SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Radio programme on the Shakespeare authorship controversy. An enquiry conducted by Rene Cutforth examining the case of five claimants for the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays. According to Sir John Weir Russell (barrister-at-law), Martin Pares (President of the Baconian Society), R. Charles Liebman, Nigel Surry, actor-director John Blatchley and David W.T.C. Vessey, who are interviewed in the programme, there is evidence against William Shakespeare as author. Much more likely claimants for the title are Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, Edward de Vere, King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I. Ivor Brown and H.N. Gibson argue the case for Shakespeare.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Recording date

13 May 1964

Transmission details

17 May 1964 at 22:10 (Channel: BBC Home Service)

Duration

40 mins

Credits

Producer

Francis Dillon

Contributor

Charles Liebman; David Vessey; David W.C. Bessey; H. N. Gibson; Ivor Brown; John Blatchley; John Neville; John Weir Russell; Martin Pares; Nigel Surrey; Réné Cutforth; Robert Galdwell; Valentine Dyall

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Authorship

Notes

Notes

The programme includes excerpts from Romeo and Juliet, Troilus and Cressida, Sonnets 125, 76, 91, and Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus and Tamburlaine read by Valentine Dyall, John Neville and Robert Gladwell.

A written transcript of the programme can be consulted on microfiche by bona fide researchers at the BBC Written Archives at Caversham.

General

H.N. Gibson is the author of The Shakespeare Claimants: A Critical Survey of the Four Principal Theories Concerning the Authorship of the Shakespearean Plays (New York: Barnes & Noble, 1962) which is freely available online at www.questia.com (access date 16 June 2006).

History

This broadcast was transmitted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in the Ideas series on January 25th 1972 under the title SHAKESPEARE IN THE GLOBAL VILLAGE: SHAKESPEARE OF THE GLOBE and is available for listening in the CBC Archives. It is believed that there is no copy in the BBC archives.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)