British Universities Film & Video Council

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Elizabeth

Synopsis
Last episode 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 VIII, stars Robert Lang, Sian Phillips and John Gielgud. 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
26 Apr 1977
Transmission details
7 Aug 1977 at 21:03 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration
55 mins
Availability
Unknown

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 LangKing Henry VIII
Sian PhillipsQueen Katherine
John GielgudThomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury
Stephen MurrayCardinal Wolsey
Douglas BlackwellDoctor Butts
Flora RobsonOld Lady
Henry KnowlesDuke of Suffolk
Jack MayLord Chamberlain
Joan MathesonPatience
Johnathan ScottGardiner, later Bishop of Winchester
Keith DrinkelEarl of Surrey
Kenneth ShanleySecretary
Kevin FloodDuke of Norfolk
Lyndon BrookThomas Cromwell
Malcolm GerardScribe
Neville JasonLord Caputius
Neville JasonThomas More
Pauline LettsOld Lady
Peter CrazeDoor Keeper
Peter Howell (2)Lord Sandys
Richard PearsonGriffith
Timothy BatesonSir Thomas Lovell

Additional Details

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

Notes

General
According to Radio Times programme notes, the series ends to the cry of "Vivat, Vivat Regina!" (6-12 August 1977, p. 35).
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

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