Anthony Hope

Adapted from the novel by Anthony Hope. This fine imperialist adventure is brought vividly to life in Matthew Francis's stirring adaptation which plunges straight into the heart of the Ruritanian dynastic conflict. Rudolph Rassendyll, young English gallant, is distantly related on the wrong side of the blanket to the Ruritanian royal family. When the Crown Prince is drugged by Black Michael, Rudolph steps in and takes the Prince's place at his coronation.2 women, 9 men, 4 women or men

On the eve of his coronation, Crown Prince Rudolf of Ruritania has been kidnapped. Unless he attends his own coronation, his crown is forfeit, and Ruritania will be ruled by his kidnapper, unless ... unless the king's visiting English cousin takes his place.But for Cousin Rudolf, it takes more than a doppelganger's looks to be a convincing stand-in until the true king can be rescued. Will he be discovered? Schemes, swordplay, madmen, and forbidden love obstruct the path of this unlikely hero.