British Universities Film & Video Council

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Henry the Eighth

Alternative title
Henry VIII
Synopsis
Radio version of Shakespeare’s play adapted for radio by Clemence Dane (pseudonym for English novelist Winifred Ashton) and produced by Peter Watts and Audrey Cameron. The all-star cast includes Sybil Thorndike as Katherine, Ralph Richardson as Wolsey and Laurence Olivier as Porter. With music composed by Henry VIII and arranged by Alan Paul. The Boyd Neel Orchestra is conducted by John Hollingsworth.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Transmission details
14 Jun 1954 at 21:15 (Channel: BBC Home Service)
Duration
95 mins

Credits

Producer
Audrey Cameron; Peter Watts
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
King of England Henry VIII
Contributor
Alan Paul; John Hollingsworth
Adaptor for Radio
Clemence Dane
Cast
Ralph TrumanKing Henry VIII
Sybil ThorndikeQueen Katherine
Robert DonatThomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury
Ralph RichardsonCardinal Wolsey
Vivien LeighAnne Boleyn
Alan Reid 
Alan WebbLord Caputius
Alan WheatleyEarl of Surrey
Annabel Maule 
Athene SeylerOld Lady
Audrey CameronPatience
Brian Haines 
Bryan Powley 
Catherine Salkeld 
Derek Birch 
Eliot MakehamMessenger
Ernest ThesigerLord Chancellor
Esme PercyDoctor Butts
Geoffrey Matthews 
George HaganGentleman
George RoseCardinal Campeius
Godfrey KentonDuke of Suffolk
Harold ScottSir Thomas Lovell
Henry CummingsSinger
Henry OscarSurveyor
Hugh David 
Janet Burnell 
John Gabriel 
John GielgudDuke of Buckingham
Laidman BrowneThomas Cromwell
Laurence OlivierPorter
Leon QuartermaineLord Chamberlain
Lewis CassonGriffith
Manning Wilson 
Mary Wimbush 
Michael TurnerHerald
Nicholas HannenPrologue
Paul ScofieldDuke of Norfolk
Pauline BrocklessSinger
Peter Claughton 
Peter Howell 
Richard BebbLord Sandys
Richard Waring 
Rupert Davies 
Russell ThorndikeGardiner, later Bishop of Winchester
Sulwen Morgan 
T. St John Barry 

Additional Details

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

Notes

History
Broadcast as a tribute to Sybil Thorndike on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in the theatre.
Stills
A photograph showing Olivier, Scofield and Donat rehearsing in front of the microphone can be found in Val Gielgud’s British Radio Drama 1922-1956 (London: Harrap, 1957), plate 65.
Reviews
Source: The Times, Radio Times

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Record Stats

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