William and the Lost Tourist

Synopsis: Martin Jarvis reads the ‘William and the Lost Tourist’ from William the Conquerer written by Richmal Crompton. Learning a speech from Julius Caesar proves unexpectedly useful in coming to the assistance of a beautiful American visitor.
Series: Just William - Live!
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: 23 Dec 2003 at 11:30 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration: 30 mins

Writer

Richmal Crompton

Cast

Martin Jarvis

Production type: Television and Radio Drama
Keywords: Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Stratford-upon-Avon; Heritage industry

Notes: Available on CD and audiotape as JUST WILLIAM:LIVE ON STAGE " (BBC Radio Collection). The story is also included in THE SHAKESPEARE REVUE by Christopher Luscombe and Malcolm McKee. See the catalogue entry for details of format and availability.
General: The event was recorded at the Everyman Theatre as part of the Cheltenham Festival of Literature. The story was written in 1926 and even then Shakespeare was perceived as being part of the heritage industry and William and the Lost Tourist is a satire on tourism. William encounters an American lady and says " She’s looking for "Stratford-upon-Avon, that Shakespeare guy’s place. If I don’t do it today I’ll never do it. Everyone I know’s done it, an’ to go back home an’ say that I’ve not seen Stratford - well I’d never hold my head up again - never." There are several other references to Shakespeare in the Just William books.

Shakespeare, "William and the Lost Tourist". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av37389 (Accessed 25 Nov 2024)

SHAKESPEARE