God Rot Tunbridge Wells!

God Rot Tunbridge Wells! is a 1985 British musical television film directed by Tony Palmer, written by John Osborne and starring Trevor Howard, Christopher Bramwell and Dave Griffiths.[1] It was aired on Channel 4 in 1985 and was made to mark the 300th anniversary of Handel's birth.

Plot

In his old age in London, the German composer George Frideric Handel reflects over his life and musical career.

Cast

• Trevor Howard – Elderly Handel
• Christopher Bramwell – Young Handel
• Dave Griffiths – Handel in middle age
• Isabella Connell – Princess of Wales
• Anne Downie – Vittoria Tarquini
• Beth Robens – Handel's Mother
• Simon Donald – Prince Ruspoli

Music

Musical excerpts used are:[2]

• Messiah (I know that my redeemer liveth) - Elizabeth Harwood, (But who may abide) - Emma Kirkby
• Xerxes (Ombra mai fu) - James Bowman
• Acis and Galatea (Oh happy we) Valerie Masterson, Anthony Rolfe-Johnson
• Judas Maccabæus (See the conquering hero) Judith Howarth, Lynn Anderson
• Ode for the birthday of Queen Anne (Let envy the conceal her head) - John Shirley-Quirk
• Concerto for organ opus 7 No.5 - Simon Preston
• Suite for keyboard no. 7, HWV 432 (Passacaglia) - Andrei Gavrilov
• Excerpts from the Music for the Royal Fireworks, Water Music, and The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba played by the English Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras

Locations

The film was shot for free at the Earl of Oxford and Asquith's house (for Brook Street, London), Chatsworth House for a banquet scene, Drumlanrig Castle for a grand house visited by the boy Handel, as well as other homes of English aristocracy. Palmer commented that "I had a million dollars worth of locations, and all for 3/6d".[3]

References

1. BFI.org
2. WorldCat entry for DVD of God rot Tunbridge Wells : the life of Georg Frederic Handel accessed 19 February 2024.
3. God Rot Tunbridge Wells - a tale of woe and bloody-minded persistence. Booklet essay by Tony Palmer accompanying DVD TPDVD114 (2008).

External links

• God Rot Tunbridge Wells! at IMDb