The Dark Earth and the Light Sky

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James D'Arcy

Robert Evans

Charlotte Emmerson

Sylvestra Le Touzel

Alan Davis

Nicholas Boulton

Celia de Wolff

Nick Dear

Drama on 4: Nick Dear - The Dark Earth and the Light Sky

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08/04/2017

Nick Dear - The Dark Earth and the Light Sky

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Nick Dear - The Dark Earth and the Light Sky

A moving exploration of the years leading up to the death of poet Edward Thomas.

4 Extra Debut. An exploration of the poet Edward Thomas’s relationships with Robert Frost, Eleanor Farjeon and wife Helen. Stars James D’Arcy.

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.

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