Royal54-08-1145The Happy Hypocrite

This is Theatre Royal. Tonight's play is the third in the important series of command performances, transcribed by the greatest stars of the English Theatre, and their distinguished host, Sir Lawrence Olivier. Tonight's guest, John Gilgood, as the Happy Hypocrite.

The National Broadcasting Company presents Sir Lawrence Olivier, your host in Theatre Royal. This is Lawrence Olivia. Once again, it is my pleasure to introduce a good friend of mine from the theatre and the story that is chosen for your entertainment.

An actor whose name will be familiar to you all, John Gillgood. His work in the theatre, both in London and New York, will of course be familiar to you, and many of you will have seen him in the recent Hollywood film production of Julius Caesar.

John has chosen a story which is among my own favourites, Max Beerboom's The Happy Hippocrates. I myself will be setting the scene for you, and so here now is John Gilgood in the role of Lord George Hell in Max Beerboom's Tale of England in Regency Days, The Happy Hippocrates.

None may be said of all who reveled with the Regents was half so wicked as Lord George Hell. I will not trouble my listeners with a long recital of his great naughtiness, but if a boy they should know that he was greedy, destructive and disobedient.

I am afraid there is no doubt that he often set up at carton house long after bedtime, playing at games, and that he generally ate and drank far more than was good for him. His fondness for fine clothes was such that he used to dress on weekdays quite as gorgeously as good people dress on Sundays.