JUNE 15th 2015 is MAGNA CARTA DAY!
A couple of weeks ago I had the great pleasure of meeting and working with actor GARETH THOMAS, perhaps best known for playing ROJ BLAKE in the British Sci-Fi series 'BLAKE'S 7' (1978-1981). It was such a tremendous thrill for me to work with Gareth as I was a big fan of the series growing up as a teenager.
What was the occasion I hear you ask?! Well ... the good folk at the BBC Audio Drama Award Winning SPITEFUL PUPPET had been commissioned by Salisbury Cathedral to produce a standalone audio drama for visitors to listen to as they walk around the new exhibition to mark the 800th Anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. The 30 minute drama entitled 'MAGNA CARTA: LEGACY' was terrific fun to record and listening to the final result it's fair to say that Spiteful Puppet have produced yet another authentic period piece! No surprise really after their wonderful work on the Robin Hood reboot 'HOOD', which I was fortunate to work on with them playing BROTHER TUCK.
Cast from left to right: Gareth Thomas, Sean Connolly, Peter Greenall, Damian Cooper and Ian Brooker. The director was Iain Meadows and the play was written by Kelly Dobitz.
Four members of the 'HOOD' cast were involved in recording the Magna Carta piece, joined of course by Gareth. The play (as does the exhibition) explores the link between Elias of Dereham (Gareth Thomas), the right hand man of Archbishop Stephen Langton (me!) and a key negotiator between the Barons and the King, and Salisbury Cathedral’s Magna Carta. Present at Runnymede, Elias had the responsibility of distributing the charter across England in 1215 and began masterminding the construction of Salisbury Cathedral five years later.
The cathedral now is home to the "finest preserved" of the four original copies of the historic charter. Signed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, it is seen as the foundation of constitutional law in England. Outlining basic rights with the principle that no-one was above the law, including the king, the Magna Carta charted the right to a fair trial and limits on taxation without representation.
The cathedral now is home to the "finest preserved" of the four original copies of the historic charter. Signed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, it is seen as the foundation of constitutional law in England. Outlining basic rights with the principle that no-one was above the law, including the king, the Magna Carta charted the right to a fair trial and limits on taxation without representation.
