Little Princes, The

Synopsis
Episode 22 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 III, stars Norman Rodway, Derek Godfrey and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies. 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
5 Dec 1976
Transmission details
10 Jul 1977 at 21:03 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration
55 mins
Availability
Unknown

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
Gwen Ffrangcon-DaviesDuchess of York
Elizabeth LindsayPrince Edward (Prince of Wales)
Judy BennettRichard, the young Duke of York
Bruce BeebySir Robert Brackenbury
Christopher BenjaminLord Hastings
Colin DouglasStanley, Earl of Derby
Derek GodfreyDuke of Buckingham
Godfrey KentonArchbishop of York (Cardinal)
Ian OgilvyEdward, Earl of March, later Edward IV
James ThomasonBishop of Ely
Jane KnowlesLady Anne
Jeffrey SegalMessenger
Jeffrey SegalLord Mayor of London
Kerry FrancisSir William Catesby
Michael Tudor BarnesSir Richard Ratcliffe
Norman RodwayRichard, Duke of Gloucester, later King Richard
Paul MeierMarquis of Dorset
Peter CrazeLord Grey
Rod BeachamSir James Tyrrel
Susan EngelQueen Elizabeth
Walter HallEarl Rivers

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Richard III
Subjects
Drama; History
Keywords
monarchy; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

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, "Little Princes, The". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av68099 (Accessed 05 Dec 2024)