Joan of Arc

Synopsis: Episode 15 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 V and Henry VI, stars Martin Jarvis, Paul Scofield and Hannah Gordon. 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: 22 Feb 1977
Transmission details: 22 May 1977 at 21:03 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration: 55 mins

Director

Martin Jenkins (2)

Producer

Writer

Music

Contributor

Adaptor for Radio

Martin Jenkins (2)

Cast

Martin Jarvis	King Henry V
Paul Scofield	Chorus
Bernard Hepton	Duke of Gloucester
Clive Swift	Sir John Talbot, later Earl of Shrewsbury
Hannah Gordon	Joan la Pucelle
Alaric Cotter	Soldier
Alaric Cotter	Messenger
Brian Haines	Duke of Exeter
Colin Baker	Prince John of Lancaster
David Graham	Earl of Westmoreland
Geoffrey Matthews	Gower
Gerald James	Fluellen
Hugh Dickson	King Charles VI of France
James Thomason	Reignier, Duke of Anjou
John Hollis	Pistol
John Rye	Charles, Dauphin of France
Michael Aldridge	Duke of Burgundy
Michael Goldie	Master Gunner
Michael Tudor Barnes	Duke of Alençon
Peter Howell (2)	Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester
Shirley Dixon	Queen Isabel
William Sleigh	Bastard of Orléans
Yvonne Coulette	Alice

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.

British Universities Film & Video Council