Unity of ‘Henry IV’, The

Synopsis

Radio broadcast. Critical discussion between Shakespeare scholars E. M. W. Tillyard and Clifford Leech on whether the two parts of Henry IV should be conceived as a whole or whether Part 2 is to be regarded as a sequel, written because of the remarkable success of Part 1. Leech argues that the darker note in the second part does not blend easily with the greater lightheartedness of Part 1, whereas Tillyard holds the ‘unitarian’ view that the two plays constitute a coherent unit. Roy Walker chairs the debate.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

22 May 1955 at 21:45 (Channel: BBC Third Programme)

Duration

105 mins

Availability

Unknown

Credits

Contributor

Clifford Leech; E. M. W. Tillyard; Roy Walker

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Plays

Henry IV Part 1; Henry IV Part 2

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); textual analysis

Notes

Textual information

A written transcript of the production is held at the Birmingham Central Library as part of their Shakespeare Collection.

Reviews

Source: The Times, Radio Times

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)