PRIDE
Kingston Lacy –
Since 14th July 2023
In 1841, William John Bankes was forced into exile due to his homosexuality, at a time when it was a crime still punishable by death.
He would never return to Kingston Lacy, his home in Dorset, where William John had spent years cultivating one of the country’s most exciting and eccentric collections of art and artefacts.
But what if he did? Just for one night?
Commissioned by the National Trust, PRIDE is an immersive audio drama that invites visitors to rediscover William John’s tragic story and see the house through his eyes.
Cast and Creatives
William John Bankes – Neil James
Anne Bankes – Melody Fisher
Seymour & George Bankes – Jamie Lee-Hill
Sarah – India Murray
Writer – Naomi Denny
Writer and Director – Rohan Gotobed
Producer – Olivia Tetlow
Composer and Sound Designer – Freddie Lewis
Reviews
“A tour-de force…
Each scene was pacy, with convincing characters and punctuated with facts that never felt shoehorned in.
It’s a fun way to explore our famously stately pile at your own pace, with insights into the lavish contents as well as the complex and eccentric William John Bankes himself.”
— New Stour & Avon Magazine
“This audio drama adds so much to the visitor experience, and I would urge people to take advantage of it.”
— Dorset View
“Dorsetborn highlights the struggles and fear forced upon men for simply being true to themselves. Gay rights and freedoms only began the journey for equality in 1967 and the fight continues today for equality in the LGBTQ communities as people quite rightly so want the freedom to being themselves without fear of harm and persecution.
The depth of research and care that has gone into this 45-minute audio tour is a credit to the theatre company, adding another depth to the tapestry of Kingston Lacy’s history.”
— Elaine Chapman
Dorsetborn 