SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

A televised ‘operatic’ production of the play by Lionel Harris with music composed by Julian Slade and James Turner.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Television

Transmission details

16 May 1954 at 21:02 (Channel: BBC)

Duration

84 mins

Availability

Unavailable

Credits

Producer

Lionel Harris

Writer

William Shakespeare

Music

James Turner; Julian Slade

Art Direction

James Bould

Contributor

Eric Robinson; Robert McNab

Cast

David Pool	Antipholus of Ephesus
Paul Hansard	Antipholus of Syracuse
James Cairncross	Dromio of Ephesus
James Cairncross	Dromio of Syracuse
Joan Plowright	Adriana
David Bird	Angelo
Esther Lawrence	Luce
Esther Lawrence	Nun
Esther Lawrence	Courtesan
Gerald Cross	Solinus, Duke of Ephesus
Gerald Cross	Doctor Pinch
Jane Wenham	Luciana
Lally Bowers	Aemilia (Emilia)
Richard Vernon	Egeon

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Historical period

Victorian

Plays

Comedy of Errors, The

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Doubling of roles

Notes

Notes

In the manner of an operetta, scenes of dialogue in this production of the play were alternated with songs. According to The Times reviewer, "The imagination in this production lay rather in the original conception than in the performance".

The Birmingham Shakespeare Library holds a typescript.

General

Production cost: £1.943 (BBC Play Library)
Cast: 21

History

The production was transmitted again 20 May 1954.

Reviews

"'The Comedy of Errors’ as an Operetta: Television Performances," The Times 18 May 1954, p.10

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)