(Newswire.net — May 5, 2014) THOMSON, Ill. — As the fifth season of Downton Abbey began filming recently in Oxfordshire, one of its lead stars visited a London studio to work on another major project.
Joanne Froggatt, who plays Anna Bates in the award-winning PBS series, recorded scenes in mid-April for an upcoming children’s audio theater CD, In Freedom’s Cause, which spotlights the 14th century Scottish hero William Wallace – the man most people know as the lead character in the movie Braveheart.
The true story of Wallace is based on GA Henty’s book by the same name and tells the story of Scotland’s fight for independence from England. Ironically, the Scottish are voting again this fall for independence from the UK.
Froggatt isn’t the only Downton Abbey name in the project – nor the only well-known actor or actress. Also featured on the project are Cathy Sara (Mrs. Drake in seasons one and two of Downton Abbey, and of Lamplighter Theatre), Billy Boyd (Pippin in Lord Of The Rings), Skandar Keynes (Edmund in the Chronicles of Narnia series), and Jimmy Cosmo (Campbell, Father Christmas in Braveheart and Chronicles of Narnia respectively).
It is the second audio theater project for executive producer Bill Heid, who produced another CD, Under Drake’s Flag, last year. It also was based on a Henty book.
People on both sides of the Atlantic will enjoy In Freedom’s Cause, Heid said.
“There is an amazing intersection between Scottish history and American history,” Heid said. “It’s really striking. An understanding of it is necessary to understand where our freedom really comes from.”
Heirloom Audio Productions
2200 Illinois Route 84
P.O. Box 518
Thomson, Illinois 61285
877-327-0365