Free Independent Drama: As We Forgive Them

As President Obama marks his first year in office, The Independent is giving you an exclusive opportunity to download an award-winning new drama about a subject that cuts to the very heart of American politics.

America, November 2008: the new President is elected amidst an ‘audacity of hope’. For newly elected Democrat Congressman, John Daniels, this should be a time of celebration. Instead he must decide the fate of his daughter’s murderer: should he exact revenge or grant redemption... or both?

WARNING: As We Forgive Them contains very strong language and adult themes

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Click here to download from iTunes

Click here for an exclusive interview with the playwright Richard Vergette

As We Forgive Them is written by Richard Vergette and is a Made in Manchester/Dark Smile Co-Production in association with Ensemble 52 for The Independent. As We Forgive Them (the audio drama) is copyright of Made in Manchester Limited.

The Cast

LEE FENTON – played by Joe Sims

Joe Sims has twice been nominated for his role as Lee Fenton in the stage version of As We Forgive Them – for Best Actor at the 24/7 Theatre Festival and Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards 2009. Joe’s TV credits Casualty, Ultimate Force, BBC Afternoon Plays, Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic, The Bone Orchard, Basil Brush and The Giblet Boys.

He has recently returned from five months filming in Indonesia where he played the head of a torture facility named Sergeant De Graffe in Margate House's forthcoming production The Red and White (Merah Putih). He is also an established stage actor and his credits include playing Tom Twist in She Stoops to Conquer (Manchester Royal Exchange), Frankenstein’s Monster in Frankenstein (Erasmus Theatre), Father Fury in God Fella's, Ad-Lib Productions (San Francisco,USA).

CONGRESSMAN JOHN DANIELS – played by Richard Vergette

Richard Vergette was a teacher and lecturer in Drama and Theatre for 20 years and now works as an actor, playwright and freelance education consultant. His one man play 'An Englishman's Home' won critical acclaim at the 24.7 Theatre Festival and later transferred to The Library Theatre in Manchester. 'As We Forgive Them' won audience favourite production at the 24.7 Theatre festival in 2009, The Vicky Allen memorial award from Equity for Best Production and The Manchester Evening News Theatre award for Best Fringe Production in 2009. Richard is currently working on a screenplay for Pylon Pictures and his new play 'Bridge of Sighs' will premier in 2010 As well as plays, Richard is also the author of two A level Drama and Theatre text books.