Callow radio play on BBC

[Wilson]

Did anyone hear Simon Callow's performance in a one-man radio play (adapted by him, I assume) based on Micheal MacLaimmoir's Put Money in Thy Purse, or better yet, have a copy of it? It aired a couple of weeks ago, and the BBC web site no longer has it posted to listen to.



Edited By Wilson on Sep. 02 2004 at 11:19

[Le Chiffre]

I'd like to hear that. Last year I had satellite cable for a brief time, and I managed to tape Callow's one-man Charles Dickens performance when it was broadcast on the OVATION channel. It's a good show and Callow is a superb actor. It's ironic that he's doing a show on Macliammior since Callow credits him with pioneering the one-man show (his was on Oscar Wilde).

[Wilson]

Interesting. The show, incidentally, was on BBC Radio 4, on their Afternoon Play program, for anyone interested in checking out their site on the Beeb's larger site. For anyone interested in the current state of radio drama, there is some good stuff there.

[tadao]

Hi, I heard this. It wasn't a one-man show, but a small cast recording with Don Warrington as Welles. Callow narrates as MacLiammoir as well as appearing in dramatised anecdotes. I did record a copy, but the hard disk it was on has died and it's hopefully being repaired at the moment. If they manage to retrieve it I'll let you know.

[Wilson]

Ah, thanks for the info.

[tadao]

The BBC adaptation of "Put Money in thy Purse" is scheduled for rerun this Saturday, May 20th at 14.30-15.30 BST, no doubt to coincide with the release of Callow vol.2.
As is the norm for BBC radio shows, it will be available to "listen again" on the BBC website for 7 days following the broadcast.

The program is a decent condensation of the MacLiammoir book, with Callow playing MacLiammoir, and respected British character actor Don Warrington giving a very creditable performance as Welles. In an unusual quirk of casting, Mr Warrington is a "black" actor, playing the "white" actor/director, who in turn was playing a "black" character. Listen to the play at your leisure from May 20th-27th at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/saturday_play.shtml

[Jeff Wilson]

Thanks very much tadao, I've posted the info on the main news page in case anyone doesn't see it here. Looking forward to hearing it; Warrington should be quite interesting as Welles. I've seen him in a few things, and he certainly has a presence.

[Tony]

Just listening to the radio play now: it's fantastic!! :laugh: A complete production, with music, sound effects, the whole works, and a full hour in length; Callow plays Macliammor, and also "narrates" by reading from the book "Put Money in Thy Purse". This radio play takes it's proper place now alongside all other Wellesiana, and is also a great promo for Callow's new opus, even though it covers volume 3 territory!

[Terry]

I liked it too. I recorded it to CD. The entire cast is really good. Not so flattering a portrait of Welles, but I hear the book wasn't either.