Peter I (Пётр I Алексеевич) (1672 - 1725), known as Peter the Great, was Tsar of all Russia from 1682, and the first Emperor of all Russia from 1721 until his death in 1725. A huge man, he was nearly 7 feet tall. In 1697 he embarked on a "Grand Embassy" of Europe to broaden the Holy League, Russia's alliance with a number of European countries against the Ottoman Empire in the Russian struggle for the northern coastline of the Black Sea. The Tsar also sought to hire foreign specialists for Russian service and to acquire military weapons. He visited England in January - April 1698 at the invitation of William III, primarily to learn from English methods of shipbuilding. The Tsar and his court eventually moved into Sayes Court, owned by Sir John Evelyn, which was adjacent to the Deptford Dockyard. The Russian delegation did lots of damage to the house, which Christopher Wren estimated at £305 9s 6d, with the need for new floors, window panes, and furniture. Much to John Evelyn's distress the garden was also ruined. During the stay the Tsar had an affair with the noted actress, Letitia Cross, and gave her £500 to thank her for her hospitality. Cross said it was not enough while Peter replied that he thought her overpaid! In 2000 a statute of Peter was erected in London to commemorate the tercentenary of his Grand Embassy. It is sited where Deptford Creek joins the confluence of the River Thames.

This entertaining BBC radio play by Mike Walker was very close to these skeleton facts, aside from the fact that the Tsar and John Evelyn never actually met. In the story, poor John Evelyn is between a rock and a hard place, keen to support and serve the Government, but distressed at the trashing of his beloved home and garden. The other plot line concerns the affair with the actress, Letitia Cross, who displayed in the play feminist attitudes towards men that wouldn't be out of place today! Peter however is portrayed as hard working, intelligent, keen to learn and is well regarded by the shipwrights with whom he takes lessons.

Cast included Greg Kolpakchi, Siena Kelly, Michael Bertenshaw, John Lightbody, Josh Bryant-Jones and Kitty O’Sullivan. Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko. Written by Mike Walker, from an idea by Michael Crick. First broadcast February 2024.