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28
Aug 2022
Famous acting family set for play premiere in Harrogate
Members of an acting dynasty will be in Harrogate next month for the premiere of a play about their ancestor.
Samson Fox will be the focus for The Man Who Captured Sunlight at the Royal Hall, exploring the inventor's life and his controversial legal battle with author Jerome K Jerome.
The play has been penned by Doctor Who writer Gavin Collinson and aims to celebrate the former mayor of Harrogate's achievements - including building the Royal Hall.
It will be seen by Samson Fox's great great grandson, the actor Freddie Fox, and his mother and fellow actor Joanna David, as well as other members of the famous family.
They will take part in a Q&A after the matinee on Friday, September 23, along with the actors and director Sian Murray.
Freddie, recently known for playing Mark Thatcher in Netflix series The Crown, said:
Samson Fox grew up in poverty but went on to become a wealthy man and renowned inventor, responsible for revolutionising train travel, engine construction and street lighting.
On his death in 1903, King Edward VII sent a telegram of condolence to his adopted home town of Harrogate - but that, along with many of his other letters, medals and awards, were lost or destroyed over the years.
Read more:
- Free heritage days revealed for Harrogate
- 'My 50-year friendship with kind, generous Malcolm Neesam'
The late Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam found the royal telegram disintegrating in a skip when much of the former mayor's heritage was ripped out in the 1970s.
Now, however, his story is being brought to life in a new play produced by Harrogate agency Cause UK. Director Clair Challenor-Chadwick said:
Freddie added:
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