Details

Manipulative media, bankers behaving badly, and plans for a royal wedding... welcome to Victorian San Francisco. In this strangely familiar world, an eccentric Englishman rules as Norton the First, Emperor of the United States. At least he thinks he does. And his new dynasty needs an heir. So when a Russian Countess and her English secretary suddenly arrive and announce that they are ready to talk marriage, it could be time for the wedding of the century. That's if the Emperor's official imperial bank doesn't collapse, or his official imperial newspaper doesn't cause a diplomatic incident. Or he doesn't get sent to prison. Based loosely around the incredible life and times of Joshua Abraham Norton - the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States, a loveable fantasist who, having had his whimsical declaration of leadership declared in the San Francisco Bulletin, warmly engaged a whole city who humoured to the degree that currency was printed in his name and accepted at the establishments he frequented.

Cast/Performers

David Janson (Emperor Norton), Zoe Teverson (Claire Greenleaf), Lucinda Forth (Violet Allerton), William Findley (T. Preston Booth), Stephen Cavanagh (Frank Tremont)

Creatives/Company

Author: Mark Giesser
Presented by: Alces Productions
Director(s): Mark Giesser, Rishi Chatrath (assistant), Richard Evans (casting)
Design: Christopher Hone
Lighting: Seth Rook Williams