British Universities Film & Video Council

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Ghosts

Synopsis
Episode 23 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 Richard III and John Ford’s Perkin Warbeck, stars Norman Rodway, Derek Godfrey and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies. 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
Transmission details
19 Jul 1977 at 21:03 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration
55 mins
Availability
Unknown

Credits

Director
Gerry Jones
Producer
Gerry Jones
Writer
John Ford; William Shakespeare
Music
Christopher Whelen
Contributor
Richard Burton
Adaptor for Radio
Martin Jenkins (2)
Cast
Gwen Ffrangcon-DaviesDuchess of York
Allan CuthbertsonEarl of Oxford
Christopher BenjaminGhost of Hastings (Ghost)
Christopher GuardGhost of Prince Edward
Colin DouglasStanley, Earl of Derby
Derek GodfreyDuke of Buckingham
Geoffrey CollinsGhost of Clarence (Ghost)
Gerald CrossBishop Fox
James LaurensonGhost of King Henry VI
Jane KnowlesGhost of Lady Anne (Ghost)
Kerry FrancisSir William Catesby
Michael GoldieDawbeney
Michael Tudor BarnesSir Richard Ratcliffe
Norman RodwayRichard, Duke of Gloucester, later King Richard
Peter CrazeLord Grey
Peter CrazeGhost of Grey (Ghost)
Peter WoodthorpeClifford
Rod BeachamDuke of Norfolk
Susan EngelQueen Elizabeth
Walter HallEarl Rivers
Walter HallGhost of Rivers (Ghost)

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Richard III
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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