The Proposal

Summary

The Radio Times (2 April 1937, p. 2) introduces this BBC Television production of Chekhov’s The Proposal as follows: ‘This is one of many short plays written by Tchekov, some serious, some comedies. The Proposal he called "a jest in one act". In this production the cast consists of William Devlin, a brilliant young actor now playing in The Ascent of F6, Rudolf Brandt, now playing in Balalaika, and Janet Bruce, who was recently stage manager and actress in the Brighton Repertory Company’.

Theatre play

The Proposal by Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) [more information]

Play synopsis

A one-act farce of dialogue-based action and situational humour. Lomov, neighbour of Chubukov, has come to propose marriage to Chubukov’s 25-year-old daughter, Natalia. After he has asked and received joyful permission to marry Natalia, she is invited into the room, and he tries to convey to her the proposal. Lomov is a hypochondriac, and, while trying to make clear his reasons for being there, he gets into an argument with Natalia about The Oxen Meadows, a disputed piece of land between their respective properties, which results in him having "palpitations" and numbness in his leg. After her father notices they are arguing, he joins in and then sends Ivan away. While Stepan rants about Lomov, he expresses his shock that "this fool dares to make you (Natalia) a proposal of marriage!" She become hysterical, begging for her father to bring him back. He does, and Natalia and Ivan get into a second big argument, this time about the superiority of their respective hunting dogs. Ivan collapses from his exhaustion over arguing, and father and daughter fear he’s dead. However, after a few minutes he regains consciousness, and Tschubukov all but forces him and his daughter to accept the proposal with a kiss. Immediately following the kiss, the couple get into another argument.

Production history

Written in 1888-89 and first performed in 1890.

Date of transmission

Tuesday 6 April 1937

Time

3.00pm (20 mins)

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Eric Crozier (1914-1994)

Playwright

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)

Translator

Constance Garnett

Cast

Rudolph Brandt	Lomov
Janet Bruce	Natasha
William Devlin (1911-1987)	Tchubov

Additional details

Later transmissions

Broadcast again with the same cast at 3.40pm on Monday 26 April, and also at 9.00pm on Saturday 18 September 1937.

Notes

The BBC Television Programme Records, vol. 1, p. 27 notes that ‘From 3.15 approx. the play was radiated on sound only’.

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

19th-century setting; comedy; farce; Russian drama

Print sources

Title

BBC Television Programme Records: vol. 1, 1937-38 (Book)

Reference

London: British Broadcasting Corporation, 1938

Linking notes

listing on pp. 26-27

Title

Radio Times, 2 April 1937 (Magazine)

Linking notes

p. 2

Title

Radio Times, 23 April 1937 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing and image of William Devlin in character on p. 2