A Drama by Philip Wade
Produced by Gordon Gildard
Cast (in order of their speaking):
The action passes in and around Newby Hall
PHILIP WADE, actor and playwright, has specialised in 'character' parts from Fluellen in Henry V to Tweedle-dum in Through the Looking-Glass. His connection with broadcasting has also inspired him to write several plays and sketches specially for the microphone, of which Family Tree is the most notable. In fact, when this play was first produced in 1932 it was hailed as 'the play of the year'.
Family Tree is the story of a county family and its servants. 'When this red earth', says Aunt Agatha, 'has stained your hands for over a thousand years your life becomes more than a habit - it becomes a part of the soil itself.'
The elder daughter elopes with the estate agent, and is consequently ostracised by the family. The fortunes of the family decline. But there is a happy ending. The characterisation is finely drawn, and the treatment (with effects) is novel.
Family Tree was broadcast in the Regional programme last night.