Simon Callow stars in a new film about William Beveridge

PRESS RELEASE

The Man With The Plan

Sands Films announce the release of The Man With The Plan, their latest film, written and directed by Christine Edzard and starring Simon Callow as William Beveridge.

Synopsis

The film follows a young person of today (Flea) discovering William Beveridge’s visionary 1942 plan to abolish Want, Disease, Squalor, Idleness and Ignorance, “the five giants”, and more.

Whilst some of the plan’s proposals were realised, most famously the NHS built by Aneurin Bevan, so much more of the Beveridge vision was lost.

In a series of fantastical encounters with the five giants, the very Devil, dancing greedy magpies, media sheep and Alice in Wonderland’s Dodo, Flea questions the whirl of politicians, ineffective policies and the missed opportunities that followed over the decades.

After an encounter with Beveridge himself, back in the real world Flea meets contemporary academics and campaigners— Sir Michael Marmot, Kate Pickett, Danny Dorling and others—whose work continues to confront the inequalities Beveridge sought to eradicate.

The film concludes with an emotional call, full of hope, for collective action.

Cast

As it is often the case with the work of Christine Edzard, the film assembles a large troupe of actors in a series of cameos roles. Delightful new comer Sophie Jenkin is full of charm and vastly experienced Simon Callow delivers a passionate and powerful William Beveridge. Both are utterly convincing in a film that revives hope in idealism.

Simon Callow as William Beveridge
A celebrated stage and screen actor, Simon Callow has received numerous accolades including an Olivier Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as nominations for two BAFTA Awards. He is also an accomplished writer, having authored acclaimed biographies of Charles Dickens, Orson Welles and Charles Laughton among other books. As director - Simon Callow has some 20 plays, 5 musicals, 8 operas and 2 movies to his credit (with a third film on the way)

Sophie Jenkin as Flea
A young newcomer and non-professional actor making her screen debut.

Neil Gore as Want
Writer, actor, musician and musical director, Neil Gore has worked in all types of theatre including community theatre, national touring, regional repertory, West End and Pantomime. He co-founded Sheffield's Metro Theatre Company in the 1980s and is a founding member of the political theatre company Townsend Theatre Productions, known for work exploring working-class and trade union movement histories.

Alan Cox as The Devil
Alan Cox has an extensive career across stage, film and television, as well as directing and producing. He is also a regular member of the improvisation theatre group The School of Night.

Mark Thomas as the Narrator
Mark Thomas has been performing for more than 40 years, has written six books and five plays, and has curated two art exhibitions with artist Tracey Moberly. He has won eight awards for performing and writing, 4 human rights awards and his work with playwright Ed Edwards has netted a further 5 awards. He also won one award he invented himself.

Miriam Margolyes as the voice of Squalor
Much-loved for her character roles, including Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films and appearances in Call the Midwife. Known for her outspoken personality and distinctive voice work, Margolyes has enjoyed a long career in theatre, film and television. She has frequently appeared in period dramas, including Little Dorrit and As You Like It, both directed by Christine Edzard.

Additional cast members include Neil D’Souza, Andrew Tiernan, Hal Cruttenden, Michael Mears, Tweedy and many others.

Also appearing as themselves:

• Professor Sir Michael Marmot — Professor of Epidemiology, UCL,

author of “The Marmot Review”; very much a successor to the Beveridge Report.

• Kate Pickett — co-author of The Spirit Level and author of The Good Society; Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the Born in Bradford Centre for Social Change, University of York
• Danny Dorling — social geographer; author of Seven Children: Inequality and Britain’s Next Generation
• Jerry Flynn — 35% Campaign
• Rebecca O’Connell — Professor of Food, Families and Society, CRIPACC
• Tansy Hoskins — award-winning journalist on global fashion industry
• Deidre Woods — Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN)
• Bryan Coyle — East Brighton Food Co-op
• Ian Hodson — National President, Bakers’, Food & Allied Workers Union
• Jake Atkinson — Tax Justice UK
• Juliette Lawson — Surfers Against Sewage (SAS)
• Lindesay Mace — Quaker Social Action
• Simon Pirani — Fare Free London
• Mark E Thomas — The 99% Organisation
• Siobhan McCarthy — Southwark Housing and Planning Emergency (SHAPE) / Aylesham Community Action (ACA)
• Mark Bou Mansour — Tax Justice Network
• Dr Andrew Meyerson — A&E, Royal London Hospital

Production

Written and Directed by Christine Edzard
Christine Edzard is known for a series of independent, non-conformist and original films. Her work includes the award wining and now-classic Little Dorrit, starring Alec Guinness and Derek Jacobi, The Fool and As You Like It as well as a modern adaptation of The Good Soldier Schwejk. She also conceived and designed the ballet film Tales of Beatrix Potter and founded with Richard Goodwin Sands Films in 1975—the independent studio where all her films have been made.

Produced and Edited by Olivier Stockman
Long-time collaborator with Christine Edzard since 1980. The Man With The Plan is an independent and self funded production entirely shot at Sands Films in Rotherhithe between October 2024 and May 2025.

Release Details

Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Certificate: 15 (for strong language)

A limited London release takes place at the Sands Films Cinema from 17th April 2026.

The film is touring universities, theatres, community venues and independent cinemas across the UK in Autumn 2026

Townsend Theatre Productions.
Contact: [email protected]

Media Contact

Sands Films

82 St Marychurch Street
London SE16 4HZ

Email: [email protected]
Production website: www.sandsfilms.co.uk

Film’s page: https://www.sandsfilms.co.uk/the-man-with-the-plan.html