A Florentine Tragedy (TV play)

"A Florentine Tragedy (TV play)"
Festival episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 20
Directed byHerbert Wise
Written byRobert Shaw
Based onA Florentine Tragedy by Oscar Wilde
Original air dateMarch 11, 1964 (1964-03-11)

A Florentine Tragedy is a 1964 British television play based on the unfinished stage play by Oscar Wilde which had been completed by T. Sturgis Moore.[1] It was adapted by Robert Shaw and starred Shaw and his wife Mary Ure.[2] [3]

Shaw sent the script to Sydney Newman, head of BBC drama who agreed to make it. James Fox was originally cast but he clashed with Shaw during rehearsals and Fox was replaced by Alex Davion.[4]

Cast

Reception

The Leicester Mercury declared the production was "a triumph for Robert Shaw".[5] The Guardian called it "for the most part as dull as suet pudding."[6] The Daily Telegraph praised it as "colourful stuff played perfectly."[7]

References

  1. ^ "Star TV part for ure". Daily Herald. 7 December 1963. p. 7.
  2. ^ "Big star line up for BBC". Daily Echo. 29 February 1964. p. 12.
  3. ^ "Mary Ure in Wilde's Florentine Tragedy". Evening Sentinel. 11 March 1964. p. 4.
  4. ^ French, John (2016). Robert Shaw: The Price of Success. Dean Street Press. p. 81.
  5. ^ "Television". Leicester Mercury. 12 March 1964. p. 8.
  6. ^ "A Florentine tragedy". The Guardian. 12 March 1964. p. 9.
  7. ^ "Television". The Daily Telegraph. 12 March 1964. p. 19.