Midsummer Night’s Dream, A

Synopsis

Radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy produced by R. D. Smith with music by Carl Orff. Robert Harris stars as Oberon, Charles Leno is Bottom. The Ambrosian Singers and New Symphony Orchestra are conducted by Maurice Miles.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

24 Jun 1955 at 20:20 (Channel: BBC Home Service)

Duration

140 (incl. interval)

Availability

Unknown

Credits

Producer

R. D. Smith

Writer

William Shakespeare

Music

Carl Orff

Contributor

Maurice Miles

Cast

Valentine Dyall	Theseus
Nicolette Bernard	Hippolyta
Robert Harris	Oberon
Cecile Cherreau	Titania
Sean Barrett	Puck (Robin Goodfellow)
Allan McClelland	Francis Flute
Anthony Jacobs	Demetrius
Beth Boyd	Fairy
Betty Linton	Peaseblossom
Charles Leno	Nick Bottom
Denise Bryer	Helena
Derek Birch	Egeus
Gabrielle Blunt	Hermia
Geoffrey Lumsden	Tom Snout
Jill Nyasa	Moth
John Dearth	Philostrate
John Gabriel	Peter Quince
John Ruddock	Robin Starveling
Manning Wilson	Snug
Michael Ingham	Lysander
Molly Lawson	Mustardseed
Olive Kirby	Cobweb

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Plays

Midsummer Night’s Dream, A

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General

Rehearsals: 20/6/1955-25/6/1955

History

Broadcast in two parts with a 20-minute interval at 9.50 pm during which early English music was played from records

Textual information

A script of this programme is held in the Shakespeare Collection of the Birmingham Central Library.

Reviews

Source: The Times, Radio Times
Deryck Cook writes on the use of Orff’s music in ‘The Week’s Music’, Radio Times, 17 June 1955, p. 4.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)