Full-length historical drame, about 120 minutes with intermission
5m
Summary
1524. England. John Tewkesbury is a savvy trader and smuggler, smart enough to know William Tyndale’s illegal translation of the Bible will be a hot commodity. But, to sell the good book, he must elude the spies of Sir Thomas More and escape the fires of the Catholic bishops. In this true story about the struggle between dangerous information and powerful knowledge, one man journeys from merchant to martyr.
Read the first act of Fire on Earth
We recently brought the original cast back together for a reading of Act I at the Pilgrim Church in Sherborn, MA. We had a great time, and now we’re working on setting up more readings of a 50-minute cutting of Act I for churches. If you or your church might be interested, let me know.
Production History
Fire on Earth was produced by the Fresh Ink Theatre Company at the Factory Theatre in Boston, February 1-16, 2013, directed by Rebecca Bradshaw.
Readings:
- Production (and reading and workshop), Fresh Ink Theatre (2012, reading, 2013, production)
- Reading, Huntington Theatre Company, Boston, MA, 2010
- Reading, Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit, MA, 2004
- Workshop, Rough and Tumble Theatre, Boston, 2003
- Workshop, The Lida Project, Denver, 2002
Awards (as a previous version, entitled God’s Voice)
- Writer’s Digest Stage Play Competition, 9th Place, 2003
- Hanover College, Religious Playwriting Contest, Finalist, 2003
- Semi-Finalist, PlayLabs, Playwrights Center, Minneapolis, 2003
- Sonoma County Repertory Drama Competition, 4th Place, 2003
- Reva Shiner Contest, Bloomington Playwrights Project, IN, Semi-Finalist, 2003
Casting and Production Requirements
Time: Summer 1523 – October 6, 1536
Setting: England, Germany, Antwerp (Belgium)
Set: Bare stage with portable set pieces brought on as necessary (these would include a desk on wheels, a wheelbarrow, and a stake). Lots of paper and books.
