SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Anthology arts series presented by Melvyn Bragg. The first half of the programme features Joseph Papp. The segment, filmed in New York City, shows Papp being interviewed at various locations relevant to his career and the development of the New York Shakespeare Festival, and includes archival footage and still photos of Papp and his productions. Discussion includes Papp’s childhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; his first encounter with Shakespeare’s works in junior high school; the founding of his Shakespearean workshop at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church on New York’s Lower East Side; directing his first play and his motivation to start a Shakespearean theatrical company; interpreting Shakespeare for American audiences with American actors; and the social and political motivations of his work. Papp speaks about his first shows at the East River amphitheatre; his production of Shakespeare plays in the city’s parks during the 1950s and construction of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park; his administrative and fundraising skills and his belief that admission to the outdoor plays should be free; the subsidisation of the theatre; theatre’s importance to the educational life of the city; his interest in producing contemporary plays and contemporary issues via the plays he produces. [With acknowledgement for the detailed synopsis to the New York Public Library catalogue].

Series

South Bank Show, The

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Television

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Transmission details

9 May 1982 at 22:30 (Channel: ITV)

Duration

60 mins

Credits

Contributor

Joseph Papp; Melvyn Bragg

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); New York Shakespeare Festival; Open-air theatre; Papp, Joseph (1921-1991)

Notes

General

A feature on flautist James Galway formed the second half of the programme.

Production Company

Name

London Weekend Television

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web

http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7255 1444

Fax

020 7436 0165

Address

21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN

Name

Theatre on Film and Tape (TOFT)

Email

toft@nypl.org

Web

http://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa/theatre-film-and-tape-archive External site opens in new window

Phone

+ 1 (212) 870-1642

Fax

(212) 8701868

Address

Billy Rose Theatre Collection
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York,New York
10023-7498
USA