Two Gentlemen of Valasna, The

Synopsis: Adapted for radio by Roger Elsgood and Willi Richards, The Two Gentlemen Of Valasna relocates Shakespeare’s play to India. Set in the weeks leading up to the 1857 Indian Mutiny, it was recorded in English, Hindi and Maharati entirely on location in Maharashtra, India. The cast of Indian actors is drawn from Bollywood, Indian television and the Indian English theatre tradition. With an introduction by director Willi Richards.
Series: Drama on 3
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: 29 Jul 2007 at 20:45 (Channel: BBC Radio 3)
Duration: 95 mins

Production type: Television and Radio Drama
Historical period: 19th Century
Plays: Two Gentlemen of Verona, The
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: India; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Multicultural casting; Bollywood

Notes: According to director Willi Richards, as this production was recorded entirely on live locations in various places in India, the recording resembled a movie shoot, a process of "filmic radio rather than theatrical radio" (Richards in his introduction to the programme).

The recording may be downloaded from audible.com for a fee (site accessed 3/2008).
General: Recording took place in 9 days.
History: Marks the year of 150th anniversary of the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the rebellion against British rule in India.

Shakespeare, "Two Gentlemen of Valasna, The". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av68861 (Accessed 19 Sep 2024)

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