Beau Brummell: This Charming Man

Synopsis: Television drama about the Regency dandy Beau Brummell focusing on his relationship with the Prince Regent. There are Shakespeare references throughout especially in two short scenes in which the Prince asks Brummell to entertain him and requests that they read together from Henry IV. Parts 1 and 2. The Prince takes the part of Hal and Brummell that of Falstaff. The readings include the ‘I know thee not, old man’ highlighting Brummell’s fall from grace when the Prince Regent eventually rejects him. The slim and elegant Brummell makes the original ‘who’s your fat friend joke’ about the Prince, a reversal of typecasting of the roles of Hal and Falstaff also commented on in the script.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 19 Jun 2006 at 21:00 (Channel: BBC4)
Duration: 80 mins

Director

Philippa Lowthorpe

Producer

David Edgar (2)

Screenplay

Simon Bent

Cast

Hugh Bonneville	Prince Regent (Prince Henry (Hal))
James Purefoy	Beau Brummell (Sir John Falstaff)
Matthew Rhys	Lord Byron
Phil Davis	Master Servant Robinson

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