To Begin The World
Over Again
THE LIFE OF THOMAS PAINE
The Man
Thomas Paine lived his life with one principle above all others…that “one must always speak the truth as one sees it, no matter the consequences”. A most dangerous commitment that had him nearly hung in England, nearly guillotined in France, jeered, spat at and refused a mug of beer and the right to vote when he returned to his dear America.
But it also gave him a most extraordinary life, full of moments of exhilaration and moments of despair. And through all this he wrote, changing the world with his quill pen. His “Common Sense” sparked the American Revolution, “Rights of Man” defined the French Revolution, and “The Age of Reason” called on us to use our ability to reason as the basis for our beliefs and morality.
Were he here today, this man who detested slavery would be marching with Black Lives Matter. This man who wrote a New Deal in the 1790s would be fighting to protect the most vulnerable citizens of all countries. And if he was fighting for greater voting rights then, he would be fighting voter suppression in all its forms now. America and the world need Paine today more than ever.
“The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark”
- Thomas Paine
The Play
To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine is the very personal story of one of history’s most misunderstood men. He moved through the world challenging the dogma and superstitions that had ruled the lives of the masses for centuries, and embracing the Age of Enlightenment.
It was Paine’s writings in short, simple sentences, understood by those masses, which changed the world. Excerpts from his great works are read throughout the play, and elicit gasps from audiences because they are so alive and relevant today.
And this is a story of history made out of blood and toil, of disasters when the timing is off and triumphs when it falls into place, and of happenings that would be hard to believe, were they not actually true. And through it all Paine maintained an optimism that we could actually “begin the world over again”.
The play features a beautiful soundtrack and a magnificent, if appropriately disheveled, costume and wig for Mr. Paine. It will leave you with a new understanding of the revolutions and the search for enlightenment that forged the world that we live in today. See our Booking Page for more information.
The Film
We shot the film version of To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine at the intimate Lillian Theatre in Hollywood. We had an invited audience of 100 sitting a few feet from the stage, since we wanted the audience and the viewer to feel their closeness to Paine as he told his story. We also wanted Paine to move between pools of light representing the three countries that he lived in, and the result is almost like a living Rembrandt painting. After all, the camera team was led by Haskell Wexler. Our haunting soundtrack was composed and recorded by Joe Romano, and we added period paintings, cartoons and graphics to the film. Above all, we believe that the power of Paine’s words, and the passion of the man’s mission, shine through.
The film aired across America on PBS for two years making it available to 150 million viewers. It continues airing on individual stations up until today. See our Shop for information about purchasing the film as a DVD or digital download, or booking a screening and Q&A with Ian Ruskin.
Interested in Booking a Performance?
The Play
You can book a live performance for your organization, whether it is a theatre, university, union, historical society, citizen’s group, company conference or other setting. Alternatively the film is available to be screened along with an in-person or zoom meeting Q&A with Ian Ruskin.
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