The Infernal Machine

Summary

1947 BBC live studio production of Jean Cocteau’s updating of the Greek myth of Oedipus, The Infernal Machine.

Theatre play

The Infernal Machine [La Machine infernale] by Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) [more information]

Play synopsis

Based on the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus. Jocasta and Tiresias, walking on the ramparts of Thebes, are warned of impending tragedy by the ghost of Laius. Oedipus marries Jocasta, happy to find an older woman, but is alarmed when he looks into Tiresias’ eyes.Seventeen years later Oedipus learns the truth. Jocasta hangs herself, and Oedipus blinds himself with her brooch. The dead Jocasta appears and, with her daughter Antigone, leads Oedipus away. Tiresias prevents Creon from stopping them.

Production history

Premiered in Paris in 1934.

Date of transmission

Sunday 19 October 1947

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Royston Morley

Playwright

Jean Cocteau (1889-1963)

Adapted for Television by

Royston Morley

Translator

Carl Wildman

Sets / Settings

Barry Learoyd

Cast

George Bishop	Creon
Elwyn Brook-Jones	The Voice
Rosalie Crutchley	The Sphinx
Willoughby Gray	Anubis
Paul Hansard	Young Soldier
Anna Korda	Priestess of the Oracle at Delphi
Arthur Lawrence	Messenger from Corinth
Ernest Milton	Tiresias
Marie Ney	Jocasta
Adrienne Ricoboni	Antigone
Frederick Ross	A Shepherd
John Stevens	Officer
Sydney [or Sidney] Tafler	Oedipus
Russell Waters	Soldier
Arthur Wontner	Ghost of Laius

Additional details

Origination

Live from studio

Vision original

Monochrome

Later transmissions

Presented again at 3.00pm on Tuesday 21 October 1947.

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

Greek myth

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 17 October 1947 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, p. 31; illustrated article by John Swift, ‘Experiment with a Greek Legend’, p. 30