A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Trial by Laughter
Full-Length Play, Comedy / 2f, 6m
Following critical acclaim for The Wipers Times, Ian Hislop and
Nick Newman have once again taken inspiration from real life events
for their new play Trial by Laughter.
William Hone, the forgotten hero of free speech, was a
bookseller, publisher and satirist.
In 1817, he stood trial for ‘impious blasphemy and seditious libel’. The only crime he had committed was to be funny. Worse than that he was funny by parodying religious texts. And worst of all, he was funny about the despotic government and the libidinous monarchy.
A Watermill Theatre production.
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Cast Size
2f, 6m -
Subgenre
Docudrama/History -
Target Audience
Appropriate for All Audiences
Details
Summary
William Hone, the forgotten hero of free speech, was a bookseller, publisher and satirist.
In 1817, he stood trial for ‘impious blasphemy and seditious libel’. The only crime he had committed was to be funny. Worse than that he was funny by parodying religious texts. And worst of all, he was funny about the despotic government and the libidinous monarchy.
A Watermill Theatre production.
History
Cast Attributes
- Time Period 19th Century
- Features Period Costumes
Media
"Defiance and satire done with gusto." - The Daily Mail
"A David v Goliath celebration of dissent" - The Daily Telegraph
Licensing & Materials
- Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
Authors
Nick Newman
Nick Newman is an award-winning cartoonist and writer. He has worked for Private Eye since 1981 and has been pocket cartoonist for The Sunday Times since 1989. His cartoons have appeared in many other publications including The Guardian, Punch and The Spectator. He was The Ca ...