A great British programme available on DVD - but only in Canada

I was absolutely delighted to learn that the 1984 series, Six Centuries of Verse
is coming out on DVD in April - only to learn that it is being released in Canada.

VideoCanada.CA - Acorn Media

You would think that a series made in the UK and starring John Gielgud, Ian Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft and Julian Glover, amongst others, would be brought out on DVD in the UK. But alas, like many other British-made programmes it is not the case.

I contacted Acorn Media to ask if they would be releasing it on DVD in the UK and was told that there are no plans to do so. I guess I'll have to start saving.

In the meantime, here are a couple of reminders of this wonderful feast of recitation.

An example of the Legacy Ian has left behind

Sometimes we let technology take over our lives and keep us distracted from doing the things we ought to be doing.

But it has also made so much more accessible to all. People are able to find rare treasures they have been seeking - via Amazon, or Ebay - or freely available through sites such as YouTube.

One such treasure which is increasingly finding its way onto YouTube, is the wonderful series from 1984, Six Centuries of Verse. Introduced by the great John Gielgud, with Peggy Ashcroft, Ian, Julian Glover and Isla Blair amongst the readers.

A recent addition I stumbled across, is Ian's reading of Mathew Arnold's Dover Beach. The sound quality isn't great and the picture quality very poor. But, all you have to do is sit back, close your eyes, and be seduced by Ian's delivery.