The Schuman Plan

The story of post-war Britain and its love-hate relationship with Europe, recounted as a thrilling, fast-moving epic of machiavellian politics and private heartbreak. In 1950, in the wake of the Second World War, Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, attempts to secure a permanent peace in Europe by putting his name to a controversial plan to unite it economically. Fifty-five years on, is he turning in his grave? The Schuman Plan tells the story of Bill Bretherton – a passionate Europhile – and the colourful personalities that alternately confirm and erode his idealism. Back-stabbing politicians, volatile Suffolk fishermen, fraudulent Sicilian Mafiosi, his old pal Teddy Heath and the girl from the Ministry whom he loves to the end – all play their part in this revealing epic that spans five decades but just one continent. Tim Luscombe's play was first staged at Hampstead Theatre in 2006. 'A touching account of how local livelihoods are blighted by European rules and giant factory-fishing vessels ... fascinating' Guardian'Sharply funny ... an intelligent and intricate attempt to explore the contradictions and shifts in our response to the European Ideal' Independent