A Tragedian in Spite of Himself

Summary

1954 BBC production of A Tragedian in Spite of Himself by Anton Chekhov, performed by one actor before one camera.

Theatre play

A Tragedian in Spite of Himself by Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) [more information]

Play synopsis

A one-act play in which ‘Ivan Ivanovitch Tolkachov asks to borrow a revolver from his friend, Alexey Alexeyevitch Murashkin. Murashkin inquires to the reason, and Tolkachov complains bitterly about the bad events in his life. Murashkin expresses his sympathy, and then asks Tolkachov to take a sewing machine and a caged canary to Olga Pavlovna, a mutual acquaintance. On hearing Murashkin’s request, Tolkachov snaps and begins chasing Murashkin around the room, screaming that he wants blood..

Production history

Dated to 1899.

Date of transmission

Sunday 25 July 1954

Time

10.25-10.40pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Television Presentation by

Alan Sleath ('presented by’)

Playwright

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)

Translator

Julian West

Cast

Sam Wanamaker

Additional details

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

Russian drama

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 23 July 1954 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, p. 12; article, p. 13