British Universities Film & Video Council

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Vulgar Company

Synopsis
Episode 8 of a 26-part serialisation of the Elizabethan history play (encompassing the reign of Edward II to Henry VI), adapted for radio by Martin Jenkins.
This episode, based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, stars Martin Jarvis, Robert Hardy and Anthony Quayle. With Richard Burton as narrator. The music for the series is composed by Christopher Whelen and played by members of the English Chamber Orchestra.
Series
Vivat Rex
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Recording date
18 Jan 1977
Transmission details
3 Apr 1977 at 21:03 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration
55 mins

Credits

Director
Martin Jenkins (2)
Producer
Martin Jenkins (2)
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
Christopher Whelen
Contributor
Richard Burton
Adaptor for Radio
Martin Jenkins (2)
Cast
Robert HardyKing Henry IV
Martin JarvisPrince Henry (Hal)
Anthony QuayleSir John Falstaff
Robert PowellHenry Percy (Hotspur)
June WhitfieldMistress Quickly
Douglas BlackwellSir Walter Blunt
James ThomasonSheriff
Michael N. HarbourSir Richard Vernon
Nigel AnthonyPoins
Peter Howell (2)Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester
Robert TrotterArchibald, Earl of Douglas
Rod BeachamPeto
Timothy BatesonBardolph
Walter HallMessenger
Walter HallTraveller

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Henry IV Part 1
Subjects
Drama; History
Keywords
monarchy; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

History
VIVAT REX was presented by BBC Radio 4 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Each episode of the broadcast was repeated on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesdays at 15:05.
Stills
A large portrait of Burton in front of the microphone can be found in Radio Times, 12-18 February 1977, pp. 61-62.
Textual information
To enable listeners to follow the episodes more easily, a booklet accompanying the series was published, written by Robert Cushman.
Reviews
On Burton’s performance see David Wade, ‘Voices’, Radio Times, 19 February 1977, p. 10.
On a review of the first 6 episodes and Martin Jenkins’s view of the production see Wilfred De’ Ath’s ‘Kings complex’ in Radio Times, 26 March-1 April 1977, p. 66.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Archive

Name

British Library Sound Archive

Email
listening@bl.uk
Web
http://www.bl.uk/nsa External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7412 7676
Fax
020 7412 7441
Address
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB

Record Stats

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