Shaw used the traditional fable of Andocles to focus on the integrity of religious belief. Androcles, a christian fleeing persecution in Rome, is captured by Caesar's men. Alongside other christians - Ferrovius, a fierce fighter, Lavinia, a beautiful aristocrat and would-be martyr Spintho - he must face the lions of the Coliseum. How will each of them face their desperate fate?

Cast

Billy Connolly

Androcles

Anna Calder-Marshall

Lavinia

Bernard Bresslaw

Ferrovius

Rupert Frazer

The Captain

Peter Copley

Caesar

John Tordoff

Spintho

Stafford Gordon

Centurion

Jane Freeman

Megaera

Barry Jackson

The Editor

Stephen Rashbrook

The Call Boy