Cries from Casement as His Bones Are Brought to Dublin: Difference between revisions
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'''''Cries from Casement as His Bones are Brought to Dublin''''' is a radio play written by [[David Rudkin]] that examines the life and controversial legacy of Irish nationalist and British diplomat [[Roger Casement]]. It was first broadcast on [[BBC Radio]] on 4 February 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05gh69k |title=Cries from Casement |website=[[BBC]] |date=18 September 2017 |access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref> |
'''''Cries from Casement as His Bones are Brought to Dublin''''' is a radio play written by [[David Rudkin]] that examines the life and controversial legacy of Irish nationalist and British diplomat [[Roger Casement]]. It was first broadcast on [[BBC Radio]] on 4 February 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05gh69k |title=Cries from Casement |website=[[BBC]] |date=18 September 2017 |access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref> |
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==Development== |
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The project began in 1966 as a commission for Rudkin to contribute to a radio series on historical rebels, and morphed into a play about Casement when he realised that the social and political climate of the country at the time bore strong parallels to that of Casement's era.<ref>Rudkin, David (1973). ''Cries from Casement as His Bones are Brought to Dublin''. London: BBC. {{ISBN|0-563-12644-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davidrudkin.com/radio/cries-from-casement.html |title=Cries from Casement as his Bones are Brought to Dublin |first=David |last=Rudkin |author-link=David Rudkin |website=davidrudkin.com |access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://breac.nd.edu/articles/from-fragments-to-a-whole-homosexuality-and-partition-in-cries-from-casement-as-his-bones-are-brought-to-dublin-by-david-rudkin/ |title=From Fragments to a Whole: Homosexuality and Partition in Cries from Casement as his Bones are Brought to Dublin, by David Rudkin |first=Mariana |last=Bolfarine |website=[[University of North Dakota]] |date=1 April 2016 |access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref> |
The project began in 1966 as a commission for Rudkin to contribute to a radio series on historical rebels, and morphed into a play about Casement when he realised that the social and political climate of the country at the time bore strong parallels to that of Casement's era.<ref>Rudkin, David (1973). ''Cries from Casement as His Bones are Brought to Dublin''. London: BBC. {{ISBN|0-563-12644-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davidrudkin.com/radio/cries-from-casement.html |title=Cries from Casement as his Bones are Brought to Dublin |first=David |last=Rudkin |author-link=David Rudkin |website=davidrudkin.com |access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://breac.nd.edu/articles/from-fragments-to-a-whole-homosexuality-and-partition-in-cries-from-casement-as-his-bones-are-brought-to-dublin-by-david-rudkin/ |title=From Fragments to a Whole: Homosexuality and Partition in Cries from Casement as his Bones are Brought to Dublin, by David Rudkin |first=Mariana |last=Bolfarine |website=[[University of North Dakota]] |date=1 April 2016 |access-date=30 July 2022}}</ref> Rudkin utilized Casement's own diaries in the course of his research. |
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Regarding the fragmentary, collage-like style of the piece, Rudkin later said, "To mediate such a quantity and complexity of material, I found myself logically evolving a variety of techniques, all of them thematic – and very much to do with radio broadcasting. (Looking at it now, I think it’s rather like a radio Citizen Kane.)"<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bolfarine |first1=Mariana |title=Interview with David Rudkin |journal=ABEI Journal |date=November 2015 |volume=17 |page=61}}</ref> |
Regarding the fragmentary, collage-like style of the piece, Rudkin later said, "To mediate such a quantity and complexity of material, I found myself logically evolving a variety of techniques, all of them thematic – and very much to do with radio broadcasting. (Looking at it now, I think it’s rather like a radio Citizen Kane.)"<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bolfarine |first1=Mariana |title=Interview with David Rudkin |journal=ABEI Journal |date=November 2015 |volume=17 |page=61}}</ref> |
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==Broadcast== |
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The BBC broadcast of the play, on 4 February 1973, was produced by [[John Tydeman]] and starred [[Norman Rodway]] as Roger Casement. Other members of the cast include: [[Joan Bakewell]], [[Sean Barrett (actor)|Sean Barrett]], [[Kate Binchy]], [[Michael Deacon (actor)|Michael Deacon]], [[William Eedle]], [[Kevin Flood (actor)|Kevin Flood]], [[Martin Friend]], Heather Gibson, [[David Gooderson]], [[Sheila Grant (actress)|Sheila Grant]], [[Michael N. Harbour]], [[John Hollis]], [[Fraser Kerr (actor)|Fraser Kerr]], [[Rolf Lefebure]], [[Peggy Marshall]], [[Meryl O'Keefe]], [[Irene Prador]], David Rudkin, [[Henry Stamper]], Eva Stuart, [[John Tusa]], [[David Valla]], [[Mary Wimbush]], and [[Joy Worth]]. |
The BBC broadcast of the play, on 4 February 1973, was produced by [[John Tydeman]] and starred [[Norman Rodway]] as Roger Casement. Other members of the cast include: [[Joan Bakewell]], [[Sean Barrett (actor)|Sean Barrett]], [[Kate Binchy]], [[Michael Deacon (actor)|Michael Deacon]], [[William Eedle]], [[Kevin Flood (actor)|Kevin Flood]], [[Martin Friend]], Heather Gibson, [[David Gooderson]], [[Sheila Grant (actress)|Sheila Grant]], [[Michael N. Harbour]], [[John Hollis]], [[Fraser Kerr (actor)|Fraser Kerr]], [[Rolf Lefebure]], [[Peggy Marshall]], [[Meryl O'Keefe]], [[Irene Prador]], David Rudkin, [[Henry Stamper]], Eva Stuart, [[John Tusa]], [[David Valla]], [[Mary Wimbush]], and [[Joy Worth]]. |
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==Stage adaptation== |
