Will Shakespeare
- Synopsis
- Radio adaptation of the play which was originally written for the stage by British playwright Clemence Dane (1888-1965). Produced by Val Gielgud, this production was adapted for radio by the author. The plot links Shakespeare (John Gielgud) and the ‘Dark Lady’ of the sonnets with the mysterious death of Shakespeare’s fellow dramatist, Christopher Marlowe (Leslie Perrins). Music by Thomas Wood is played by the Gershom Parkington Augmented Orchestra and Wireless chorus, directed by Robert Chignell.
- Language
- English
- Country
- Great Britain
- Medium
- Radio
- Transmission details
- 23 Apr 1931 at 19:45 (Channel: BBC National Programme)
- Duration
- 72 mins
- Availability
- No archive copy known.
Credits
- Producer
- Val Gielgud
- Writer
- Clemence Dane
- Music
- Thomas Wood
- Contributor
- Robert Chignell
- Cast
Additional Details
- Production type
- Television and Radio Drama
- Subjects
- Drama
- Keywords
- biographies; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Notes
- Notes
- The broadcast was repeated on London Regional on 24/4/1931 with Harman Grisewood as Shakespeare.
- General
- Dane’s Will Shakespeare: An Invention in Four Acts, a play written in blank verse, was published in 1921.
- History
- Dane’s stage play premiered at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, 17 November 1921. Initially, a scene from Act IV was broadcast on BBC London (5/9/1926). The play was subsequently produced for BBC Television on April 3,1938 (see separate entry). Transmitted as part of Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations.
- Reviews
- Source: BBC Programme Records 1929-1932; Radio Times.
Dane published an article on ‘Shakespeare, Man or Monument?' in Radio Times, 23 April 1931, p. 127.
Production Company
- Name
BBC
- Notes
- The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
How to cite this record
Shakespeare, "Will Shakespeare". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av69992 (Accessed 25 Nov 2024)