Henry IV

Summary

1959 BBC Television production of Luigi Pirandello’s drama Henry IV.

Theatre play

Henry IV by Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936) [more information]

Play synopsis

'A talented actor and historian falls off his horse in a historical pageant while playing the role of Henry IV. When he comes to, he believes himself to be Henry. For the next twenty years his nephew, Count de Nolli, funds an elaborate hoax in a remote villa, where actors play the roles of Henry’s privy councillors and simulate the 11th-century court. On request from his dying mother, de Nolli brings a doctor referred to as the latest in a succession to try to cure Henry... All the action of the play occurs in this one day of the visit... Once the visitors arrive Henry declares to his councillors that he is not truly mad, but has been aware of the nature of his existence for some time. However he has preferred to stay as he was than to live in the 20th century... Upon learning of this revelation the visitors confront Henry, who reacts angrily to them, particularly Belcredi... Henry stabs Belcredi. The visitors flee, and Henry resumes his regal persona as the curtain falls.' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_IV_(Pirandello); accessed 8 January 2014)

Production history

Written in Italian in 1921 and premiered the following year. Published in Edward Storer’s translation in New York by E. P. Dutton in 1922.

Date of transmission

Tuesday 14 July 1959

Time

9.30-11.00pm

Series

Television World Theatre

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

John Harrison

Playwright

Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936)

Translator

Edward Storer (1882-1944)

Designer

Guy Sheppard

Cast

Derek Godfrey	Charles
Bernard Kay	Ordulph
Martin Miller	The Doctor
Joy Parker	Frida
Gordon Phillott	Old John
Denis Quilley	Landolph
Paul Scofield	'Henry IV’
Margaretta Scott	Donna Matilda
Brian Smith	Harold
John Southworth	Bethold
André Van Gyseghem	Baron Tito Belcredi

Additional details

Play tags

11th-century setting; Italian drama; Italy, as theme or setting; royalty; theatre or acting, as theme

Audiovisual sources

Title

Henry IV (BBC, 1959)

Archive

BBC Information and Archives [more information]

Address

White City
London
UK

Telephone

+44 (0)20 8008 2288

Website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/informationandarchives/

Access

BBC Information and Archives is not open to the public.

Print sources

Title

Mad as an Actor (Newspaper review)

Author/creator

Maurice Richardson (Reviewer)

Reference

The Observer, 19 July 1959, p. 10

Title

More Pirandello: Television Play Veers Uncomfortably (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Times, 12 October 1959, p. 6

Linking notes

passing mention

Title

Not the Best Pirandello (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Manchester Guardian, 12 October 1959, p. 5

Linking notes

passing mention

Title

Pirandello on BBC Television: Mr Scofield’s Henry IV (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Times, 15 July 1959, p. 8

Title

Pirandello’s World of Make-Believe (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Manchester Guardian, 16 July 1959, p. 5

Title

Radio Times, 10 July 1959 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, with image, p. 12; article, p. 5