by J. M. Barrie
Characters in order of speaking (By permission of London Film Productions Ltd.) (By permission of Gaumont-British Picture Corporation Ltd.)
The play adapted for broadcasting and produced by Val Gielgud
Not the least brilliant thing about Dear Brutus is the delightful and characteristic way in which Sir James Barrie wrote his stage directions, and these, by an inspiration of Val Gielgud 's, are not to be lost in the broadcast, for they are to be spoken by Lewis Casson.
The character of Lob is the pivot of the play. Whether he is fairy or mortal listeners may decide. It is said by the villagers that they remember him seventy years ago looking just as he does today. Is he Robin Goodfellow living on in Barrie's Midsummer Night's Dream? The part is to be taken by Richard Goolden , the 'little man', who almost suggests Lob. He played it, by the way, at Oxford with Fagen's Oxford Players, and incidentally, Val Gielgud played Dearth.
The part of Margaret has been portrayed by many charming actresses -Faith Celli (the original), Meggie Albanesi , Mary Casson , and Peggy Ashcroft. Now listeners are to hear Nova Pilbeam in this part of the delightful ' dream-child '. Listeners may remember her performance in Barrie's Peter Pan two years ago.
An article on the play, by Guy Fletcher , will be found on page 18.
' Dear Brutus ' will be repeated in the Regional programme tomorrow at 7.30