The Linden Tree

Summary

1949 BBC live studio production of J. B. Priestley’s drama The Linden Tree.

Theatre play

The Linden Tree by J. B. Priestley (1894-1984) [more information]

Play synopsis

It is Professor Linden’s 65th birthday. His family, who have gathered to celebrate, urge him to retire. But he feels that he still has much to give. Despite pressure from the family and the university’s Vice-Chancellor he decides to stay on at his post teaching history. All his family, save one daughter, prove themselves to have given up on life in one way or another but he and she remain optimistic.

Production history

Dated to 1947.

Date of transmission

Tuesday 22 February 1949

Time

8.30-10.10pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Kevin Sheldon

Playwright

J. B. Priestley (1894-1984)

Cast

Michael Ashwin	Rex Linden
Margaret Barton	Dinah Linden
Bruce Belfrage	Professor Linden
Nicolette Bernard	Dr Jean Linden
Barbara Everest	Mrs Linden
Willoughby Gray	Alfred Lockhart
Angela Holmes	Edith Westmore
Elizabeth Maude	Mrs Cotton
Elizabeth Melville	Marion de Vaury
Victor Platt	Bernard Fawcett

Additional details

Origination

Live from studio

Vision original

Monochrome

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

ageing; universities, as theme or setting

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 18 February 1949 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, p. 26; articles, pp. 24 and 25; cover image