Thomas and the King

It opened at Her Majesty's Theatre London, 16 October 1975 to poor reviews and failed to make it to Broadway.

The cast included James Smilie, Richard Johnson, Caroline Villiers, Martin McEvoy, and Dilys Hamlett.

The story begins with a (Pilgrimage Procession), led by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine on her way to Canterbury through a wooded area where King Henry II has been pursuing peasant wenches.

At a council meeting, in a challenge to the Archbishop, Henry makes Thomas the Lord Chancellor, bridging the gap between church and state.

However, to gain popularity again with the people of England Henry decides to make Thomas the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Pope is afraid that if he sends Thomas to England, Henry will invade Rome, so, exile is the only solution.

Unable to compromise, Henry realises that he will have to destroy Thomas in order to keep his kingdom (Will No One Rid Me?).

[1] The musical (principal members) was recorded a few years after its West End production, with some of the original cast participating.