British Universities Film & Video Council

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Witchcraft

Synopsis
Episode 17 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 VI, stars Hannah Gordon, Peggy Ashcroft and Peter Jeffrey. 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
3 Jun 1977
Transmission details
5 Jun 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
James LaurensonKing Henry VI
Peter JeffreyRichard Plantagenet, later Duke of York
Bernard HeptonDuke of Gloucester
Hannah GordonJoan la Pucelle
Brian HainesDuke of Exeter
Charles GrayEarl of Warwick
David BuckDuke of Somerset
Irene SutcliffeEleanor, Duchess of Gloucester
James ThomasonReignier, Duke of Anjou
Jeffrey SegalJoan’s Father
John GabrielHum
Jonathan ScottBolingbroke
Julian GloverDuke of Suffolk (William de la Pole)
Peggy AshcroftMargaret, daughter of King Reignier
Peter Howell (2)Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester
William EedleJohn Southwell

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Henry VI 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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