SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Radio play about Shakespeare written by Lawrence du Garde Peach for the BBC Children’s Hour programme. According to the Radio Times programme description, the plot encompasses both young Shakespeare’s escapades in Stratford-upon-Avon and an older Shakespeare’s meeting with Burbage and Queen Elizabeth in London. The play seems to have been specifically commissioned for this broadcast. The part of Shakespeare is divided between two different performers with Robert Harris playing young Shakespeare and Robert Holland as the older playwright.

Series

Children’s Hour, The

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

23 Apr 1938 at 17:00 (Channel: BBC Regional Programme)

Duration

45 mins

Credits

Producer

Derek McCulloch

Writer

Lawrence du Garde Peach

Cast

Dick Spender
E. Stuart Vinden
Helmar Fernback
John Lang
Mavis Walker
Robert Harris	Shakespeare the younger
Robert Holland	Shakespeare the older
Valerie Larg
William Hughes
William Warren

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

biographies; children’s drama; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Children’s radio

Notes

Notes

The broadcast of the radio play was followed by a fifteen-minute transmission of ‘Shakespeare Songs’ sung by the BBC Midland Singers with Edgar Morgan as conductor.

History

This radio play was broadcast in the BBC’s Children’s Hour programme, a slot aimed at children aged about 5 to 15 years which was transmitted from 5pm to 6pm on weekdays. The Children’s Hour was broadcast from 1922 to 1964.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)