Dirty tricks are played by a ruthless opponent - how will Labour fare in the by-election?

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, Viscount Liskeard ...... Peter Guinness
Jimmy Newboult ...... John Baldwin
Sergeant Newboult ...... Tom Harrison
Ellen Stansfield ...... Rosalie Williams
Edith Ryerson ...... Ann Rye
Hawley Artingstall ...... Graham Tennant
Hilda ...... Lesley Nicol
Election Official ...... Anthony Wingate

Director: Trevor Hill

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