Candida

Summary: 1950 BBC production of Candida by George Bernard Shaw.
Theatre play: Candida by [George] Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) [more information]
Play synopsis: The play is set in the north-east suburbs of London in the month of October. It tells the story of Candida, the wife of a first-rate clergyman, the Reverend James Mavor Morell. Morell is a Christian Socialist, popular in the Church of England, but Candida is responsible for much of his success. Candida returns home briefly from a trip to London with Eugene Marchbanks, a young poet who wants to rescue her from what he presumes to be her dull family life. Marchbanks is in love with Candida and believes she deserves something more than just complacency from her husband. Morell believes Candida needs his care and protection, but the truth is quite the contrary. Ultimately, Candida must choose between the two gentlemen. She reasserts her preference for the ‘weaker of the two’ who, after a momentary uncertainty, turns out to be her husband Morrell. (Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida_(play); accessed 18 April 2014.)
Production history: Written in 1894 and first published in 1898. The British premiere production, following a successful staging in New York, was at the Royal Court Theatre, London in 1904.
Date of transmission: Sunday 31 December 1950
Time: 8.30-10.15pm
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC

Playwright

[George] Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

Cast

Later transmissions: Presented again on Thursday 4 January 1950 (9.00-10.45pm).
Extant status: No archival copy is known to exist.
Play tags: 19th-century setting; Christianity; religion, as theme or subject

This record has been viewed 261 times.