SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Radio broadcast. 4-part weekly series, presented by Patrick Martyn, showcasing contemporary musical adaptations inspired by Shakespeare. The pieces examined range from popular musicals such as Kiss Me Kate and West Side Story, to songs that use Shakespeare’s words ('What Piece of Work is Man’ from the musical Hair and Cleo Laine’s ‘Shakespeare And All That Jazz’. The programme also features music written for films, including Hamlet (1964) Branagh and Olivier’s productions of HENRY V, and Forbidden Planet.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

22 Apr 1994 at 10:30 (Channel: BBC World Service)

Duration

30 mins

Availability

Unknown

Credits

Producer

Dave Tate

Music

Bebe Barron; Cleo Laine; Cole Porter; Galt MacDermot; Leonard Bernstein; Louis Barron; William Walton

Contributor

Patrick Martyn

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Plays

Hamlet; Henry V; Romeo and Juliet; Taming of the Shrew, The; Tempest, The

Subjects

Drama; Music

Keywords

musicals; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); musical adaptations

Notes

History

Broadcast on BBC Radio World Service as part of the ‘Shakespeare today’ season. Transmitted 22 April-13 May 1994, in four 30-minute parts.

Production Company

Name

BBC World Service