A moving account of the years leading up to the death of the poet Edward Thomas. Nick Dear's play explores Thomas' relationships with the American poet Robert Frost, who became his mentor and close friend, and British author and poet Eleanor Farjeon, with whom he shared a mutual adoration.

We also journey into his somewhat uneasy marriage with Helen Thomas who suffered at the hands of both these relationships as well as having to suffer the effects of Thomas' regular bouts of grim depression.

We eventually discover that Thomas' great passion for nature and the countryside was the real reason for him signing up to go to War - his overwhelming need to protect The Dark Earth and The Light Sky.

CAST:

Edward Thomas .... James D'Arcy
Robert Frost .... Rupert Evans
Helen Thomas .... Charlotte Emmerson
Eleanor Farjeon .... Sylvestra le Touzel
Philip Thomas .... Alan David
Bott/Major Lushington .... Nicholas Boulton

Originally produced by the Almeida Theatre Company

Director: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2017. Show less