Gold's Fool

BBC Radio 4

20 Aug 2008 14:15

Paul B Davies's play is based on the story of how Elizabeth I mounted a reckless foreign adventure, convinced that in the Arctic there was enough gold to make the nation as wealthy as Spain. The finest alchemical technology was used to prove that the black rocks of Baffin Island were rich in precious ore. In a series of voyages, former pirate Martin Frobisher was sent to the frozen wastes to bring back as much of the rock as he could. Unfortunately, the alchemists were mistaken.

Frobisher ...... Roger Lloyd Pack
Michael Lok ...... John McAndrew
Elizabeth I ...... Phyllida Nash
Sir Francis Walsingham ...... Christian Rodska
Williams ...... Peter Ellis
Schutz ...... Kenneth Collard
Hall ...... Chris Donelly
Sarah ...... Susie Riddell

Directed by Sara Davies.