Bees on the Boat-Deck

Summary: 1939 BBC studio production of J. B. Priestley’s farcical tragedy Bees on the Boat-Deck. Ralph Richardson, Allan Jeayes and John Laurie, who performed in the television production, were in the cast for the stage premiere in May 1936. Laurence Oliver took the role on stage which James Mason played for television.
Theatre play: Bees on the Boat-Deck by J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) [more information]
Play synopsis: A farcical tragedy in two acts. The scene is a rusting ship in a backwater off the south coast of England. Trees grow on the decks and bees share the structure with a token crew. Some of the people aboard want to blow up the ship while her officers wish to preserve her.
Production history: Premiered 5 May 1936 at the Lyric Theatre, London, with Ralph Richardson as Sam Gridley, and with Laurence Olivier also in the cast. Printed 1936 by W. Heinemann Ltd in London.
Date of transmission: Wednesday 11 January 1939
Time: 3.00-4.15pm
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC
Theatre company: [choose none of these]

Producer

Eric Crozier (1914-1994)

Playwright

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984)

Cast

Origination: Live from studio
Vision original: Monochrome
Later transmissions: Presented again from 9.20-10.35pm on Tuesday 17 January 1939.
Extant status: No archival copy is known to exist.
Play tags: farce; nautical theme

Title: Broadcast Performance (Newspaper review)
Author/creator: Anon. (Author)
Reference: The Times, 23 January 1939, p. 19
Notes: ''The production was interesting, as was the illusion of being on a cargo-boat was admirably maintained, and the simple scenery was just what was wanted.'

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British Universities Film & Video Council