As John starts work, he studies, preaches and keeps fit - preparing to change the world.

Ian McKellen stars in the story of John Hamer Shawcross - set against the wider current of events in England in the early 19th century.

Howard Spring's novel freely adapted for radio by Ken Whitmore.

John Shawcross ...... Ian McKellen
John Shawcross as a Boy ...... Gary Carp
George Hagan ...... Charles Artingstall
Polly Burnsall ...... Romy Baskerville
Hawley ...... Graham Tennant
Lillian Artingstall ...... Elizabeth Kelly
Ellen ...... Rosalie Williams
Ian Flintoff ...... Gordon Stansfield
Hilda ...... Lesley Nicol
Arnold Ryerson ...... Andrew Jackson
Pen Muff ...... Vida Paterson
Richardson ...... Randal Herley
Ezra Crompton ...... Jimmy Bradock

Director: Trevor Hill

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1979. Show less