Shakespeare Hamlet John Gielgud 1948

(4.8 stars; 17 reviews)

Wiliam Shakespeare Hamlet This 1948 recording was made when John Gielgud's performance, widely acclaimed as the greatest of our time, had reached his peak. Scene: Denmark The ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet's uncle. Hamlet feigns madness, contemplates life and death, and seeks revenge. His uncle, fearing for his life, also devises plots to kill Hamlet. The play ends with a duel, during which the King, Queen, Hamlet's opponent and Hamlet himself are all killed. Gentlemen of the guard:Bernardo:.......Richard Williams Francisco:........Stanley Groome Horatio, Hamlet's friend:.......Sebastian Shaw Marcellus, officer of the royal guard.:......Anthony Jacobs Claudius. King of Denmark, brother of the late King: Andrew Cruickshank Voltimand, a courtier:........Hugh Manning Laertes, son of Polonius:........Hugh Burden Polonius, chief of the King's councillors:.......Baliol Holloway Hamlet, son of the late, and nephew of the present King: John Gielgud Gertrude Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother: Marian Spencer Ophelia, daughter of Polonius:.........Celia Johnson Ghost of the late King:.........Leon Quartermaine Reynaldo, servant to Polonius:.......Frank Atkinson Courtiers, formerly fellow- students of Hamlet: Rosencrantz: Bryan Coleman Courtiers, formerly fellow- students of Hamlet: Guildenstern: John Chandos First player:.......Hugh Griffith Player queen:........Denise Bryer Fortinbras, prince of Norway:......Andrew Faulds A captain of the Norwegian army.:.....Denis McCarthy Two gravediggers:.........Charles Leno....Preston Lockwood Priest:.......Arthur Ridley Osric a ' fantastic ':........Esme Percy A gentleman:.......Alastair Duncan Ambassador from England:.....Victor Lucas A radio programme BBC Programme Number: 27SX4445 First broadcast on 1948-12-26 Recorded on 1948-11-30 Media: LP Editor: RIDLEY, M.R. A tragedy by William Shakespeare: No. 14 in the series World Theatre. Produced by John Richmond. TX 26 Dec 1948 at 18:00 BBC Third Programme "Live!' Broadcast in three parts. Part 1: 18 - 18.30 Part 2: 19.05 - 20.35 Part 3: 21.05 - 22.10 This outstanding historical recording is widely regarded as one of the finest Hamlet performances ever, and one of John Gielgud’s greatest moments. Though he went on to record it for commercial release, nothing matched this recording in the BBC studios, made before the days of editing.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.