In 2023 Living Breath Productions produced their first stage play Forever Mine – the love story behind the world’s best-loved hymn, which toured churches and theatres across the UK and Ireland.  2023 marked the 250th anniversary of “Amazing Grace” – one of the most recorded songs of all time. At its heart, the song Amazing Grace tells the dramatic story of its author John Newton. During the UK tour many of the performances took place in the iconic historic venues where the events of this true story took place.

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This original costume drama is based on letters, diaries and historical writings, and encompasses both John Newton's dramatic transformation from slave trader to clergyman and eventual abolitionist as well as the passionate love story between Newton and his wife Mary (nicknamed Polly). Although set in the 18th century, it is a moving narrative that resonates with modern audiences sharing the actual words of historic figures.

 

Forever Mine looks honestly at John Newton’s role in the slave trade including his continued involvement for six years after his conversion in 1748.  It traces his slow journey to repentance and his later work supporting the campaign for abolition as mentor to William Wilberforce. One powerful distinctive of the costume drama is that it elevates the lesser known voices of the abolition movement including black writer Olaudah Equiano and tells the virtually unknown story of Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (also known as James Albert) who is considered the first published African in Britain.

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