Midsummer Night’s Dream, A

Synopsis: A version made for American television, but not transmitted, of Peter Hall’s 1959 staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Charles Laughton as Bottom and Vanessa Redgrave as Helena.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television; Video
Recording date: Dec 1959
Duration: c90

History: A film of Peter Hall’s staging of the play intended for screening on NBC television in America but never shown. The RSC’s archive copy is a complete cut of the programme (c90 mins) with a 9-minute filmed interview by Laughton and a brief prefatory word by Peter Hall (shot in the theatre). It was shot on videotape, with cameras brought over from France. The RSC’s copy is a kinescope copy of the tape. There are no commercials or sponsor or station identification. An apron stage was built over the stalls of the theatre to accommodate camera movement. Hubball Robinson, the producer, appears to have intended it as part of a series of specials to be broadcast with Ford as sponsor and on NBC. [With grateful acknowledgment to Professor Russell Jackson for this information].

SHAKESPEARE