Elizabeth And Essex [Drama On 3]

Elizabeth and Essex is a new play by ROBIN BROOKS, based on the writings of Lytton Strachey, about Elizabeth I and her young favourite, the Earl of Essex. It was recorded live at the Alexandra Palace Theatre, with music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, drawn from his classic score which Korngold originally composed for the 1939 movie The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, starring BETTE DAVIS as Elizabeth and ERROL FLYNN as Essex.

Korngold's music is played by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by ROBERT ZIEGLER.

The play stars SIMON RUSSELL BEALE as both Strachey, leading light of the Bloomsbury Group, and Elizabeth I. It explores the way in which Strachey gradually became absorbed in a rich fantasy life inspired by intrigue at the Tudor court, into which he drew the young man who was then the object of his affections. The two stories, of the Virgin Queen and the ageing writer, play out in parallel, with assistance from other Bloomsbury-group members, LADY OTTOLINE MORRELL and John Maynard Keynes.

Lytton Strachey - SIMON RUSSELL BEALE

Essex / Roger - Harry Lloyd

Bacon / Ottoline - Nancy Carroll

Cecil / Maynard - JULIAN HARRIES

With the BBC Concert Orchestra

Directed and Produced by Fiona McAlpine and ROBIN BROOKS

An Allegra Production

SIMON RUSSELL BEALE stars in Elizabeth and Essex, with the music of Korngold played live.