The Elder Statesman

Summary: 1960 BBC production of The Elder Statesman by T. S. Eliot, produced by arrangement with Henry Sherek.
Theatre play: The Elder Statesman by T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) [more information]
Play synopsis: Lord Claverton, on the advice of his doctor, is retiring from his successful career in politics and in the city. He is forced to look back critically over his life by the reappearance of two people who figured prominently in the early part of it - namely, a man (Gomez), who as a student he led into bad company, and a singer (Mrs. Carghill), with whom he had an affair and who was bought off by his father. It becomes clear that Gomez and Mrs Carghill are well enough off on their own account, and have not come back to blackmail Claverton for his money; they only want to spend time with Claverton. They serve to prick his conscience; it is only by confessing all to his daughter Monica that Claverton feels relief. He dies off-stage and she marries her beau, Charles. (Source: adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elder_Statesman.)
Production history: Staged for the first time in 1958.
Date of transmission: Sunday 22 May 1960
Time: 8.20-9.50pm
Series: Twentieth Century Theatre
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC

Producer

Naomi Capon

Playwright

T. S. Eliot (1888-1965)

Designer

Eileen Diss

Cast

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British Universities Film & Video Council