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Drama on 4: Chatterton: The Allington Solution

Chatterton: The Allington Solution

01/05/2008

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Chatterton: The Allington Solution

By Peter Ackroyd. A literary historian discovers much about himself during his research.

The first radio play by historian Peter Ackroyd. Did the Romantic poet Chatterton commit suicide in 1770? Or was he killed? Historian Jeremy Allington investigates.

Who or what killed the boy genius Thomas Chatterton?

For over two hundred years, everyone thought he committed suicide, a neglected poet driven to despair. Everyone, that is, except Jeremy Allington, a literary historian, who thinks the prevailing wisdom is nonsense. Only he isn't quite as polite as that ... 

Dangerously close to losing his job and his partner, Allington is determined to prove that history is not as simple as some historians would have us believe. Set in both the present day and the 18th century, Chatterton: The Allington Solution is the first play for Radio 4 by the acclaimed writer, biographer and historian, Peter Ackroyd. 

Cast:
Thomas Chatterton ..... Benedict Cumberbatch
Jeremy Allington ..... Adrian Scarborough
Ruth ..... Rachel Bavidge
Partridge ..... David Timson
Sam Beaumont ..... Glen McCready
Mrs Angel ..... Liza Sadovy
Jackman ..... Hugh Ross
Mr Crane ..... Jonathan Keeble
Coroner ..... Hugh Dickson
Mark Lawson ..... Himself


Producer: Nicolas Soames
A Ukemi Production for BBC Radio 4.

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