Pearl

Synopsis

Radio play written by John Arden. Set in the years leading to the English Civil War it concerns a 17th-century playwright in the tradition of Shakespeare, Backhouse (David Calder),and a mysterious woman agent called Pearl (Elizabeth Bell). The play opens with a performance of Julius Caesar. Directed by Alfred Bradley with music composed by Stephen Boxer.

Series

Monday Play, The

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Recording date

26 May 1978

Transmission details

3 Jul 1978 at 19:20 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)

Duration

115 mins

Credits

Producer

Alfred Bradley

Writer

John Arden

Music

Stephen Boxer (2)

Cast

David Calder	Backhouse
David Mahlowe	Barnabas
Elizabeth Bell	Pearl
Geoffrey Banks	Gideon Grip
Jane Knowles	Katerina
John Jardine	Stage-Manager
Kathleen Helme	Duchess
Kenneth Taylor	Catso
Lynda Marchal	Belladonna
Paula Tilbrook	Mother Bumroll
Peter Jeffrey	Grimscar
Robert Morton	Ahasuerus
Ronald Herdman	Dr Sowse

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Historical period

17th Century

Plays

Julius Caesar

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Mystery

Notes

Reviews

In ‘Arden’s Pearl’ (Radio Times, 1-7 July 1978, p. 12), John Arden talks to Paul Valley about his production and his career as playwright.

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