The Cocktail Party
T S Eliot
BBC WS presents T S Eliot's 'The Cocktail Party', adapted by John Foley and directed by Marion Nancarrow. This production features a technical presentation by Simon Moorcraft and production by Alison Rees. It was broadcast on December 14, 2003.
The play is a comedy of manners where a party host's spouse has gone missing, and guests are arriving, creating a need to maintain appearances. An uninvited psychiatrist arrives to set things right, while the host's mistress moves on. The deeper theme explores the idea of making the best of commitments, reflecting Eliot's own troubled first marriage.
This adaptation features an early performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, among other talented cast members including Jeremy Child, Ian McDermott, and Diane Quick.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.