Details

In the hot summer of 1925, the famous "Monkey Trial" took place in Dayton, Tennessee. A young teacher was accused of violating The Butler Act, which restricted the teaching of evolution in state-funded schools. The defence featured famous attorney Clarence Darrow, the prosecution starred the celebrated orator, populist, & three-time Democratic Presidential candidate Jennings Bryan. Nearly two hundred reporters descended upon the town. For the first time news of an American trial was broadcast by radio, and thousands of people went to Drayton to see the carnival for themselves. Thirty years later, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee dramatised these events into a play: Inherit the Wind. Now a classic of American theatre, it was also made into an acclaimed movie in 1960 - directed by Stanley Kramer and starring Spencer Tracy and Frederic March.

Creatives/Company

Author(s): Jerome Lawrence, Robert E Lee
Producer: Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Director: Wyn Jones
Design: Susannah Henry