Six Men of Dorset

Summary: 1962 BBC production from the Bristol studios of Six Men of Dorset by Miles Malleson and H. Brooks.
Theatre play: Six Men of Dorset by Miles Malleson (1889-1969) and H. Brooks [more information]
Play synopsis: 'Desperation drove George Loveless to call a meeting of his fellow labourers in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle, that night in 1834 [...]. The six friends sought a meeting with the farmers for whom they worked, and to their surprise were promised another three shillings a week. But the promise was broken. Loveless turned for help to the pioneers of trade unionism in London, and was advised to form the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. Its meetings were held in secret, and an oath was administered to its members, so in the eyes of the law it was a secret society, and thus illegal’ (Radio Times, 13 September 1962, p. 13).
Production history: Produced at the Unity Theatre in 1948, but possibly elsewhere earlier. It was published by Gollancz in 1934.
Date of transmission: Sunday 16 September 1962
Time: 8.45-10.00pm
Series: Sunday-Night Play
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC

Producer

Brandon Acton-Bond

Playwright

H. Brooks

Playwright

Miles Malleson (1889-1969)

Adapted for Television by

Leo Lehmann

Designer

Desmond Chinn

Cast

Extant status: No archival copy is known to exist.
Play tags: 19th-century setting; Dorset, as theme or setting; farming, and / or the agricultural life; trades unions

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