Esmé Divided

Summary

BBC production of Philip Guard’s experimental comedy Esmé Divided which featured ‘ballet, trick photography, and filmed sequences’ (The Times, 17 July 1957, p. 5).

Theatre play

Esmé Divided by Philip Guard [more information]

Play synopsis

Esmé is a shy schoolmaster who, imagining that his love has been spurned, attempts drowning. He is saved, and once in a sanitorium learns that his beloved returns his affection. This experimental comedy features the character of Esmé, but most of the action is conducted in his mind and his thoughts are represented by four actors: His Reason, His Heart, His Chemistry and His Subconscious.

Production history

Produced at least as early as August 1956 in Edinburgh by the London Club Theatre Group (source: Glasgow Herald, 22 August 1956, p.6).

Date of transmission

Tuesday 16 July 1957

Time

9.45pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Wendy Toye

Film Cameraman

A. A. Englander

Playwright

Philip Guard

Composer

James Turner

Musical Arrangements by

James Turner

Conductor

James Turner

Designer

Guy Sheppard

Film Editor

Harry Hastings

Special Effects

Peter Hampton

Special Effects

Bernard Wilkie

Cast

Robin Bailey	His Reason
Brenda Bruce	His Heart
James Grout	His Subconscious
John Hall	Simon Dachet
Neil Hallett	Barry Teal
Francis Matthews	Esmé Vignoles
Mary Peach	Gladys Pilcher
Richard Pearson	His Chemistry

Additional details

Play tags

comedy

Print sources

Title

BBC Television: Esmé Divided (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Times, 17 July 1957, p. 5

Title

Chauvinism Runs a Mile (Newspaper review)

Author/creator

G. A. Olden (Reviewer)

Reference

The Irish Times, 25 July 1957, p. 6

Title

Electronic Succubi (Newspaper review)

Author/creator

Maurice Richardson (Reviewer)

Reference

The Observer, 21 July 1957, p.10

Title

Radio Times, 12 July 1957 (Magazine)

Linking notes

pp. 12 and 13, illustrated article and listing