The Autocrat
Delia created music for The Autocrat,[1] an Arts & Education Feature for radio produced by Paul D'Andrea[2] and directed by Michael Rolfe. The "entry date" for its tape is April 1971.[1]
Though the tape catalogues and the programme listings all call it "The Autocrats", the producer assures me that the correct title is "The Autocrat".[3]
The non-profit non-commercial, listener-sponsored Seattle radio station KRAB.FM lists, in its programme guide for April 1974,[4] on Sunday 28th[5] at 7:30:
THE AUTOCRATS BY PAUL D'ANDREA - This play is based on an actual incident recorded in 1720, when a ship from Beirut was refused admission to the port of Cagliari in Sardinia. The Viceroy of the port refused to grant admittance, giving as a reason a dream he had had of a ship carrying the plague. In the words of D'Andrea, “...the play concerns an executive intellect being confronted with a manifestation of insurrection.” Directed by Michael Rolfe of the BBC with three of the BBC's finest actors: David Brierley as the Adjutant; Garard Green as St. Remys; Jumoke Debayo as Palla.
A KRAB.FM archivist writes: “KRAB broadcast The Autocrats at least four times:
- Apr 28, 1974 - 7:30pm
- Oct 5, 1974 - 8:30pm
- Apr 30, 1976 - 2:00pm
- Mar 18, 1977 - 7:30pm
In the early to mid 70's, National Public Radio and the National Endowment for the Arts financed the production of a series of radio plays, some of which were purchased from the BBC. KRAB was a NPR affiliate at that time.” The radio drama series was called "Earplay" and it was distributed on LP.[6]
Nothing in the Radio Times listings matches this. Michael Rolfe is credited with producing some radio programmes for Schools in 1971-2, mostly Stories and Rhymes for 7-9 year olds,[7] while David Brierly and Garard Green act in Rolfe's Orange-Coloured Holiday Show broadcast on 27 December 1971.[8]
Copyright
The production's copyright is owned by Paul D'Andrea, the play's producer,[2] who also says: “If you come across any opportunities for broadcast or other presentation, either commercial or not-for-profit, do follow up. It's work that should be known. Delia's "Rat Attack" (33:00 to 35:19) is a masterpiece.”[3]
Availability
- Does not seem to have been broadcast by the BBC.
- Broadcast on KRAB.FM, Seattle on 28th April 1974 at 7:30pm.[4] The current KRAB archivist has not found a copy but is asking around.[9]
- Dozens of programmes in the "Earplay" series are available at
http://otrrlibrary.org -> Series beginning with 'E' -> Earplay NPR
but they do not include The Autocrats.[10] - The BBC Sound Archive's tape TRW 7379 is missing.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Tape Library List's entry for TRW 7379.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Personal communication from Paul D'Andrea, September 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Personal communication from Paul D'Andrea, June 2017.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 KRAB.FM's programme listing for April 1974.
- ↑ The 28th April 1974 was indeed a Sunday.
- ↑ KRAB.FM, personal communication, 26 May 2016.
- ↑ Search results for "Michael Rolfe" on the BBC Genome Project.
- ↑ Orange-Coloured Holiday Show on the BBC Genome Project.
- ↑ Personal communication from Chuck Reinsch, 26 May 2016.
- ↑ The OTRR Library catalogue was last checked on 26 May 2016.
