Bequest To The Nation

by Terence Rattigan            Nov 2010

Cast:

Roger Trayhurn (George Matcham Snr), Jane Weston (Katherine Matcham), Max Curtis (George Matcham Jnr), Zara McCallum (Betsy), Laura Keogh (Emily), Tony Manders (Lord Nelson), Gail Sinden (Frances Lady Nelson), Shirley Dodson (Emma Hamilton), Susan Pearson (Francesca), Robert Elrick (Lord Barham), Richard Wilbourne (Lord Minto), Godfrey Room (Captain Hardy), Tom Freegard (Captain Blackwood), Terry Pidgeon (Rev William Nelson), Anne Newton (Sarah Nelson)

Producer: Clive Baker

A play based on his 1966 television play Nelson (full title - Nelson - A Portrait in Miniature), it recounts the events surrounding Horatio Nelson, his mistress Emma Hamilton, and his wife Frances Lady Nelson before, during and after the Battle of Trafalgar. Everywhere Nelson goes he is cheered yet when they see his coarse, drunken mistress they jeer. So why could he not bear to be apart from her?

The title refers to Nelson leaving Emma and their child Horatia to the nation on his death.