Saturday Seminar: Murder in the Cathedral

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31 October 2026

Running time

1 hour 30 minutes

Rated

for all ages

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Sat31stOct

11:00am

On Saturday 31^st October, we are very excited to announce former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will be joined by OT Artistic Director Tom Littler to discuss the turbulent world of T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral. In this special discussion, they will explore the 1930s political landscape that inspired the verse drama, as well as expanding on the spiritual backdrop of the play, its themes and ideological implications.

Dr Rowan Williams is a theological writer, scholar and teacher.

Following his studies in theology and philosophy at both Cambridge and Oxford, Rowan was ordained in Ely Cathedral in 1978. In 1984 he became dean and chaplain of Clare College Cambridge, and just two years later, was appointed to the Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford, a position which brought with it appointment to a residentiary canonry of Christ Church Cathedral. In 1991 he became Bishop of Monmouth, followed by Archbishop of Wales, and from 2002-2012 he was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. He was the 35th Master of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge from 2013-2020 and is an Honorary Professor of Contemporary Christian Thought. Williams is a noted poet and translator of poetry, and speaks or reads at least 11 languages.

Rowan is patron of the T.S. Eliot Society, and delivered the annual T.S. Eliot lecture at Clare College Cambridge in 2013, entitled Eliot’s Christian Society and the current political crisis. He has written and lectured extensively on Eliot’s work, especially in relation to theological themes, including pieces in The New Statesmen, where he is a regular contributor. He has also published studies of other writers, including Arius, Teresa of Avila, and Sergei Bulgakov, together with writings on a wide range of theological, historical and political themes. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Society of Literature and the Learned Society of Wales. In 2013, he was made a life peer, becoming The Rt Rev. and the Rt Hon. the Lord Williams of Oystermouth. He retired from the House of Lords in August 2020.

He has since moved back to Wales, his birthplace, where he continues to write prolifically. His most recent book, Solidarity: The Work of Recognition was published earlier this year

Tom Littler, Director of Murder in the Cathedral, and OT Artistic Director and Co-CEO, chairs this discussion.

Tom is Artistic Director and Joint CEO of the Orange Tree Theatre. He joined in 2022, and since then, the OT has won the Peter Brook Empty Space Award and the Stage Award for Theatre of the Year. Before this, Tom was Artistic Director and Executive Producer of Jermyn Street Theatre, where he won OffWestEnd Award for Best Artistic Director, and the theatre won the Critics’ Circle Award for Exceptional Theatremaking in Lockdown and the Stage Award for Best Fringe Theatre. Previous to this, Tom was Artistic Director of Primavera, Associate Director of Theatre503, and Associate Director of the Peter Hall Company. He has won the OffWestEnd Award for Best Director once and has been shortlisted a further nine times. He was most recently nominated for the UK Theatre Award for Best Director for his productions of Love’s Labour’s Lost/Much Ado About Nothing.

Our Saturday Seminars offer audiences the chance to go beyond the stage. Taking place on selected Saturdays during the season, these engaging talks invite leading academics, authors, and cultural commentators to explore the world behind our productions.

From unpicking historical detail to examining social and political themes, each seminar is designed to deepen your understanding of the play and enrich your theatre experience.

Previous speakers have included renowned broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, Martin Fitzpatrick, Head of Music at English National Opera, and Dr Will Tosh of Shakespeare’s Globe.

Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned theatregoer, Saturday Seminars promise fresh perspectives, lively discussion, and new ways to connect with the stories we tell.

All tickets £15.