Episode 57. Andrew Harrison: Riding Lights and One-Man Plays

SYNOPSIS

This episode continues the exploration of the idea expressed by the theatrical impresario, Lilian Baylis (Episode 20): ‘the theatre - the church, it’s the same thing’. Andrew Harrison began his acting career with Riding Lights Theatre Company in 1980, an acting troupe associated with St Michael le Belfry, York, and founded a few years earlier by the producer and director, Paul Burbridge, the playwright, Murray Watts, and the actor and poet, Nigel Forde (Episode 42). One purpose of Riding Lights was to restore artistry of the highest quality to religious drama, as seen in the work of the novelist and translator, Dorothy L Sayers (Episode 52) in an earlier generation.

Following the trajectory of Andrew’s career, the episode follows the widening range of material covered by Riding Lights as it performed at the Edinburgh Festival, then toured nationally and internationally. It traces the developing partnership between Andrew Harrison as lead actor and Murray Watts as playwright, starting with playlets, before developing into the commissioning of one-man plays in which Andrew plays the protagonist and all other parts.

Mr Darwin’s Tree was originally commissioned to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and premiered in Westminster Abbey. A separate exploration of science and faith. Fire From Heaven: Michael Faraday and the Dawn of the Electrical Age has toured since 2021. Andrew and Murray’s most recent collaboration , The Beloved Son, explores the life of Henri Nouwen, the Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer, professor and theologian.

GUESTS

Andrew Harrison made his repertory debut in Exeter playing the leads in ‘A Chorus of Disapproval’ and ‘Serious Money’. In the theatre he has toured nationally with Dame Penelope Kieth in ‘Glyn’ and ‘It’. Film credits include ‘An Ideal Husband’, ‘Dorian Gray’, ‘The Sea Change’ and ‘A Little Loving’. TV credits include .’The Life of Pepys’, ‘Miss Marple’, ‘Beyond Narnia’ and ‘Summer in Transylvania’.

Simon’s interview with Andrew Harrison was recorded at Andrew’s London home on 17 September 2024.