The Piper of Orde

Summary

1957 BBC Television production of The Piper of Orde, transmitted from Scotland’s first permanent television studio in Glasgow.

Theatre play

The Piper of Orde by Rosamunde Pilcher and Charles Campbell Gairdner [more information]

Play synopsis

This play concerns Castle Orde on the Hebridean island of Inchmuir and the fortunes of its family. The time is the present. The family finances are in a bad way owing to the son’s gambling debts and they are hopeful that the legendary Piper of Orde will come (supernaturally) to their rescue, as he has done before in times of trouble. When the play opens, Roderick Orde, the head of the family, is planning to sell off a valuable portrait of the Piper.

Production history

The play was staged by the Dundeed Repertory Theatre in 1956, and possibly earlier.

Date of transmission

Tuesday 20 August 1957

Time

8.45-10.15pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

James Crampsey

Playwright

Charles Campbell Gairdner

Playwright

Rosamunde Pilcher

Designer

Jack Notman

Cast

John Carlin	Colin
Ann Gudrun	Kate Dawson
Gwynneth Guthrie	Pippa
Michael O’Halloran	Roderick Orde of Inchmuir
June Shields	Lindsay
Jean Taylor Smith	Nannie
Douglas Storm	James Sturgess

Additional details

Play tags

Scotland, as theme or setting; Scottish drama; supernatural

Print sources

Title

Halle Concert to be Televised: Edinburgh Opening (Newspaper article)

Reference

The Manchester Guardian, 7 August 1957, p. 2

Linking notes

brief mention

Title

Radio Times, 16 August 1957 (Magazine)

Linking notes

pp. 12-13, listing and article

Title

Terror-Struck (Newspaper review)

Author/creator

Maurice Richardson (Reviewer)

Reference

The Observer, 25 August 1957, p. 11

Title

The Magic that Failed: The Piper of Orde (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Manchester Guardian, 21 August 1957, p. 2