A Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy in Words and Music

Anton Lesser 

Anton Lesser is one of our best-loved actors. His renowned body of work includes Theatre, Film and TV.  His role as Thomas More in Wolf Hall earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other credits include Qyburn in Game of Thrones, Harold Macmillan in The Crown, Endeavour, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger Tides. Anton also has one of the country’s best-known voices, thanks to his extensive work with BBC Radio (including Falco) and audiobooks, including most of Dickens’ novels. An Associate of the RSC, Anton is currently appearing in Rupert Goold’s Hamlet at the RSC,  Stratford-upon-Avon.   

Lucia Bonbright 

Lucia Bonbright is a recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. During her time at RADA, Lucia’s credits included Spring Awakening, Pomona and A Winter’s Tale. She will be appearing in Lena Dunham’s forthcoming Netflix series, Too Much. Lucia previously studied English Literature at Wesleyan University (USA) and University of Oxford. 

Deirdre Shields, Writer 

Deirdre has written Words and Music shows for Anton Lesser, Alexander Armstrong, and Harriet Walter. She works with Hambletts, developing new projects, the latest being GEORGE Eliot in Words and Music, with Harriet Walter and SuRie. Current touring productions include Red Sky at Sunrise – Laurie Lee in Words and Music 

Orchestra of the Swan 

Orchestra of the Swan, under the Artistic Direction of David Le Page, captivates audiences through a blend of experimentation with both classical and non-classical music, offering performances that are innovative and unique. The orchestra works with outstanding collaborators and international soloists, melding their unique orchestral sound with folk, jazz and world music, making ‘orchestral’ music more accessible. The Orchestra has been in the Top 40 Classical Charts for their last five albums, was nominated for a Grammy award in 2022, and enjoys a 14 million global audio streaming audience. 

David Le Page 

David is Artistic Director of Orchestra of the Swan, the Hanborough Concerts and the Le Page Ensemble. Born on the island of Guernsey, David Le Page began playing the violin at the age of seven. He was offered a place at the Yehudi Menuhin School aged twelve and has since forged a diverse career as a performer and composer. His eclectic approach to writing, arranging and performing has been formed by an interest in many musical genres, from baroque and folk to jazz, contemporary classical and experimental rock, pop and electronica.  

Hambletts, Producer 

Led by David Hamblett and Judy Reaves, Hambletts specialise in producing exciting new projects, taking them to unusual spaces and creating new audiences.  Hambletts create exceptional words and music productions, in collaboration with Orchestra of the Swan and scriptwriter, Deirdre Shields.  Red Sky at Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words and Music (starring Anton Lesser) sold out the RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon; Oxford Playhouse, Salisbury International Arts Festival, Saffron Hall, and Buxton Opera House, and featured on BBC Radio 4 Today, Radio 3 and 6Music. Also touring GEORGE Eliot in Words and Music, with Harriet Walter and SuRie, Dear Loll with Daisy Waterstone, and A Christmas Carol with Anton Lesser.