Originally broadcast: April 14 - June 2, 1991
Running time: 28 minutes each.
Colour
Associate Producer: Joan Collins
Series Adapted & Produced: Bryan Izzard
Directors: Paul Annett, Bryan Izzard,
John Glenister, & Sydney Lotterby
Genre: Comedy/Drama
VHS: Not available on commercial video
DVD: Available on commercial DVD
Graphics (c) BBC Press Release
Eight playlets written by Noel Coward, each starring Joan in different roles, with her repertory company
John Alderton, Jane Asher, Edward Duke, Bonnie Langford, John Nettles, Anthony Newley, Sian Phillips,
Denis Quilley, Joan Sims, John Standing, Reg Varney &
Simon Williams
1. HANDS ACROSS THE SEA - A gentle satire on the contrasting manners of visiting colonials and London Society.
"Piggie" Gilpin is enjoying a few days leave when the dreadful Wadhursts arrive.
Cast: Vera Jakob, Joan Collins, John Nettles, Edward Duke,
Bernard Cribbins, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Dempsey,
Sian Phillips & Nickolas Grace.
Director: Paul Annett.
2. RED PEPPERS - George and Lily Pepper are a husband and wife variety act whose bickering about old grievances in their dressing room results in the manager threatening their contract at the theatre.
Cast: Joan Collins, Anthony Newley, Reg Varney, Moyra Fraser, Richard Dempsey & Henry McGee.
Director: Bryan Izzard.
3. THE ASTONISHED HEART - Celebrated psychiatrist Christian Faber and his wife Barbara have an ordered, comfortable life …. until the arrival of an old schoolfriend upends the applecart.
Cast: Sian Phillips, Jessica Martin, Edward Duke, Edward Jewesbury, Joan Collins & John Alderton
Director: Paul Annett.
4. FAMILY ALBUM - It's autumn in 1860, and everyone is gathered to hear the family's will. But then the truth comes out which must never be repeated outside the family circle.
Cast: Denis Quilley, Jessica Martin, Richard Kane, Liza Sadovy, Charles Collingwood, Bonnie Langford,
Dominic Jephcott, Joan Collins & John Alderton.
Director: John Glenister.
5. FUMED OAK - Set in 1936, Fumed Oak is an unpleasant comedy based on the "worm will turn" theme and boasts one of Noel Coward's favourite creations, Henry Gow.
Cast: Joan Sims, Joan Collins, Prudence Oliver & Anthony Newley.
Director: John Glenister.
6. WAYS AND MEANS - At the opulent Villa Zephyre on the Cote D'Azure, Stella Cartwright and Toby have been relying on the hospitality of friends. Enter a burglar …..
Cast: Joan Collins, John Standing, Harold Innocent, Edward Duke, Sian Phillips, Kate O'Sullivan, Miriam Margolyes & Tony Slattery.
Director: Paul Annett.
7. STILL LIFE - The simple love story of three contrasting couples, set in the unromantic surroundings of the Milford Junction Station refreshment room. Coward later developed this play into the 1945 film Brief Encounter.
Cast: Joan Collins, Diane Langton, Steve Nicolson, Jane Asher, Norman Rossington, John Alderton, Brian McCardie, Stephen Simms & Moyra Fraser.
Director: Sydney Lotterby.
8. SHADOW PLAY - A theatre outing has an unusual effect on Victoria. She suspects Simon will leave her, and her suspicion haunts her troubled dreams. The action set in 1935 flits between past, present and future.
Cast: Kate O'Sullivan, Joan Collins, Jean Anderson, Simon Williams, Robert Meadmore, Carrie Ellis, Edward Duke & Edward Jewesbury
Director: John Glenister.
