Discover the Untold Secrets of Lord Byron Dangerous to Know at The Quay Theatre
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On Friday, 27th September, The Quay Theatre, Sudbury, will host Dangerous to Know, a new play marking 200 years since the death of Lord Byron. This thought-provoking drama offers a fresh look at Byron’s tangled personal life, while centring on the often-overlooked women who were closest to him.
The play is set in July 1841 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Hucknall Torkard, where Claire Clairmont, Byron’s former mistress, has just buried her mother. A secret revealed at the funeral brings painful memories flooding back, and Claire becomes determined to uncover the truth about her scandalous past with Byron. Needing support, she turns to her stepsister, Mary Shelley, the celebrated author of Frankenstein, to help her dig through a murky history filled with deceit, anguish, and unspoken truths.
But the past is dark, and confronting it may require more than they expect. As they sift through memories and secrets, they come face-to-face with the moral and emotional complexities of their own lives. Can they handle the truth they are so determined to find?
Written and performed by Deborah Clair, Dangerous to Know sheds light on two remarkable women who lived in the shadows of powerful men, yet defied society’s rigid expectations. Clair, who also plays the role of Mary Shelley, is the director of CLAIR/OBSCUR, a female-led theatre company dedicated to showcasing inspirational women from history. The play is directed by Lucy Speed, well-known for her roles in EastEnders and The Bill, and currently starring in The Archers.
Deborah Clair comments, “Mary Shelley and Claire Clairmont lived in a world that dictated women’s roles as wives. Any deviation from that path was perilous. These women made unconventional choices—elopement, travelling, having children out of wedlock—and their lives straddled the Romantic and Victorian eras, leaving society unsure how to handle them.”
With its compelling story and powerful performances, Dangerous to Know promises an unforgettable evening of theatre. Tickets are now on sale—secure yours to experience this gripping play that explores the untold legacies of Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, and Claire Clairmont.
