Trial by Laughter 

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman's comedy drama based on the real trial transcripts.

William Hone is the forgotten hero of free speech in Britain.

He was a bookseller, publisher and satirist. In 1817, he stood trial for 'impious blasphemy and seditious libel’.

His crime 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.

Hone ...... Robert Wilfort

Prince Regent ...... Arthur Bostrom

Cruikshank ...... Conrad Nelson

Ellenborough ...... Jonathan Keeble

Shepherd ...... David Benson

Abbott ...... Malcolm Raeburn

Lady Hertford ...... Melissa Sinden

Sarah ...... Fiona Clarke

Reporter ...... Graeme Hawley

Clerk ...... Graeme Hawley

Original music by Conrad Nelson

Director: Gary Brown

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