The programme was broadcast on the 24 March 1974. 'Brendan Behan - The Writer, The Rebel, And The Rollicking Boy' was a documentary compiled and presented by Anthony Cronin to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Behan. 'The Hostage' mixed song, dance and direct interaction with the audience. The play is set in a brothel, the IRA safe house where the British soldier is being held. In the play a young British soldier is abducted by the IRA: he is to be held as a bargaining tool against the execution of an IRA prisoner the following morning. Originally written and performed in Irish as 'An Giall' at Dublin's Damer Theatre, Behan's English language adaptation of the play, 'The Hostage', met with great success internationally following Joan Littlewood's production in London in 1958. "The Thing About 'The Hostage' Was That It Changed Every Night" The Writer, The Rebel, And The Rollicking Boy One night he went back into the theatre got up on the stage and danced a hornpipe.
At the interval he was in a pub giving quotes to anyone who would listen. Journalist Donal Foley remembers Behan would be in audience 'The Hostage' engaging with the actors. Every night the play was something different with Behan often a major part ot the performance. For Joan Litttlewood Brendan Behan's attendance at performances of 'The Hostage' was part of the play itself. Joan Littlewood describes how he settled in London. 'The Hostage' was played differently every night with topical references added and with Behan himself interjecting or joining in the performance at times. Joan Littlewood and journalist Donal Foley recall the run of 'The Hostage' in London.
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