Dangerous To Know

July 1841, St Mary Magdalene Church, Hucknall Torkard.

Claire Clairmont, Lord Byron’s former mistress, has just laid her mother to rest before heading back to Europe. However, a secret passed to Claire at the funeral has raked up painful memories about their scandalous affair and a nagging conviction that she must uncover the truth.

Resolving she cannot do this alone, Claire co-opts her half sister, Mary Shelley, author of ‘Frankenstein’ to help. After all, Mary was part of the Byron set; she’ll know what to do. However, the past is sordid, murky and digging for answers requires getting your hands dirty. Are they prepared for what will be unearthed?

‘Dangerous to Know’ was published by Methuen in 2024. The 60 minute show is followed by an interval and a lively 20 minute after-show presentation/ Q & A which fleshes out the main characters of the play – Mary Shelley, Claire Clairmont, Lord Byron, Leigh Hunt, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Allegra Byron.