Treason

Synopsis
Episode 5 of a 26-part serialisation of the Elizabethan history play (encompassing the reign of Edward II to Henry VI), adapted for radio by Martin Jenkins.
This episode, based on Shakespeare’s Richard II and the anonymous Woodstock, stars Derek Jacobi as Richard II and Robert Hardy as Bolingbroke.
With Richard Burton as narrator. The music for the series is composed by Christopher Whelen and played by members of the English Chamber Orchestra.
Series
Vivat Rex
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Recording date
1 Mar 1977
Transmission details
13 Mar 1977 at 21:03 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration
55 mins

Credits

Director
Martin Jenkins (2)
Producer
Martin Jenkins (2)
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
Christopher Whelen
Contributor
Richard Burton
Adaptor for Radio
Martin Jenkins (2)
Cast
Derek JacobiKing Richard II
Maureen O’BrienQueen Isabel
Michael RedgraveJohn of Gaunt
Robert HardyBolingbroke
Barbara JeffordDuchess of Gloucester
Alan Dudley 
Christopher GoodGreen
Christopher NeameGhost of Edward I
Clifford RoseEdmund of Langley, Duke of York
Don HendersonThomas Mowbray
Jeffrey SegalCheyney
Keith Michell 
Malcolm ReidDuke of Aumerle
Michael GoldieMurderer (1)
Michael GoldieLord Marshal
Nigel LambertBushy
Nigel Stock 
Patrick TroughtonHenry Percy, Earl of Northumberland
Paul MeierSir Stephen Scroope
Sion ProbertBagot
Walter HallMurderer (2)
William EedleLapoole

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Richard II
Subjects
Drama; History
Keywords
monarchy; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Related items
Figures of God’s Majesty

Notes

History
VIVAT REX was presented by BBC Radio 4 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Each episode of the broadcast was repeated on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesdays at 15:05.
Stills
A large portrait of Burton in front of the microphone can be found in Radio Times, 12-18 February 1977, pp. 61-62.
Textual information
To enable listeners to follow the episodes more easily, a booklet accompanying the series was published, written by Robert Cushman.
Reviews
On Burton’s performance see David Wade, ‘Voices’, Radio Times, 19 February 1977, p. 10.
On a review of the first 6 episodes and Martin Jenkins’s view of the production see Wilfred De’ Ath’s ‘Kings complex’ in Radio Times, 26 March-1 April 1977, p. 66.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Archive

Name

British Library Sound Archive

Email
listening@bl.uk
Web
http://www.bl.uk/nsa External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7412 7676
Fax
020 7412 7441
Address
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Treason". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av67867 (Accessed 06 Dec 2024)