Second-Best Bed, The

Alternative title

Usyless Discussion on Hamlet or Hamnet, A

Synopsis

Radio play arranged for broadcasting by John Keir Cross. The single-act play is based on the Shakespearean dialogue in Chapter 9: ‘Scylla and Charybdis’ of James Joyce’s Ulysses.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

1 Jan 1949 at 19:05 (Channel: BBC Third Programme)

Duration

45 mins

Availability

No archive copy known

Credits

Producer

Noel Iliff

Writer

James Joyce

Adaptor for Radio

John Cross

Cast

Cyril Cusack	Stephen Dedalus
Denis Carey	Richard Best
Harry Hutchinson	Mr. Lyster
L. A. G. Strong	George Russelll (aka A. E.)
Nigel Fitzgerald	John Eglington

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Plays

Hamlet

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes

According to Jane A. Lewty, THE SECOND-BEST BED is a pared down version of John Keir Cross’ project to adapt Ulysses for radio in the hope that "a radio version should make of [it] a friendlier work altogether - remove from its stigma of over-highbrowism". The outcome, as Lewty remarks, "consists of a dialogue not dissimilar to a radio talk on an educational topic" . Cf. Lewty’s essay on ‘Aurality and Adaptation: Radioplay in Ulysses’ in Hypermedia Joyce Studies, 6.1. (2005). Available at: http://hjs.ff.cuni.cz/archives/v3/lewty2.html (accessed 23 October 2006).

History

This production was one of several Hamlet programmes that were being transmitted on BBC that week. The broadcast was repeated on BBC Third Programme, June 30, 1949.

Reviews

http://hjs.ff.cuni.cz/archives/v3/lewty2.html

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)