Rough Magick
A comedic drama set in 1605 in which, fearing terrorist activity, King James transports his court to the Scottish Highlands
- Genre
- Comedy Drama
- Broadcast
- 2012
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Episodes
- 1
- Starring
- John Paul Hurley, Richard Conlon and Sally Reid
- Writer
- Marty Ross
- Producer
- David Ian Neville
A comedic drama by Marty Ross set in 1605 in the Scottish Highlands, in which the Royal playwright saves King James from assassination and attempts to save a girl from being burnt as a witch.
Fearing further terrorist activity following the gunpowder plot, King James transports his court to the Scottish Highlands, complete with The King's Men, his favoured theatre company.
This includes middle-aged, careworn, neurotic and pox-troubled playwright William Shaxberd - although he prefers 'Shakespeare'.
When the Royal wagons get bogged down on the moors and a seemingly supernatural attempt is made on the life of the paranoid, superstitious James, a local woman, Shona, is accused of witchcraft.
Yet Shaxberd owes Shona a debt and uses all his ingenuity and gift for theatre to help her escape the gallows.
- Production company
- Laugh track
- None
Broadcast details
- First broadcast
- Thursday 12th April 2012 on BBC Radio 4 at 2:15pm
- Episode length
- 45 minutes
- Last repeat
- Thursday 9th October 2014 at 2:15pm