King Henry the Fourth

Synopsis: Sixth episode in an 8-part radio serialisation of Shakespeare’s two parts of King Henry IV. Arranged for broadcasting by Robert Gittings. With Ralph Richardson as Falstaff and Laurence Olivier as narrator. Produced by John Burrell with incidental music composed and conducted by Herbert Menges.
Series: King Henry the Fourth
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: 5 Jul 1945 at 21:30 (Channel: BBC Home Service)
Duration: 45 mins
Availability: Unknown

General: Laurence Olivier acts as Sir Pierce of Exton, the narrator, or chronicler, for the broadcast episodes. A character borrowed from Richard II, he is a "man in retirement ... - he is a sardonic and personal commentator on all the events of the reign" (Robert Gittings, ‘Shakespeare Serialised’, Radio Times, 4 May 1945).
Textual information: A written transcript of the production is held at the Birmingham Central Library as part of their Shakespeare Collection.
Reviews: Source: Radio Times. Robert Gittings introduces his adaptation in ‘Shakespeare Serialised’ . According to Gittings, Ralph Richardson as Falstaff "suggests a fatness, of body and spirit, beyond anything that stage-padding could achieve" (Radio Times, 4 May 1945).

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Michael Warre	Prince Henry (Hal)
Ralph Richardson	Sir John Falstaff
Sybil Thorndike	Mistress Quickly
Charles Leno	First Drawer (Drawer)
Diana Maddox	Page
Esmond Knight	Pistol
George Rose	Snare
Harcourt Williams	Lord Bardolph
Humphrey Heathcote	Second Drawer (Drawer)
John Rae	Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland
Joyce Redman	First Girl
Joyce Redman	Doll Tearsheet
Laurence Olivier	Sir Piers Exton
Margaret Leighton	Lady Percy
Mark Dignam	Lord Chief Justice
Michael Hitchman	Scroop, Archbishop of York
Michael Raghan	Bardolph
Sidney Tafler	Poins
Weyman Mackay	Peto

British Universities Film & Video Council