SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Classic British sitcom centred around two rag and bone men. Albert and Harold are reflecting on the possibility of a joint suicide to end their financial problems. Harold quotes from Hamlet ‘to die- to sleep’ (III ii) Another voice is heard finishing the quotation, and a stranger (Rossiter) appears offering cheap lead for sale. Albert believes it to be stolen, but Harold sees a chance to make easy money.

Series

Steptoe and son

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Television

Transmission details

21 Jan 1964 (Channel: BBC)

Duration

30 mins

Credits

Producer

Duncan Wood

Writer

Alan Simpson; Ray Galton

Cast

Harry H. Corbett	Harold
Leonard Rossiter	Welsh Hughie
Wilfrid Brambell	Albert

Additional Details

Production type

Sitcoms/Variety

Plays

Hamlet

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes

The episode was available for sale on video but was deleted c1998. A 1966 radio adaptation of the television programme is available on audiocassette from the BBC Shop (2006)

General

When this episode was repeated on Thursday October 15 1964, General Election day, transmission was delayed because the series was commanding such high viewing figures (c10 million) that it was felt that showing the episode in peak time would deter the public from going to the polls.

History

Episode 3 in Season 3

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7255 1444

Fax

020 7436 0165

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN