John's political pursuits lead him to Westminster and Welsh valley mines.

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 by Ken Whitmore.

John Shawcross ...... Ian McKellen
Tom Hannaway ...... Geoffrey Wheeler
Lord Lostwithiel of Hereward Castle ...... Jeffrey Wickham
Lady Lettice Melland ...... Helen Ryan
Anne Artingstall ...... June Barry
Lizzie Lightowler ...... Rosalie Crutchley
Arnold Ryerson ...... Andrew Jackson
Pen Muff ...... Vida Paterson
Harry Liskeard ...... Peter Guinness
Jimmy Newboult ...... John Baldwin
Ellen Stansfield ...... Rosalie Williams
Edith Ryerson ...... Ann Rye
Nell Richards ...... Nina Holloway
Marsden ...... Herbert Smith
Carrickfergus ...... James Tomlinson
Evan Vaughan ...... Richard Clay-Jones
Gallery Assistant ...... Rory Scase

Director: Trevor Hill

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