British Universities Film & Video Council

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King Lear

Synopsis
Shakespeare’s tragedy produced for radio by Wilfrid Grantham. This version is adapted from George Devine’s theatre production at the Stratford Memorial Theatre, with Michael Redgrave in the title role. With music composed by John Gardner and played by the Stratford Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Harold Ingram.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Recording date
29 Dec 1953
Transmission details
29 Dec 1953 at 19:55 (Channel: BBC Third Programme)
Duration
185 (incl. interval)
Availability
No archive copy known

Credits

Director
George Devine
Producer
Wilfrid Grantham
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
John Gardner
Cast
Michael RedgraveLear
Yvonne MitchellCordelia
Noel HowlettEarl of Gloucester
Leo McKernFool
Basil HoskinsEdgar, later disguised as Tom o’Bedlam
Alan TownsendCaptain
Bernard KayKnight
Charles GrayOfficer
David King (2)Duke of Burgundy
Donald EcclesOld Man
George HartOfficer
Harry AndrewsEarl of Kent
James WellmanServant
Jerome WillisCuran
Joan SandersonGoneril
John GlendenningOfficer
Mervyn BlakeServant
Michael HayesKing of France
Michael TurnerDoctor
Michael WarreDuke of Albany
Peter DuguidServant
Peter JohnsonGentleman
Philip MorantKnight
Rachel KempsonRegan
Robert ShawEdmund
Thomas PowysDuke of Cornwall
William PeacockOswald

Additional Details

Theatre
Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Theatre company
Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company
Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
King Lear
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General
Rehearsals: 27/12/1953-28/12/1953
History
The press night for the stage performance at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, was on 14/07/1953. The programme is broadcast in two parts with a 15-minute interval at 21:15.
Textual information
A written transcript of the production is held at the Birmingham Central Library as part of their Shakespeare Collection.
Reviews
"In these switches from defiance to dread, from pride to apprehensive anxiety, Mr. Redgrave raked the extremes of Lear’s tragedy" (T.C. Kemp, ‘I’ll Not Weep’, Radio Times, 25 December 1953, p. 21)

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Record Stats

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