Bert Coules

Lost Empires

A stage adaptation of J B Priestley's novel, with magic, music, song, dance and comedy

In 1913, twenty year old Richard Herncastle leaves his dead-end office job and joins his uncle's headlining illusion act, touring the Empire music halls.

When I dramatised Lost Empires as a three-part radio serial, several people mentioned that it would work well on stage.

The play combines a compelling coming-of-age story and an intriguing murder mystery. The setting is the doomed golden period just before the first world war.

My script has the approval of the author's estate and I currently hold an option on the rights.