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An experimental stage version was performed by the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] later that same year. It received negative reviews. In an interview in 2015, Rudkin characterized the theatre production as"... misconceived, and does not merit discussion."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marcus |first1=Frank |title=Being politick |work=Sunday Telegraph |date=7 October 1973}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=John |title=Macabre torrents of Irish history |work=Daily Telegraph |date=5 October 1973}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bolfarine |first1=Mariana |title=Interview with David Rudkin |journal=ABEI Journal |date=November 2015 |volume=17 |page=61}}</ref> |
An experimental stage version was performed by the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] later that same year. It received negative reviews. In an interview in 2015, Rudkin characterized the theatre production as"... misconceived, and does not merit discussion."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marcus |first1=Frank |title=Being politick |work=Sunday Telegraph |date=7 October 1973}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=John |title=Macabre torrents of Irish history |work=Daily Telegraph |date=5 October 1973}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bolfarine |first1=Mariana |title=Interview with David Rudkin |journal=ABEI Journal |date=November 2015 |volume=17 |page=61}}</ref> |
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"One of the great masterpieces of radio drama writing and directing," according to radio drama producer Alan Beck, who also noted its daring subject matter for the time, including political violence and frank depictions of homosexuality.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Beck |first1=Alan |title=You've Got to Hide Your Love Away: Gay Radio, Past and Present |journal=More Than a Music Box Radio Cultures and Communities in a Multi-media World |date=2006 |page=139 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/More_Than_a_Music_Box/_kpeXaDWPg8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22cries+from+casement%22&pg=PA138&printsec=frontcover |access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref> |
"One of the great masterpieces of radio drama writing and directing," according to radio drama producer Alan Beck, who also noted its daring subject matter for the time, including political violence and frank depictions of homosexuality.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Beck |first1=Alan |title=You've Got to Hide Your Love Away: Gay Radio, Past and Present |journal=More Than a Music Box Radio Cultures and Communities in a Multi-media World |date=2006 |page=139 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/More_Than_a_Music_Box/_kpeXaDWPg8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22cries+from+casement%22&pg=PA138&printsec=frontcover |access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref> |
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The ''Sunday Telegraph'' observed that, according to scholars, the play's content was not always historically accurate, but nonetheless praised the writing, direction and performances to conclude that the broadcast was "a tour de force."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Woodforde |first1=John |title=Sound of history |work=Sunday Telegraph |date=11 February 1973}}</ref> |
The ''Sunday Telegraph'' observed that, according to scholars, the play's content was not always historically accurate, but nonetheless praised the writing, direction and performances to conclude that the broadcast was "a tour de force."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Woodforde |first1=John |title=Sound of history |work=Sunday Telegraph |date=11 February 1973}}</ref> Writer [[Brian Inglis]] criticized the work for a lack of accuracy. Rudkin replied with a lengthy rebuttal in ''[[Encounter (magazine)|Encounter]]'', arguing that his work more accurately portrayed the inner life of the man and his motivations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rudkin |first1=David |title=The Chameleon & the Kilt: The Complexities of Roger Casement |url=https://www.unz.com/print/Encounter-1973aug-00070/ |access-date=21 August 2024 |work=Encounter |date=August 1973}}</ref> |
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Professor [[David Ian Rabey]] has described the play as "astonishing" and "regrettably overlooked".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gR2vAjfk5YIC&dq=cries+from+casement+as+his+bones+are+brought+to+dublin&pg=PA49 |title=David Rudkin: Sacred Disobedience : an Expository Study of His Drama 1959-96 |first=David Ian |last=Rabey |author-link=David Ian Rabey |pages=49–53 |date=29 January 1998 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-9057021268}}</ref> |
Professor [[David Ian Rabey]] has described the play as "astonishing" and "regrettably overlooked".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gR2vAjfk5YIC&dq=cries+from+casement+as+his+bones+are+brought+to+dublin&pg=PA49 |title=David Rudkin: Sacred Disobedience : an Expository Study of His Drama 1959-96 |first=David Ian |last=Rabey |author-link=David Ian Rabey |pages=49–53 |date=29 January 1998 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-9057021268}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 13:55, 21 August 2024
Cries from Casement as His Bones are Brought to Dublin is a radio play written by David Rudkin that examines the life and controversial legacy of Irish nationalist and British diplomat Roger Casement. It was first broadcast on BBC Radio on 4 February 1973.[1]
Development
The project began in 1966 as a commission for Rudkin to contribute to a radio series on historical rebels, and morphed into a play about Casement when he realised that the social and political climate of the country at the time bore strong parallels to that of Casement's era.[2][3][4] Rudkin utilized Casement's own diaries in the course of his research.
