Trying It On

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BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Trying It On

Celebrated playwright David Edgar performs his autobiographical solo show.

David Edgar's performs his solo show exploring the autobiographical background to his landmark play, Maydays, from which he has created a 3 part series for Radio 4.

Award-winning playwright David Edgar made his performing debut in this solo show exploring the autobiographical background to his landmark theatre play, Maydays, which recently became a 3 part series on Radio 4. The 70-year-old is confronted by his young self 50 years after his political outlook was defined by the tumultuous events of 1968. Do they share the same beliefs?  If not, is it the world that’s changed, or him? Why did his generation vote Brexit?  Has he sold in or sold out?

David  .....  David Edgar
Younger  .....  Paul Heath

With thanks to Danielle Phillips.
Produced by Jonquil Panting

Photograph by Arnim Friess.

David Edgar is one of our greatest living playwrights, recently receiving a Writers' Guild of GB award for his Outstanding Contribution to British playwriting. He has had more than sixty of his original plays, adaptations and translations performed around the world, including for the Royal Shakespeare Company: Destiny, The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs, Maydays, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Pentecost, The Prisoner's Dilemma, Written On The Heart and A Christmas Carol, and for the National Theatre: Albert Speer and The Shape of the Table.

“What makes this show radically different is its element of unextinguished hope.”  
The Guardian

“As charming as it is challenging...Hugely stimulating.” 
The Times

“Energised with humour and humility.” 
The Stage

“Trying It On challenges us all to question our beliefs: how they originate, how they are influenced by external factors, and whether age really does mellow us.” 
What’s On Stage

Trying It On was originally made with China Plate Theatre, in a production directed by Christopher Haydon.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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