Classics on TV: Jacobean Tragedy on the Small Screen

Compulsion

Polished and provocative adaptation of The Changeling, set in modern-day London.

Size 9 Productions-ITV 2009
Directed by Sarah Harding
With Parminder Nagra, Ray Winstone, Ben Aldridge
Running time 93 min

Inspired by Rowley and Middleton’s The Changeling, Joshua St Johnston’s screenplay is set in modern-day London. Anjika is the daughter of a wealthy Indian businessman who seeks help from family chauffeur Don Flowers (De Flores in the original play) to avoid an arranged marriage. Flowers’ obsession prompts a demand for sexual favours in return. An exceptionally polished and provocative adaptation, the film brings the spirit of self-destruction in Jacobean tragedy to contemporary primetime drama. Plus an extract from The Changeling (Blood and Thunder. Granada 1965. Dir Derek Bennett. With Derek Godfrey, Kika Markham, Hal Hamilton. 20min)

We are pleased to announce that the adaptor Joshua St Johnston and the director Sarah Harding will introduce this screening.