by AVRIL PYMAN
A feature on the life and work of the Russian poet Al.EKSANDR BLOK (1880-1921) with John Rowe as Blok. Blok was brought up in an atmosphere of artistic refinement and lived in literary and theatre circles, amid fame,
Bohemianism and mutual infidelities. His poetry expressed exaltation and spiritual fulfilment and is noted for its rhythmic innovations and its musicality. His life. like his work, went through the successive phases of romantic conflict - elation, frustration, rebellion, despair. His poetry, and Particularly his last, enigmatic poem The Twelve, exerted an enduring fascination and helped to initiate the Post-revolutionary era of Russian literature. This Programme contains illustrations from his verse, some of them in the original.
Narrator MARY WIMBUSH
Lyuha DIANA BISHOP Andrey Bely. siON PROBERT VOlokhova. LOLLY COCKERELL Kluyev ........... JOHN CHURCH Aunt Maria...PAULINE LETTS Zhenya ...... ALEXANDER JOHN Russian reader BORIS NADAN Directed by JOHN THEOCHARIS