The Essay

Toby Jones stars as Hans Christian Andersen in five fairy-tale adaptations by Lucy Catherine that shine a light into the dark regions of the author’s mind. Each of the dramas is introduced by best-selling author and fairy-tale aficionado, Joanne Harris. A power-hungry prince ignores the voices of reason as he embarks on a campaign of dominion over all things. The Prince ….. Craig Parkinson Captain of the Guard ….. Ian Conningham Enemy Emissary ….. Ikky Elyas Keeper of the Coin ….. Greg Jones Advisors ….. Clive Hayward and Jessica Turner Directed by Gemma Jenkins

Toby Jones stars as Hans Christian Andersen in five fairy tale adaptations by Lucy Catherine that shine a light into the dark regions of the author’s mind. Each of the dramas is introduced by best-selling author and fairy-tale aficionado, Joanne Harris. Rudy hovers on the brink of romantic happiness but first he must face the ice maiden. One of the inspirations for Frozen but here, in Andersen’s original, Elsa is a far more terrifying creation. Rudy ….. Joseph Ayre Babette ….. Sinead MacInnes Ice Maiden ….. Laura Christie Miller ….. Ian Conningham Cat ….. Clive Hayward Directed by Gemma Jenkins

Toby Jones stars as Hans Christian Andersen in five fairy-tale adaptations by Lucy Catherine that shine a light into the dark regions of the author’s mind. Each of the dramas is introduced by best-selling author and fairy-tale aficionado, Joanne Harris. A son rejected by his mother is given a way to exact retribution. Andersen’s own troubled relationship with his mother and his experience of childhood bullying infuse this tale of haunting strangeness. Anne ….. Amanda Hale Mrs E ….. Heather Craney Son ….. Will Kirk Skipper ….. Adam Courting Directed by Gemma Jenkins

Toby Jones stars as Hans Christian Andersen in five fairy-tale adaptations by Lucy Catherine that shine a light into the dark regions of the author’s mind. Each of the dramas is introduced by best-selling author and fairy-tale aficionado, Joanne Harris. A young girl’s escape from poverty comes at a terrible price. The antiheroine in this vicious tale was based on Andersen’s loathed half sister. Karen ….. Shannon Tarbet Lady ….. Jessica Turner Mirror ….. Sinead MacInnes Soldier ….. Ian Conningham Shoemaker’s Wife ….. Lucy Reynolds Reverend ….. Clive Hayward Executioner ….. Neil McCaul Directed by Gemma Jenkins

Toby Jones stars as Hans Christian Andersen in five fairy-tale adaptations by Lucy Catherine that shine a light into the dark regions of the author’s mind. Each of the dramas is introduced by best-selling author and fairy-tale aficionado, Joanne Harris. A foolish king barters his daughter’s happiness when he issues a proclamation. King ….. Clive Hayward Princess ….. Scarlett Courtney Nicholas ….. Greg Jones Vandal ….. Ian Conningham Lord Chamberlain ….. Adam Courting Nightwatchman and Moses ….. Neil McCaul Directed by Gemma Jenkins Hans Christian Andersen jettisons the conventions of fairy tale logic, giving his characters realistic motivations for why they do what they do. He directly links the fantastical with the psychological . He subverts fairy tale logic whereby the good are beautiful and the bad, ugly. Without him, every fairy tale would end happily ever after and the true power of the genre might never have been realised. Andersen acts as a tour guide, embarking on a journey through his imagination as he attempts to identify the source of his creativity. The series delves into the darker tales including the later stories that anticipate Surrealism and Freud.