King Lear
- Synopsis
- Elaborate television production of the play with William Devlin in the title role. Produced by Royston Morley with settings designed by Barry Learoyd.
- Language
- English
- Country
- Great Britain
- Medium
- Television
- Transmission details
- 22 Aug 1948 at 20:30 (Channel: BBC)
- Duration
- 200 mins
- Availability
- Unavailable
Credits
- Director
- Royston Morley
- Producer
- Douglas Allen; Royston Morley
- Writer
- William Shakespeare
- Production Design
- Barry Learoyd
- Cast
Additional Details
- Production type
- Television and Radio Drama
- Plays
- King Lear
- Subjects
- Drama
- Keywords
- Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Notes
- Notes
- Production cost: £ 243 (BBC Play Library).
Two studios and at least 17 different sets were used for this production. For the first time, scenes at the Alexandra Palace studios were shot at different floor levels. A viewer comments: "Cost of set - 2,000 shillings. Probable life of set (before becoming obsolete) 1,000 days. Loss on the great tragedy, King Lear (four nights), including power - 10 shillings. The great tragedy is mine, not Shakespeare’s" (Radio Times, 3 September 1948, p. 15).
As to costuming, Radio Times programme notes on the production design suggest that "the date will be left vague and the characters will wear costumes of what might be called traditional Arthurian type" (cf. comments in Radio Times, 20 August 1948). - History
- The production was transmitted in two parts. Part 2 was broadcast on 29 August 1948. The duration recorded for this entry refers to both parts taken together.
Production Company
- Name
BBC
- Notes
- The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
How to cite this record
Shakespeare, "King Lear". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av37094 (Accessed 26 Dec 2024)