In order to create a piece of theatre inspired by the Lost Victorian Voices project, Buckinghamshire Archives partnered with theatre company Unbound Theatre, who commissioned local playwright and theatre maker CJ Halse to create a half hour script exploring stories uncovered by the research.

CJ and Unbound decided to focus on the story of an actor from Aylesbury called Francis Boase Broad, who led a long and fascinating life. Court records from 1899 reveal that in November of 1898, Francis spent four days in Chesham with a man called Ernest Williams, and CJ’s script imagined what might have taken place in those four days, and the relationship these men might have had.

The piece was rehearsed by actors from Unbound Theatre and premiered in a rehearsed reading at Queen’s Park Arts Centre in Aylesbury on Saturday 1st March in a performance which was recorded, and which is shared here free of charge.

Please note that the recordings contain strong language and adult themes at times.