Actors & Writers London: Only a Fool by Michael Johnson

Actors and Writers London (awl) cannot accept responsibility for any issues arising from any personal content of any page of this web-site. Click here or scroll down for further information.

Only a Fool by Michael Johnson To be read by awl on Monday 20th September 2004 In 1817 William Hone, a publisher of the contemporary equivalent of Private Eye, wrote four pamphlets mocking the government of the day -- parodies on the Catechism, the Litany, St Athanasius Creed, and the Te Deum. These were immensley popular and, despite withdrawing them of his own volition after only a few weeks, he was arrested, released and subsequently tried for blasphemous, seditious libel. This play covers the period from the publication to the end of the legal process.
William Hone (35-40) An amazingly well-read writer, publisher and bookseller with a strong social conscience	Clive Ward
Mrs Hone Wife (35-40) An extremely competent wife and mother of eight children.	Victoria Kempton
Lord Ellenborough Lord Chief Justice of England (Late 60s). One of the rudest and most objectional members of the House of Lords, renowned for his vile language. An arrogant bully	Roger-Ashton Griffiths
Sir Samuel Shepherd Attorney General (aged 50-60) Slightly deaf and of a nervous disposition. He, at least, is concerned that justice be done. (The actor who plays this part also plays Mr Hone's father, an intolerant religious bigot.)	Hayward Morse
Lord Sidmouth Home Secretary (aged 50-60). A devious politician, not averse to the use of agent provocateurs in achieving his ends. (The actor of thos part also plays Jonathan Wooler: 50s. Another radical publisher and a friend of Hone. Also imprisoned on remand for libel of two of His Majesty's ministers.)	Jeremy Wilkin
Fanny A friend and servant of Mr and Mrs Hone.	Gilda Waugh
Mr Oliver A spy for Lord Sidmouth. Mean, devious, grasping. (The actor who plays this part also plays a bishop, and usher and a servant.)	Mike Goodenough
Directed by	Emilie Brothers

Click anywhere in the photographic border to return to the top of the page

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Actors and Writers London (awl) cannot accept responsibility for any issues arising from the biographical or photographic content of any page of this web-site.

All personal information about awl members in this web-site is supplied by the individuals themselves. awl accepts individuals' photographs for publication in this web-site in good faith that either

any photograph submitted for publication in this web-site is the intellectual property of the member pictured in the photograph or
the member pictured in the photograph has secured an appropriate licence whereby the photograph may be legally published in this web-site.

awl accepts photographs of and other information about individuals for publication in this web-site exclusively subject to the conditions that

the individual accepts full personal responsibility for all issues arising from the publication of any personal photographs or other personal information such as the individual may provide to awl for the purpose of publication in this web-site.
the individual agrees to hold awl harmless in the event of any legal challenge whatsoever arising from the publication in this web-site of any personal photographs or other personal information pertaining to the individual.