Dennis Herdman

Vincentio, Duke of Vienna, disgusted by the immorality in his city, announces his withdrawal from public life and leaves his deputy, the puritanical Angelo, in charge. Angelo, in his zeal for observing the letter of the law, begins a ruthless programme to stamp out sexual licence, in the course of which he condemns one Claudio to death. Surely Claudio’s virginal sister Isabella, a novice nun seeking mercy for her brother, could not awake the lust of this cold, censorious man?

When a procession of Norman soldiers escort a group of prisoners through the depths of the forest, they are ambushed by a band of bloodthirsty thugs. The Normans routed and shown no mercy, a captive minstrel manages to trade his life for a song. Composed on the spot, he promises his attackers immortality through the ages. But sometimes legends are born by accident, and history can play a game of Chinese whispers with the truth.

Thom has written a play, an epic set in the French Revolution called A Tight Squeeze for the Scarlet Pimple. Dennis, on the other hand, wants to continue with their double act. He believes that if they perform a tribute to Morecambe and Wise, Thom’s confidence will be restored and the double act will go on. But first Dennis needs to persuade a guest star to appear in the play what Thom wrote…