David Gooderson: Playwright, Actor
Director
Drama Tutor
The Castaway One-man play.
About the poet William Cowper
About the Stage Play
Synopsis
Dissolute law student, ‘hellfire’ preacher, witty poet, manic depressive: The Castaway charts the life of poet William Cowper (1731-1800) who wrote John Gilpin, one of the most celebrated comic ballads in the English language and one of the most beautiful hymns, “God moves in a mysterious way”. But he was filled with such manic self-loathing that he was driven almost to suicide and died in lonely despair.
Reviews
David Gooderson made the man and his writing come alive completely
The Stage
An ideal subject for intimate theatre…his dramatisation of John Gilpin was highly amusing and enjoyable
Derby Evening Telegraph
A memorable evening indeed!
Northampton Chronicle
Performances
This one-man play was first performed by David Gooderson at the Merton Festival, London, in May 1974.
David adapted and performed a shortened version on BBC television in February 1975.
David performed the play more than 60 times in venues up and down the country, including a three-week run at Upstream Theatre in London, in 1978.
Playwright
The Castaway was written by David Gooderson.
Authenticity
The play is based entirely on William Cowper’s poems and letters.
William Cowper & John Gilpin
For brief details, rest mouse over image
Performing Rights
For all enquiries about performing rights, whether professional or amateur, contact David’s Literary Agent:
Mike Sharland at The Sharland Organisation via…
e-Mail: tso@btconnect.com
Tel: +44 (0)1933 626600
No public performance of this play can be given unless a licence is obtained before rehearsals begin.
To Contact David
e-Mail: david@david-gooderson.co.uk