'Summer Theatre’ Presents: Will Shakespeare

Alternative title
An Invention
Synopsis
Radio adaptation of the play which was originally written for the stage by British playwright Clemence Dane (1888-1965). The plot links Shakespeare and the ‘Dark Lady’ of the sonnets with the mysterious death of Shakespeare’s fellow dramatist, Christopher Marlowe.
Series
Summer Theatre
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Transmission details
23 Aug 1947 at 20:00 (Channel: BBC Home Service)
Duration
120 mins
Availability
No archive copy known

Credits

Producer
Peter Watts
Writer
Clemence Dane
Cast
Baliol HollowayHenslowe
Basil Jones 
Claire Bloom 
Donald Eccles 
Elsa Palmer 
Fay ComptonMary Fitton
Gladys YoungQueen Elizabeth
John Alexander (2) 
Marjorie WestburyAnne
Raf de la Torre 
Sebastian ShawKit Marlowe
Val GielgudShakespeare
Vivienne ChattertonMrs. Hathaway

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
biographies; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
This programme information is based on the Radio Times Listings for the day according to which the play was broadcast in two parts: Part 1: 20.00-21.00, Part 2: 21.20-22.20.
General
Dane’s Will Shakespeare: An Invention in Four Acts, a play written in blank verse, was published in 1921.
History
Stage play premiered at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, 17 November 1921. Initially a scene from Act IV was broadcast on BBC London (5/9/1926), Val Gielgud produced it for the National Programme (23/4/1931), and several BBC radio productions followed. The play was subsequently produced for BBC Television on April 3,1938 (see separate entry).

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "'Summer Theatre’ Presents: Will Shakespeare". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av38274 (Accessed 26 Dec 2024)