East Lynne

Summary: 1964 BBC2 production of East Lynne, Edgar K. Bruce’s 1934 stage adaptation of the 19th-century novel by Ellen Wood.
Theatre play: East Lynne by Ellen ['Mrs Henry’] Wood (1814-1887) [more information]
Play synopsis: 'Lady Isabel Carlyle, a beautiful and refined young woman, leaves her hard-working lawyer-husband and her infant children to elope with an aristocratic suitor. After he deserts her, and she bears their illegitimate child, Lady Isabel disguises herself and takes the position of governess in the household of her former husband and his new wife’ (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Lynne).
Production history: Wood’s novel East Lynne ‘has been adapted for the stage many times; the play was so popular that stock companies put on a performance whenever they needed guaranteed revenue. The play was staged so often that critic Sally Mitchell estimates some version was seen by audiences in either England or North America every week for over forty years. The novel was first staged on 26 January 1863 in Brooklyn’ (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Lynne).
Date of transmission: Saturday 31 October 1964
Time: 9.25-10.45pm
Channel: BBC2
Production company: BBC

Producer

Douglas Moodie

Adapted for the Stage by

Edgar K. Bruce

Original Book by

Ellen ['Mrs Henry’] Wood (1814-1887)

Composer

Edwin Braden (incidental music)

Musical Arrangements by

Edwin Braden

Conductor

Billy Ternent

Musician

Tom McCall (pianoforte)

Designer

Keith Norman

Costume Supervisor

George Ward

Make-up

Christine Hillcoat

Cast

Play tags: 19th-century setting; adaptation of novel; American drama; melodrama

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British Universities Film & Video Council