Theatre by the Lake has announced full casting for the world première of Nicholas Pierpan’s play William Wordsworth.
It’s Spring 1812 and in the parlour of Grasmere Rectory amongst the piles of washing, smoking chimneys and children running riot, William Wordsworth writes. It’s been years since Lyrical Ballads and money is tight. Much to the dismay of his sister Dorothy, Wordsworth is not penning his long awaited next book of verse but a letter to his friend Coleridge attempting a reconciliation to their fractured relationship.
Coleridge has been busy trampling Wordsworth’s reputation amongst the literary elite down in London, but the Wordsworth family have more pressing problems than protecting William’s reputation. Conditions in the family home are so bad that his wife has fled for the health of their new-born baby. With no money coming in, the daily dilemma of having freedom to pursue his art while providing for his family is reaching breaking point.
Nicholas Pierpan’s poignant new play looks at the man behind the name and explores how some of the most beautiful and startling poetry in history came to be created.
William Wordsworth Cast includes:
Daniel Abelson plays Coleridge.
Amiera Darwish plays Sara.
Richard Evans plays Atkinson/Elderly Man.
Joseph Mydell plays George Beaumont.
Emma Pallant plays Dorothy.
Paul Ryan plays Peter Garner/Lonsdale’s Secretary.
John Sackville plays Wordsworth.
Rosalind Steele plays Mrs Coleridge.
Terence Wilton plays Lord Lonsdale/Beggar Man.
A co-production with English Touring Theatre, William Wordsworth opens at Theatre by the Lake on 4 April and runs until 22 April.
