Rosmersholm

Summary

1947 BBC live studio production of Henrik Ibsen’s tragedy Rosmersholm.

Theatre play

Rosmersholm by Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) [more information]

Play synopsis

'As expressed by the protagonist, Rosmer, the theme of the play is social and political change, in which the traditional ruling classes relinquish their right to impose their ideals on the rest of society, but the action is entirely personal, resting on the conduct of the immoral, or amoral, "free thinking" heroine, Rebecca, who sets herself to undermine Rosmer’s religious and political beliefs because of his influential position in the community. Rebecca has abandoned not only Christianity but, unlike Rosmer, she has abandoned the whole ethical system of Christianity as well’ (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosmersholm).

Production history

Written in 1886.

Date of transmission

Thursday 17 July 1947

Time

8.30-10.00pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Royston Morley

Playwright

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)

Translator

Charles Archer

Cast

George Benson	Ulric Brendel
Mark Dignam	John Rosmer
Eric Maturin	Peter Montensgard
Joan Miller (1910-1988)	Rebecca West
Henry Oscar (1891-1969)	Kroll
Ellen Pollock	Mrs Helseth

Additional details

Origination

Live from studio

Vision original

Monochrome

Later transmissions

Presented again at 3.00pm on Friday 18 July 1947.

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

Christianity; class issues / differences; Norwegian drama; tragedy

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 11 July 1947 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, p. 32; article by ‘The Scanner’, p. 29