McKellen and Laurenson shine in a memorable production

Ian McKellen and Timothy West in The Tragedy of King Richard II (1970)

Tilda Swinton, Andrew Tiernan, and Steven Waddington in Edward II (1991)

Ian McKellen, Faith Brook, James Cairncross, Susan Fleetwood, and John Woodvine in Hamlet (1970)

Lothaire Bluteau and Clive Owen in Bent (1997)

Samantha Mathis and Richard E. Grant in Jack & Sarah (1995)

Ian McKellen and James Laurenson in Edward II (1970)

Ian McKellen, Diane Fletcher, and James Laurenson in Edward II (1970)

Ian McKellen

Timothy West

Diane Fletcher

Christopher Marlowe

The reign of Edward II, King of England, is troubled from the start, when he brings his male lover, hated by the nobles, out of exile.

Richard Marquand

Toby Robertson

Edward II

Shakespeare&apos;s Richard II and Marlowe&apos;s Edward II were successful stage productions recorded in the studio for BBC Television in the early days of colour transmissions. At that time only the recently inaugurated BBC 2 channel was broadcasting in colour and the new TV sets were very expensive.

I was a university student at the time and watched these outstanding productions in the colour TV lounge in my hall of residence. I&apos;ve remembered them vividly ever since, particularly the young Ian McKellen&apos;s highly charged and sensual performances in the title roles. Those were less enlightened times and young Ian was still firmly &apos;in the closet&apos; but to my youthful mind his gay sensibility was more than evident, especially in the role of Edward II. James Laurenson was also outstanding as Gaveston.

These landmark productions are crying out for a DVD release.

Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II were successful stage productions recorded in the studio for BBC Television in the early days of colour transmissions. At that time only the recently inaugurated BBC 2 channel was broadcasting in colour and the new TV sets were very expensive.

I was a university student at the time and watched these outstanding productions in the colour TV lounge in my hall of residence. I've remembered them vividly ever since, particularly the young Ian McKellen's highly charged and sensual performances in the title roles. Those were less enlightened times and young Ian was still firmly 'in the closet' but to my youthful mind his gay sensibility was more than evident, especially in the role of Edward II. James Laurenson was also outstanding as Gaveston.

These landmark productions are crying out for a DVD release.

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Edward II

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