Nick Dear - The Dark Earth and the Light Sky
4 Extra Debut. An exploration of the poet Edward Thomas’s relationships with Robert Frost, Eleanor Farjeon and wife Helen. Stars James D’Arcy.
A moving account of the years leading up to the death of the poet Edward Thomas. Nick Dear's play explores Thomas' relationships with the American poet Robert Frost, who became his mentor and close friend, and British author and poet Eleanor Farjeon, with whom he shared a mutual adoration.
We also journey into his somewhat uneasy marriage with Helen Thomas who suffered at the hands of both these relationships as well as having to suffer the effects of Thomas' regular bouts of grim depression.
We eventually discover that Thomas' great passion for nature and the countryside was the real reason for him signing up to go to War - his overwhelming need to protect The Dark Earth and The Light Sky.
CAST:
Edward Thomas .... James D'Arcy
Robert Frost .... Rupert Evans
Helen Thomas .... Charlotte Emmerson
Eleanor Farjeon .... Sylvestra le Touzel
Philip Thomas .... Alan David
Bott/Major Lushington .... Nicholas Boulton
Originally produced by the Almeida Theatre Company
Director: Celia de Wolff
A Pier production for ±«Óãtv Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2017.
Last on
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In Pursuit of Edward Thomas
Matthew Hollis follows Edward Thomas's 1913 journey to the south west and towards poetry.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Edward Thomas | James D'Arcy |
| Robert Frost | Robert Evans |
| Helen Thomas | Charlotte Emmerson |
| Eleanor Farjeon | Sylvestra Le Touzel |
| Philip Thomas | Alan Davis |
| Bott | Nicholas Boulton |
| Major Lushington | Nicholas Boulton |
| Director | Celia de Wolff |
| Writer | Nick Dear |
Broadcasts
Sat 8 Apr 2017 14:30±«Óãtv Radio 4- Sat 15 Sep 2018 14:30±«Óãtv Radio 4
- Sat 18 Sep 2021 06:00±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 18 Sep 2021 16:00±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 19 Sep 2021 04:00±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
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