International Theatre: Hamlet (1956)

UK, 27 February 1956
90m
35mm film, black and white, 4:3
mono, English
Series: International Theatre (1956)

A British fantasy television play directed by Peter Brook and Stuart Latham. It was the first adaptation of Shakespeare on the newly-formed independent television network in the UK and no copy is known to have survived.

Plot Summary

An abridged version of the Williams Shakespeare play.

Credits

Crew
Director: Peter Brook, Stuart Latham
ATV, H.M. Tennant Globe Productions
Play: William Shakespeare

Cast
Paul Scofield (Hamlet)
Alec Clunes (Claudius)
Diana Wynyard (Gertrude)
Ernest Thesiger (Polonius)
Mary Ure (Ophelia)
Harry H. Corbett (gravedigger)
Richard Johnson (Laertes)

References

Newspapers

  • Birmingham Evening Despatch (28 February 1956) – review (by Ivor Jay)
  • Birmingham Gazette (28 February 1956) – review (by John Minty)
  • Birmingham Mail (28 February 1956) – review (by W.H.W.)
  • The Daily Mail (28 February 1956) – review (by Peter Black)
  • The Star (28 February 1956) p12 – review (by G.B-R.)

Periodicals

  • Shakespeare Bulletin vol.25 no.2 (Summer 2007) pp.35-39 – article (The Forgotten Hamlet by Olwen Terris)