The Tragedy of Richard II

Summary

1950 BBC live studio production of William Shakespeare’s History play The Tragedy of Richard II.

Theatre play

Richard II by William Shakespeare [more information]

Play synopsis

The play is the first part of a tetralogy of four works, sometimes referred to as the Henriad, about the House of Lancaster. The following three plays, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2 and Henry V are about Richard’s successors.

RSC synopsis (from http://www.rsc.org.uk/explore/shakespeare/plays/richard-ii-synopsis.aspx):
In the presence of King Richard, Henry Bullingbrook (who would eventually be Henry IV) accuses Thomas Mowbray (Duke of Norfolk) of embezzling crown funds and of plotting the death of his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. They will not be reconciled and are about to fight, but Richard stops the combat before it can begin. Bullingbrook is exiled for ten years (later reduced to six); Mowbray is exiled for life. John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster, uncle to the king and Bullingbrook’s father) dies after accusing Richard of improper government. Richard orders the seizure of Gaunt’s property, denying Bullingbrook his inheritance. He then departs for Ireland, appointing his other uncle York to govern in his absence. The Duke of Northumberland reveals that Bullingbrook has returned to England with an army. Bullingbrook persuades his uncle York that he has returned for his rightful inheritance, not to start a rebellion against the crown. Richard returns from Ireland to discover that his Welsh troops have deserted him, that York has allied himself with Bullingbrook, and the common people are rising against him. Bullingbrook and his supporters meet with Richard. Bullingbrook promises to surrender his arms if his banishment is repealed and his inheritance restored. Richard agrees to his demands. Richard’s cousin, the Duke of Aumerle, is accused of murdering the Duke of Gloucester. Bullingbrook arrests everyone involved in the allegations. Richard agrees to abdicate. Bullingbrook announces his coronation. A plot is hatched to restore Richard to the throne. York discovers that his son Aumerle is involved in a plot to kill Bullingbrook. Aumerle confesses to Bullingbrook, and is pardoned. Richard is killed whilst imprisoned in Pomfret Castle. Bullingbrook receives news of his supporters’ efforts to defeat his detractors. Exton presents Richard’s body to Bullingbrook, only to be rewarded with banishment. Bullingbrook promises to undertake a pilgrimage to expiate his sins.

Production history

Thought to have been written around 1595.

Date of transmission

Tuesday 7 November 1950

Time

8.00-10.25pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Royston Morley

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Sets / Settings

Barry Learoyd

Cast

Patrick Barr	Earl of Northumberland
Richard Bebb	Henry Percy
Cecil Brock	Lord Berkeley / Lord Fitzwater
Oliver Burt	Lord Marshall / Sir Stephen Scroop
Philip Dale	Bagot / Sir Pierce of Exton
Richard Gilbert	Bushy
Patricia [Pat] Gilder	Lady in Waiting
Mary Hinton	Duchess of York
Denis Holmes	Green
Viola Johnstone	Lady in Waiting
Clement McCallin	Henry Bolingbroke
Hugh Munro	Servant to York / Groom
Brian Nissen	Duke of Aumerle
Henry Oscar (1891-1969)	John of Gaunt
Frederick Ross	Prison Keeper
Leonard Sachs	Thomas Mowbray / Duke of Surrey
Horace Sequeira	Earl of Salisbury / Servant to Exton
Joy Shelton	Isabella
George Skillan	Bishop of Carlisle
Eileen Thorndike	Duchess of Gloucester
Geoffrey Wearing	Herald / Lord Willoughby
James Wellman	Welsh Captain / Gardener
Alan Wheatley	King Richard II
John Witty	Herlad / Lord Ross
Arthur Wontner	Edmond of Langley
George Woodbridge	Gardener

Additional details

Origination

Live from studio

Later transmissions

This was the second presentation of a production originally shown the previous week (when Radio Times was not printed).

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

historical drama; royalty

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 3 November 1950 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, p. 20

Title

Richard II, 1950 (Website: database)

Author/creator

BUFVC

Reference

http://bufvc.ac.uk/shakespeare/index.php/title/av37024