Malatesta

Summary

1964 BBC production of Malatesta by Henry de Montherlant.

Theatre play

Malatesta by Henry de Montherlant (1895-1972) [more information]

Play synopsis

Malatesta has just returned to his palace in Rimini after suppressing a rising with the utmost savagery. Until the next campaign he can relax and enjoy fine company ... but soon there comes news that his power is threatened by the Pope, and the evil side of his character at once asserts itself. (Adapted from Radio Times, 26 November 1964, p. 43.)

Production history

First performed at Théâtre Marigny in 1950, under the direction of Jean-Louis Barrault, who also took the title role.

Date of transmission

Wednesday 2 December 1964

Time

9.25-11.00pm

Series

Wednesday Play

Channel

BBC1

Production company

BBC

Credits

Director

Christopher Morahan

Producer

Peter Luke

Playwright

Henry de Montherlant (1895-1972)

Adaptor of Script

Rosemary Hill

Translator

Jonathan Griffin

Composer

Richard Rodney Bennett

Designer

Roger Andrews

Costumes

Michael Endacott

Make-up

Ann Ferriggi

Fight Arranger

Derek Ware

Story Editor

Harry Moore

Cast

Edward Burnham	Basinio
Blake Butler	The Cardinal of Pavia
Dallas Cavell	Scarampa
Roger Croucher	Venieri, Lord of Camerino
Brown Derby	Cardinal Marcanova
Jessica Dunning	Isotta da Rimini
Judy Geeson	Vanella
John Glyn-Jones	Pope Paul
David Grey	Monsignor Perugia
John Hollis	Sacramoro
Reginald Jessup	Cardinal Borgia
Lala Lloyd	Aloysia
David March	Narrator
Jack Melford	Platina
Neil Robinson	Narni
Norman Scase	Papal Chamberlain
Cyril Shaps	Porcellio
Michael Warren	Cinquedenti
Patrick Wymark	Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta

Additional details

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

15th-century setting; French drama; Italy, as theme or setting; Roman Catholicism

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 26 November 1964 (Magazine)

Linking notes

illustrated article, p. 43; listing, p. 46