British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

King Lear

Synopsis
Elaborate television production of the play with William Devlin in the title role. Produced by Royston Morley with settings designed by Barry Learoyd.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Television
Transmission details
22 Aug 1948 at 20:30 (Channel: BBC)
Duration
200 mins
Availability
Unavailable

Credits

Director
Royston Morley
Producer
Douglas Allen; Royston Morley
Writer
William Shakespeare
Production Design
Barry Learoyd
Cast
William DevlinLear
Ursula HowellsCordelia
Henry OscarEarl of Gloucester
Alan WheatleyFool
Robert HarrisEdgar, later disguised as Tom o’Bedlam
Cyril ConwayDuke of Burgundy
Cyril Hardingham 
Frederick Ross 
John Baker 
John ChandosOswald
John VereGentleman
Maxwell Jackson 
Michael AshwinKing of France
Nicolette BernardRegan
Norman ClaridgeDuke of Albany
Patrick TroughtonEdmund
Reginald TateDuke of Cornwall
Robert SansomEarl of Kent
Rosalie CrutchleyGoneril

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
King Lear
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
Production cost: £ 243 (BBC Play Library).
Two studios and at least 17 different sets were used for this production. For the first time, scenes at the Alexandra Palace studios were shot at different floor levels. A viewer comments: "Cost of set - 2,000 shillings. Probable life of set (before becoming obsolete) 1,000 days. Loss on the great tragedy, King Lear (four nights), including power - 10 shillings. The great tragedy is mine, not Shakespeare’s" (Radio Times, 3 September 1948, p. 15).
As to costuming, Radio Times programme notes on the production design suggest that "the date will be left vague and the characters will wear costumes of what might be called traditional Arthurian type" (cf. comments in Radio Times, 20 August 1948).
History
The production was transmitted in two parts. Part 2 was broadcast on 29 August 1948. The duration recorded for this entry refers to both parts taken together.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Record Stats

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