The Land of Promise

Summary: BBC Television production of Somerset Maugham’s The Land of Promise.
Theatre play: The Land of Promise by W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) [more information]
Play synopsis: Set chiefly in the Canadian prairies, this play sets a sheltered young English woman against struggling Canadian farmer who had come to be rather quickly married to each other. The play documents both their cultural differences and expectations, as well as their battle of wills in the bedroom (with his bullying force overcoming her tearful resistance causing consternation both when first staged and later). The play ends on a sentimental note: Norah has a chance to return to England, but stays to support the work of the farm instead.
Production history: 'The earliest stage version of The Land of Promise starred Billie Burke, a popular American comedienne whom Maugham was dating at the time. Her company tried out the play in Washington, D.C., 1-6 December 1913, with a touring schedule planned to catch the Christmas season in New York.' Source: http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/tric/article/view/7474/8533.
Date of transmission: Sunday 20 April 1958
Time: 8.30pm (90 mins)
Series: Sunday-Night Theatre
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC

Producer

Hal Burton

Playwright

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)

Designer

Hal Burton

Cast

Extant status: No archival copy is known to exist.
Play tags: American drama; Canada, as theme or setting; marriage; sexual violence

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