British Universities Film & Video Council

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Hamlet

Synopsis
Two-hour radio version of Shakespeare’s tragedy adapted for broadcasting by Barbara Burnham and produced by Val Gielgud. With John Gielgud in the title role, Margaretta Scott as Ophelia, Robert Donat as Horatio.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Transmission details
5 Jun 1932 at 16:15 (Channel: BBC National Programme)
Duration
120 mins
Availability
Unknown

Credits

Producer
Val Gielgud
Writer
William Shakespeare
Adaptor for Radio
Barbara Burnham
Cast
John GielgudHamlet
Francis L. SullivanClaudius
Martita HuntGertrude
A. Bromley-DavenportPolonius
Margaretta ScottOphelia
Alban BlakelockGentleman
Eric AndersonGuildenstern
Frank DentonPriest
Frank DentonFrancisco
Franklyn BellamyCaptain
Franklyn BellamyMarcellus
George DevinePlayer King
Gwendolen EvansPlayer Queen
Harman GrisewoodRosencrantz
Jack HawkinsLaertes
Leslie PerrinsGravedigger (1)
Leslie PerrinsGhost
Richard RiddleFortinbras
Robert DonatHoratio
W.E. HollowayGravedigger (2)
W.E. HollowayBarnardo

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Hamlet
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
Transmitted on Daventry National Programme.
This entry follows the transmission date as listed in The Times. The BBC Programme Records lists this production as having been broadcast on 15/6/1932.
Textual information
According to The Times, an old copy of Hamlet, containing ‘cuts’ made by Henry Irving was used by Burnham for the adaptation (30 May 1932, p. 9).
Reviews
According to the Radio Times review, this adaptation included "several novel production touches. Marcellus and Company, for instance, in the early scenes will be played by old soldiers instead of as the gallant striplings of stage tradition. This should add new point to the atmosphere of quavering superstition in which the play opens" ('John Gielgud as Hamlet’, 27 May 1932, p. 529)
Source: The Times, BBC Programme Records 1929-1932

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Record Stats

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