A play exploring the life of one of Harrogate’s most famous citizens premieres at the Royal Hall tomorrow — a theatre he helped to build.

Samson Fox, who died in 1903, was an inventor, philanthropist and Harrogate mayor, whose legacy is evident throughout the town.

The Man Who Captured Sunlight explores Samson’s life and controversial legal battle with author Jerome K Jerome.

Yorkshire actor Joe Standerline stars as the inventor, whose ideas had a major impact around the world.

His greatest creation, the corrugated boiler flue, saved thousands of lives and revolutionised engine construction.

His philanthropic legacy to the arts includes the creation of the Royal Hall and the Royal College of Music in London.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret at the dress rehearsal, Mr Standerline said:

“He takes interesting to another level. I feel a bit boring in comparison. There is definitely pressure to become one of the most uber human beings that has ever walked the planet. The guy was simply amazing.

“I think the people of Harrogate are definitely in for a treat. We’ve put the work in and we now get to play in this astounding theatre. Samson paid for a fair dollop of the place. We are ready now to project this piece.

“It’s part biopic, part period drama. The language in it is absolutely delicious and it’s surprisingly funny.”

As the great grandfather to actors Edward and James Fox, Samson also helped to create the UK’s most famed theatrical acting dynasty.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren have starred in major TV shows and movies, from Edward Fox in the Day of the Jackal, to Emilia Fox in Silent Witness, and Freddie Fox in The Crown.

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Freddie Fox will attend the matinee performance and take part in an audience Q&A. The actor Joanna David, Freddie’s mother, will also attend.

Freddie Fox (photo by Tavistock Wood) and Samson Fox.

Mr Standerline, who has appeared in TV series such as ITV’s Victoria, joked:

“I’ll just say I’m perfectly fine with it. There’s no pressure at all performing in front of one of the greatest acting dynasties in the whole history of cinema and the theatre.”

Mr Standerline said the people of Harrogate had been extremely welcoming. He added:

“It’s been great spending the last few weeks here, integrating ourselves into the community that we are representing. It is a responsibility and we are taking it seriously and we can’t wait to get people in these seats.”

Born into poverty

Samson was born into poverty in Bradford in 1838 and worked in the mills from the age of nine. An impresario of his day, he famously ‘bottled the sun’ as Harrogate’s streets became the first thoroughfares in the world to be lit with his Fox Water-Gas.

Samson Fox and his family.

The play, written by Doctor Who writer Gavin Collinson, charts Samson’s meteoric rise, followed by the 19th century libel trial involving the author and editor, Jerome K Jerome.

Mr Collinson told the Stray Ferret:

“What I wanted to do is show his human side, show his family, show his heart. I wanted to show everything he risked, which was his considerable fortune, to clear his name. I also wanted to look into his ambiguities. Was he a good man? Hopefully that’s something the play explores.

“When the opportunity came up to tell his story, it was something I couldn’t refuse.

“The Fox family have read the script and they were incredibly kind. I hope they enjoy it tomorrow.

“I’m in awe of all the cast. I just sit there and write the lines but they bring it to life.

“I hope the people in Harrogate will enjoy the play. It’s a cast of Northern voices. There’s a reality and celebration of where we are from and I hope people embrace that.”

Cause UK, the Harrogate-based creative agency, has produced and sponsored  the play.

The Man Who Captured Sunlight premieres in Harrogate’s Royal Hall tomorrow, with the matinee at 2.30pm and evening performance at 7pm. Buy tickets here.

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:

“Regardless of my connection with the Royal Hall, which I just think is the most amazing building anyway, I just think the notion of celebrating great new work, particularly as the story of Samson is so intrinsically tied to Harrogate, is utterly vital.”

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.

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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:

“Harrogate owes a great deal to Samson – as does the world, not just for his inventions and engineering legacy but his vital role in the arts.

“It’s fitting that the play has been written by Doctor Who writer Gavin Collinson, as it’s a bit of a time-bending scenario that without Samson, we wouldn’t have this incredible acting dynasty.

“As well as Freddie, Edward, James [and] Emilia, there’s also Robert Fox – the acclaimed theatre producer behind David Bowie’s last production, Lazarus.”

Freddie added:

“No-one would really know who Samson was, and yet if you trace the history of his inventions and the legacy of what they created now, he is probably one of the most important names in industry for this country.

“So yes, a bit of celebration of Samson’s genius is long overdue.”