In The Depths Of Dead Love [Drama On 3]

Richard E Grant plays a banished poet in ancient China. A new play by Howard Barker.

Richard E Grant plays Chin, a banished poet in Howard Barker's new play set in ancient China. Chin has bought a bottomless well used by unhappy locals to end their troubles by throwing themselves in. His tiny industry is thriving. Then the beautiful Hasi appears. She seems disinclined to jump. And Chin begins to hope she won't...

In this exceptional new piece, Barker has created a dramatic, and often darkly comic, dilemma. Chin has been banished from the city but longs to return. Lord Ghang, a local grandee, can help him realise this wish, but at a high price: a compromise involving his wife, Lady Hasi. And now Chin has fallen in love with the doomed beauty.

Barker's study is a beautiful, darkly funny look at marriage and its secrets. Chin struggles to fathom Lord Ghang's complex and ambiguous love for his wife. If he truly loves her, why does he stand by as she visits Chin's well daily, contemplating throwing herself in?

Original music specially composed by the 2013 Ivor Novello Award winner for Classical Music, Errollyn Wallen.

Richard E Grant plays Chin, a banished poet, in Howard Barker's dark comedy set in ancient China. Chin has bought a bottomless well used by unhappy locals to end their troubles by throwing themselves in. His tiny industry is thriving. Then the beautiful Hasi appears. She seems disinclined to jump. And Chin begins to hope she won't...

First broadcast in December 2013.

Howard Barker's dark comedy, with Richard E Grant playing a banished poet in ancient China