The Dark Tower [Drama On 3]

A new production of Louis MacNeice's play 'The Dark Tower' with music by Benjamin Britten.

Louis MacNeice's iconic verse drama, widely acknowledged to be the finest of his many works for radio and one of the most critically acclaimed radio plays of the 20th century. The play is inspired by the mythical quest in Robert Browning's mysterious poem Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, but includes strong autobiographical and even satirical elements. At its core is original music by Benjamin Britten, to whom MacNeice dedicated the published script.

Performed on 27th October 2017, in front of an audience at Orford Church, Suffolk, with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Roland....Harry Lloyd

Gavin....Matthew Tennyson

Sergeant-Trumpeter....Jude Akuwudike

Mother....Lucy Robinson

Tutor/Steward....Adrian Scarborough

Soak....Jonjo O'Neill

Blind Peter....Nicholas Murchie

Sylvie....Manjinder Virk

Priest/Officer/Stentor....Sam Dale

Neaera....Hannah Genesius

Barmaid/Clock Voice....Georgie Glen

Young Roland....William Gidney

BBC Concert Orchestra, conductor Robert Ziegler

Director, Robin Brooks

Producer, Fiona McAlpine.

Roland.... Harry Lloyd

Gavin.... Matthew Tennyson

Sergeant-Trumpeter.... Jude Akuwudike

Mother.... Lucy Robinson

Soak.... Jonjo O'Neill

Blind Peter.... Nicholas Murchie

Sylvie.... Manjinder Virk

Priest/Officer/Stentor.... Sam Dale

Neaera.... Hannah Genesius

Barmaid/Clock Voice.... Georgie Glen

Young Roland.... William Gidney

A new production of Louis MacNeice's play The Dark Tower, with music by Benjamin Britten.

Louis MacNeice's iconic verse drama, widely acknowledged to be the finest of his many works for radio and one of the most critically acclaimed radio plays of the 20th century. The play is inspired by the mythical quest in Robert Browning's mysterious poem 'Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came', but includes strong autobiographical and even satirical elements. At its core is original music by Benjamin Britten, to whom MacNeice dedicated the published script.