Regarding the fragmentary, collage-like style of the piece, Rudkin later said, "To mediate such a quantity and complexity of material, I found myself logically evolving a variety of techniques, all of them thematic – and very much to do with radio broadcasting. (Looking at it now, I think it’s rather like a radio Citizen Kane.)"[5]
Broadcast
The BBC broadcast of the play, on 4 February 1973, was produced by John Tydeman and starred Norman Rodway as Roger Casement. Other members of the cast include: Joan Bakewell, Sean Barrett, Kate Binchy, Michael Deacon, William Eedle, Kevin Flood, Martin Friend, Heather Gibson, David Gooderson, Sheila Grant, Michael N. Harbour, John Hollis, Fraser Kerr, Rolf Lefebure, Peggy Marshall, Meryl O'Keefe, Irene Prador, David Rudkin, Henry Stamper, Eva Stuart, John Tusa, David Valla, Mary Wimbush, and Joy Worth.
Stage adaptation
An experimental stage version was performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company later that same year. It received negative reviews. In an interview in 2015, Rudkin characterized the theatre production as"... misconceived, and does not merit discussion."[6][7][8]
Critical Reception
Rudkin's play drew parallels between the political context of Casement's life and times with contemporary issues in 1973, including themes exploring the legacies of nationalism and violence.[9] Radio critic Gillian Reynolds praised the broadcast as a major success, with an innovative style that matched the complexity of the subject matter. "Through Norman Rodway's magnificent central performance as Casement," wrote Reynolds, "both Mr Rudkin and his producer John Tydeman found the means of bringing the irony, the sensuality, the political passion together in a work of totally admirable richness and force."[10]
"One of the great masterpieces of radio drama writing and directing," according to radio drama producer Alan Beck, who also noted its daring subject matter for the time, including political violence and frank depictions of homosexuality.[11]
The Sunday Telegraph observed that, according to scholars, the play's content was not always historically accurate, but nonetheless praised the writing, direction and performances to conclude that the broadcast was "a tour de force."[12] Writer Brian Inglis criticized the work for a lack of accuracy. Rudkin replied with a lengthy rebuttal in Encounter, arguing that his work more accurately portrayed the inner life of the man and his motivations.[13]
Professor David Ian Rabey has described the play as "astonishing" and "regrettably overlooked".[14]
Portions of the broadcast's sound design was incorporated into The Casement Project, a dance piece lead by Fearghus Ó Conchúir and inspired in part by the play. It was commissioned by the Arts Council of Ireland in 2016.[15][16]
References
- ^ "Cries from Casement". BBC. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Rudkin, David (1973). Cries from Casement as His Bones are Brought to Dublin. London: BBC. ISBN 0-563-12644-2
- ^ Rudkin, David. "Cries from Casement as his Bones are Brought to Dublin". davidrudkin.com. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Bolfarine, Mariana (1 April 2016). "From Fragments to a Whole: Homosexuality and Partition in Cries from Casement as his Bones are Brought to Dublin, by David Rudkin". University of North Dakota. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Bolfarine, Mariana (November 2015). "Interview with David Rudkin". ABEI Journal. 17: 61.
- ^ Marcus, Frank (7 October 1973). "Being politick". Sunday Telegraph.
- ^ Barber, John (5 October 1973). "Macabre torrents of Irish history". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Bolfarine, Mariana (November 2015). "Interview with David Rudkin". ABEI Journal. 17: 61.
- ^ Garden, Alison (2020). The literary afterlives of Roger Casement, 1899-2016. Liverpool: Liverpool university press. p. 115. ISBN 9781789621815. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Reynolds, Gillian (6 February 1973). "Cries from Casement on Radio 3". The Guardian.
- ^ Beck, Alan (2006). "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away: Gay Radio, Past and Present". More Than a Music Box Radio Cultures and Communities in a Multi-media World: 139. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Woodforde, John (11 February 1973). "Sound of history". Sunday Telegraph.
- ^ Rudkin, David (August 1973). "The Chameleon & the Kilt: The Complexities of Roger Casement". Encounter. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Rabey, David Ian (29 January 1998). David Rudkin: Sacred Disobedience : an Expository Study of His Drama 1959-96. Routledge. pp. 49–53. ISBN 978-9057021268.
- ^ Ó Conchúir, Fearghus. "Coming Full Circle". The Casement Project. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "The Casement Project". Irish Arts Council. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
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