Steve Hawes has written THE GREAT CHARTER, which examines the dramatic events running up to the sealing of the Magna Carta by King John: it has been commissioned by Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Commemoration Committee and David Nicholas Wilkinson of Guerilla Films through their company Allington Productions.

The intention is that the play will be presented to London’s West End and many of the Magna Carta towns such as Canterbury, Bury St Edmunds, Lincoln, Oxford, Salisbury and Windsor (Runnymede).

Sir Robert comments: “When I first came to Britain many years ago, I went to the British Museum on my first morning to see the Magna Carta and the Rosetta Stone, because I had been taught that the rule of law and education are the two pillarstones of civilisation. The significance of the Magna Carta is that it provided the basis for all democratic society from free and fair elections to the basics of human rights and justice.”

While David Wilkinson says: “The power play, machinations, intrigue and historical detail that led to the creation of this piece of parchment and with it the foundation of human rights offers such an incredible rich story for the stage. THE GREAT CHARTER will play an exciting part in the whole 800th anniversary celebration and bring the Magna Carta to life for people in an entertaining and illuminating way.”

The play is part of wider celebrations that will run from 2013 to 2015 across the UK. Concerts, festivals, debates, schools competition and exhibitions at major venues such as the British Library are being produced, as well commissioned memorabilia such as a commemorative stamp and coin. A Magna Carta Day has been unanimously supported by the House of Commons.

For more information on THE GREAT CHARTER, please see: