Candida

Summary

1955 BBC production of Candida by George Bernard Shaw4

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 20 February 1955

Time

9.10-10.40pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Harold Clayton

Playwright

[George] Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

Designer

Stephen Bundy

Cast

Edward Chapman	Mr Burgess
Tom Criddle	Eugene Marchbanks
Michael Hordern	The Rev. James Mavor Morell
Avice Landone	Miss Proserpine Garnett
Charles Stapley	The Rev. Alexander Mill
Irene Worth (1916-2002)	Candida

Additional details

Origination

Live from studio

Later transmissions

Presented again on Thursday 24 February 1955 at 9.00pm.

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

19th-century setting; Christianity; religion, as theme or subject

Print sources

Title

A Good Bid (Magazine review)

Author/creator

Philip Hope-Wallace (Author)

Reference

The Listener, 24 February 1955, pp. 351-52

Notes

'It seems to me that what we have with a revival such as this of Candida on Sunday is nothing less than a performance at the "National Theatre" which, after all the years of agitation, has suddenly "Happened".' Includes a production photograph.

Title

Radio Times, 18 February 1955 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, article and photograph on p. 13

Title

Short Supply (Magazine review)

Author/creator

Philip Hope-Wallace (Author)

Reference

The Listener, 17 February 1955, p. 309