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The Wednesday Play

  • TV Series
  • 1964–19701964–1970
  • 1h 15m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
110
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Wednesday Play (1964)
Drama

Series of one-off plays made by BBC television, which gave breaks to a wide range of writers and directors in the late 1960s, such as Dennis Potter, Ken Loach, David Mercer, and John Hopkins... Read allSeries of one-off plays made by BBC television, which gave breaks to a wide range of writers and directors in the late 1960s, such as Dennis Potter, Ken Loach, David Mercer, and John Hopkins. Famous plays include "Up the Junction", "Cathy Come Home" , "Stand Up Nigel Barton", "Vo... Read allSeries of one-off plays made by BBC television, which gave breaks to a wide range of writers and directors in the late 1960s, such as Dennis Potter, Ken Loach, David Mercer, and John Hopkins. Famous plays include "Up the Junction", "Cathy Come Home" , "Stand Up Nigel Barton", "Vote, Vote, Vote For Nigel Barton", "On the Eve of Publication", and "Son of Man". The serie... Read all

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
110
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • Sydney Newman
  • Stars
    • Edwin Brown
    • Neville Smith
    • Tony Selby
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Sydney Newman
  • Stars
    • Edwin Brown
    • Neville Smith
    • Tony Selby
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Film Award
      • 7 wins & 7 nominations total

    Episodes171

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season

    Photos23

    The Wednesday Play (1964)
    Glenda Jackson and David Sumner in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    John Le Mesurier and Richard O'Callaghan in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    Keith Barron in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    Keith Barron and Janet Henfrey in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    The Wednesday Play (1964)
    Alan Dobie in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    Alan Dobie in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    John Gielgud and Felicity Kendal in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    Felicity Kendal in The Wednesday Play (1964)
    The Wednesday Play (1964)
    Maureen O'Reilly in The Wednesday Play (1964)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edwin Brown
    Edwin Brown
    • Chief Prison Officeras Chief Prison Officer…
    9 episodes9 eps • 1965–1969
    Neville Smith
    • Eddieas Eddie…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1965–1969
    Tony Selby
    Tony Selby
    • Brother Malachyas Brother Malachy…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1965–1967
    Michael Robbins
    Michael Robbins
    • Albert Barkingas Albert Barking…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1966–1970
    Ken Jones
    • Arthuras Arthur…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1965–1969
    Alec Coleman
    • Gambleras Gambler…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1965–1967
    George Sewell
    George Sewell
    • Barny the tallyman, in the washhouseas Barny the tallyman, in the washhouse…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1965–1967
    Paddy Joyce
    Paddy Joyce
    • Dockeras Docker…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1965–1969
    Griffith Davies
    • Jackie Coulsonas Jackie Coulson…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1965–1969
    Alan Selwyn
    • Gambleras Gambler…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1965–1967
    Alec Ross
    • Jon Ansonas Jon Anson…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1969
    Tommy Godfrey
    • Plantaganet Kingas Plantaganet King…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1967
    John Kidd
    John Kidd
    • Auctioneeras Auctioneer…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1967
    William Moore
    • Constable Howellas Constable Howell…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1967
    Keith Campbell
    • Americanas American…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1969
    Will Stampe
    • Boat Proprietoras Boat Proprietor…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1967
    Wally Patch
    • Grandadas Grandad…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1967
    John Bailey
    John Bailey
    • Bartolomeo Vanzettias Bartolomeo Vanzetti…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1965–1967
    • Creator
      • Sydney Newman
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Series of one-off plays made by BBC television, which gave breaks to a wide range of writers and directors in the late 1960s, such as Dennis Potter, Ken Loach, David Mercer, and John Hopkins. Famous plays include "Up the Junction", "Cathy Come Home" , "Stand Up Nigel Barton", "Vote, Vote, Vote For Nigel Barton", "On the Eve of Publication", and "Son of Man". The series often addressed controversial issues, such as homelessness and abortion. —D.Giddings <darren.giddings@newcastle.ac.uk>
    day in titlepartially lost tv series
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This series does not exist complete in the archives, with several episodes having been wiped (meaning they no longer exist) for reasons of saving money and storage space before 1978, when the BBC audited its program archives, and established a proper archiving policy.
    • Connections
      Featured in TCM Guest Programmer: Tim Roth (2008)

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Not all formulae are formulaic
    The Wednesday play seemed to me a brave attempt to do something new and interesting with drama on television. Very like fringe theatre in some respects but with an ability to stretch locations I found it immensely stimulating as a teenager and would love to see more TV drama like it.

    Things like The Sopranos or 6' under seem to me to represent a very commercialised aspect of the attempt to surprise and stimulate that The Wednesday Play did in an understated way.

    I suppose one could look back to things like Armchair Theatre to such one-offs too. I know that writers of equally good talent must still exist but are they getting the chances they deserve? Otherwise, what do we do? Flog off to Edinburgh again and sleep on a floor? At my age? Well, yes of course if I have to.
    helpful•9
    1
    • ian-butterworth
    • Dec 1, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 30, 1964 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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