SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Radio play about the madness of a ‘modern’ Hamlet, set in a psychiatric home in Scotland. Originally conceived as a stage play, author Moray McLaren has written his own radio version which was produced for the BBC by Val Gielgud. With David Steuart in the leading role.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

19 Jan 1947 at 21:15 (Channel: BBC Home Service)

Duration

45 mins

Availability

No copy extant

Credits

Producer

Val Gielgud

Writer

Moray McLaren

Adaptor for Radio

Moray McLaren

Cast

David Steuart	The traveller (Hamlet)
Balfour Brown	Hume
Douglas Gladdle	Mackenzie
E. J. P. Mace	Maddocks
George Davies	Jackson
Grace McChlery	Matron
Harold Wightman	Rosenkrantz (Rosencrantz)
James Gibson	Mackintosh
James Woodburn	Dr. Carnegie
Joan Fitzpatrick	Nurse
Lennox Milne	Chisholm
Moray McLaren	The dreamer
William H. D. Joss	Guidenstern (Guildenstern)

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Plays

Hamlet

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

mental disorders; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes

A copy of the script of the play and press cuttings about its performance history are held at the University of Glasgow Library, Special Collections.

General

The leading role was especially written for actor/producer David Steuart, whose performance of Hamlet in Perth, Scotland gave playwright McLaren the original idea for the play.

History

Originally produced as a stage play for The Perth Theatre, Scotland.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)