Broadcast: Sunday 15th March, 1953
Character: Sylvius
Act 1:
- Scene 1: Orchard of Oliver’s house.
- Scene 2: Lawn before the Duke’s palace.
- Scene 3: A room in the palace.
Act 2:
- Scene 1: The Forest of Arden.
- Scene 2: A room in the palace.
- Scene 3: Before Oliver’s house.
- Scene 4: The Forest of Arden.
- Scene 5: The forest.
- Scene 6: The forest.
- Scene 7: The forest.
Act 3:
- Scene 1: A room in the palace.
- Scene 2: The forest.
- Scene 3: The forest.
- Scene 4: The forest.
- Scene 5: Another part of the forest.
Act 4:
- Scene 1: The forest.
- Scene 2: The forest.
- Scene 3: The forest.
Act 5:
- Scene 1: The forest.
- Scene 2: The forest.
- Scene 3: The forest.
- Scene 4: The forest.
Some Background
The BBC’s ‘Sunday Night Theatre’ ran from early 1950 until 1959.
The productions that were broadcast during the first five years were restaged following Thursday and performed live – in part because of the technical limitations in that era. The Sunday night drama slot was latterly renamed ‘The Sunday-Night Play’, which was to run 1960 and 1963..
There was a major difference between this production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like it’ and the earlier BBC staging in1946, and that was the presence in the cast of major actors such as Margaret Leighton, Michael Hordern and Laurence Harvey. The program notes for the music are especially revealing in their scholarly concern to bring the authentic music from Shakespeare’s own day into the production. The BBC also used 125 feet of film to support the televised script. The cast included 24 principals plus extras, and the cost came to £2,343 – a considerable sum in 1953.
The entire 90 minute recording was sadly wiped by the BBC. However, the original typescript for this production still exists and is kept at The Birmingham Shakespeare Library.
Story Synopsis
Orlando (Lawrence Harvey), the youngest son of the recently-deceased Sir Roland de Boys, is treated harshly by his eldest brother, Oliver (Roderick Lovell). Bitter and angry, Orlando challenges the court wrestler, Charles (Michael Brennan), to a fight. When Oliver learns of the fight, Oliver tells Charles to injure Orlando if possible.
Duke Frederick (Henry Oscar) has recently deposed his brother (Walter Hudd), as head of the court. But he allowed his brother’s daughter, Rosalind (Margaret Leighton), to remain, and she and Celia (Isabel Dean), Duke Frederick’s daughter, watch the wrestling competition. During the match, Rosalind falls in love with Orlando, who beats Charles. Rosalind gives Orlando a chain to wear; in turn, he is overcome with love.
Shortly after, Orlando is warned of his brother’s plot against him and seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden. At the same time, and seemingly without cause, Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind. She decides to seek shelter in the Forest of Arden with Celia. They both disguise themselves: Rosalind as the young man ‘Ganymede’ and Celia as his shepherdess sister Aliena. Touchstone (Kenneth Conor), the court fool, also goes with them.
In the Forest of Arden, the weary cousins happen upon Sylvius* (Peter Wyngarde), a lovesick shepherd who is in the act of declaring his feelings for Phoebe (Pamela Alan) -a scornful shepherdess. His love for her is unyielding, despite her consistent rejection and disdain towards him. Sylvius’ devotion to Phoebe is both endearing and pitiful, as he goes to great lengths to express his affections, only to be met with cold indifference.
Left: As scene in the Forest of Arden. Peter as the shepherd, Sylvius, with Pamela Alan as Phoebe.
Despite his despondency, Sylvius is not solely defined by his unrequited love. He is a loyal and trustworthy friend to his fellow shepherd, Corin (Eliot Makeham). Sylvius often seeks Corin’s advice and guidance, showing his respect for the older and wiser shepherd. This friendship highlights Silvius’ genuine and caring nature, as he values the connections he forms with others.
One of Sylvius’ most notable attributes is his eloquence and proficiency in the language of love. Throughout the play, he delivers impassioned speeches and sonnets, pouring out his emotions and baring his soul. Sylvius’ poetic nature adds depth and beauty to his character, showcasing his ability to express himself with grace and sincerity.
However, his poetic declarations of love are often met with ridicule and mockery from other characters, particularly from the court jester, Touchstone. Despite this, Silvius remains undeterred, clinging to his ideals of love and devotion.
‘Ganymede’ buys the lease to the property of an old shepherd who needs someone to manage his estate. ‘Ganymede’ and Aliena set up home in the forest. Not far away, and unaware of the newcomers, the old banished Duke is living a simple outdoor life with his fellow exiled courtiers and huntsmen. Their merriment is interrupted by the arrival of Orlando, who seeks food and water for himself and his servant. The two men are welcomed by the outlaw courtiers.
‘Ganymede’ and Aliena find verses addressed to Rosalind hung on the forest branches by Orlando. ‘Ganymede’ finds Orlando and proposes to cure Orlando of his love. To do this, Orlando will seduce ‘Ganymede’ as if he were Rosalind (even though “he” really is, in fact, Rosalind). Orlando consents and visits ‘Ganymede’/Rosalind every day for his lessons. In the meantime, the shepherdess Phoebe has fallen for ‘Ganymede’ while the young shepherd Sylvius still pursues her. Furthermore, Touchstone, the court fool, has dazzled a country girl, Audrey (Vida Hope) , with his courtly manners. Audrey deserts her young suitor, William (Stanford Holme), for him.
When Duke Frederick hears of Orlando disappeared at the same time as Rosalind and Celia, he orders Oliver to the forest to seek his brother. In the forest, Orlando saves Oliver’s life, injuring his arm in the process. Oliver runs into ‘Ganymede’ and Aliena in the forest and relates this news. Rosalind (disguised as ‘Ganymede’) is overcome with her feelings for Orlando. Celia (disguised as Aliena) and Oliver quickly fall in love with one another. Rosalind decides that it is time to end her game with Orlando and devises a plan in which everyone will get married.
As ‘Ganymede’, Rosalind promises Phoebe that they will marry, Celia will marry Oliver, Touchstone will marry Audrey, and Orlando will marry Rosalind. She makes Phoebe promise that if they, for some reason, don’t get married, Phoebe will marry Sylvius instead.
On the day of the wedding, and with the help of the god Hymen, Rosalind reappears in her female clothes. the Old Duke gives her away to Orlando, while Phoebe accepts Silvius. Orlando’s other older brother returns from college with the news that Celia’s father, Duke Frederick, has left court to become a hermit. Thus, everyone is happy (except maybe Phoebe, who marries someone she doesn’t love and Sylvius, who marries someone who doesn’t love him). The play ends with a joyful dance to celebrate the four marriages.
*In Shakespeare’s original play, Sylvius is spelt ‘Silvius’,
Above: Original feature from the Radio Times: 12th March, 1953.
PETER WYNGARDE: The Official Website 