The Sulky Fire

Summary

BBC Television production of Jean-Jacques Bernard’s play The Sulky Fire.

Theatre play

The Sulky Fire by Jean-Jacques Bernard (1888-1972) [more information]

Play synopsis

In 1918, just after the Armistice, Blanche awaits her husband André's return from the war. She has waited for him faithfully, sharing the previous four years with her father-in-law and her female friend but, on arrival, her husband dissolves into a ‘sulky fire’ of jealousy when he discovers that an American officer has been billeted in the house for a while.

Production history

This French play had been performed in the UK by 1929.

Date of transmission

Friday 13 June 1958

Time

9.15pm

Series

Sunday-Night Theatre

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

John Harrison

Playwright

Jean-Jacques Bernard (1888-1972)

Translator

John Leslie Frith (from the French)

Designer

Guy Sheppard

Cast

Noel Howlett	Old Mérin
Margaret Johnston	Blanche Mérin
Jean Kent	Jeanne Liron
Guy Rolfe	André Mérin

Additional details

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

France, as theme or setting; French drama; wartime, as theme or setting

Print sources

Title

Caricature of The Sulky Fire (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Times, 16 June 1958, p. 12

Title

Radio Times, 13 June 1958 (Magazine)

Linking notes

p. 11, illustrated article and listing

Title

Sound Diminishing Sight: Effect of Strong Play (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Manchester Guardian, 16 June 1958, p. 3