A series of 13 programmes which tell the story of the theatre, written and presented by Ronald Harwood 7:The Vices of Mankind
The 17th century saw the golden age of French drama - a glittering period with Moliere sharply observing and caricaturing the society that came to watch his comedies, Corneille breaking the rigidity of the past, Racine perfecting the classical rules and producing the first great part for a woman played by a woman on the stage.
The spirit of this brilliant time is evoked at the Comedie Francaise and with extracts from such masterpieces as Le Cid, L'Impromptu de Versailles and Tartuffe specially performed in a reconstructed Tennis Court Theatre. Those taking part include:
Claude Winter , Simon Callow Zoe Wanamaker
Edward Petherbridge
Judith Paris, John Moffatt
Film editor MALCOLM DANIEL
Executive producer RICHARD CAWSTON Producer HARRY HASTINGS
Directed by KEITH CHEETHAM
*Subtitles on Ceefax page 270