Based on the work of the journalist John Pearson, LUCAN tells the story of the murders committed by Lord ("Lucky") Lucan (Rory Pearson), as well as explaining his subsequent disappearance. Adriam Shergold's production portrays Lucan as a perpetual loser, someone trying to live up to his aristocratic image yet perpetually humiliated - often consciously so - by his close friend, the tiger-loving John Aspinall (Christopher Eccleston). Following repeated fruitless attempts to obtain custody of his children, Lucan resolves to murder his wife (Catherine McCormack), but even that simple deed goes wrong for him. LUCAN portrays an aristocratic world that, even by the mid-1970s, was an anachronism; no one should automatically expect privileged treatment, whatever their background. Lucan is simply part of that world - as portrayed by Rory Kinnear, he maintains a British stiff upper-lip (it would be bad form to show one's emotions), but we can see how his lack of success affects him. The narrative unfolds in leisurely fashion, giving plenty of opportunity for the distinguished cast to show off their acting paces. Paul Freeman, Michael Gambon, Gemma Jones and Jane Lapotaire all have the chance to shine in various roles. Although LUCAN portrays a thoroughly unsympathetic character inhabiting a world of leisured privilege - where gambling is considered a 'profession' rather than an illness - we can nonetheless understand the motives behind his actions.
