Merchant of Venice, The

Synopsis
Laidman Brown and Lydia Sherwood star in this production of the play by Raymond Raikes which has been shortened and rearranged for radio adaptation. With music specially composed by Leon Young. The BBC Singers and Variety Orchestra are conducted by Rae Jenkins. Frederick Allen narrates.
Series
World Theatre
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Recording date
11 Jun 1949
Transmission details
27 Jun 1949 at 21:20 (Channel: BBC Home Service)
Duration
85 mins
Availability
Unknown

Credits

Producer
Raymond Raikes
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
Leon Young
Cast
Laidman BrowneShylock
Ralph TrumanAntonio
James McKechnieBassanio
Lydia SherwoodPortia
Michael HordernGratiano
Andrew FauldsLorenzo
Beryl CalderNerissa
Bryan PowleyBalthazar
David KossoffTubal
Diana MaddoxServant to Portia (Servant)
Diana MaddoxStephano
Diana MaddoxSinger
Elaine MontgomerieJessica
Frederick AllenNarrator
Frederick AllenDuke of Venice
Heron CarvicPrince of Arragon
Raf de la TorrePrince of Morocco

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Merchant of Venice, The
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
This production is advertised on the front cover of Radio Times as being "of outstanding interest as a bold attempt to translate Shakespeare into radio terms" (24 June 1949).
General
Rehearsals took place from 8/6/1949-11/6/1949.
History
According to Radio Times programme announcement, this was the first radio presentation of The Merchant of Venice since 1936, apart from a studio version of a stage production by the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company, broadcast on BBC Midlands in July 1948.
Textual information
A written transcript of the production is held at the Birmingham Central Library as part of their Shakespeare Collection.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Merchant of Venice, The". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av66736 (Accessed 25 Nov 2024)