Series synopsis
Centre Play is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC One on July 19, 1973. It ended on July 19, 1977. It was created by Anne Head. It stars Patrick Murray, Gordon Jackson, Peter Newby and Stephen Grover.
Anthology series of half hour plays produced in BBC's Television Centre's studios.
Premise
Anthology series of half hour plays produced in BBC's Television Centre's studios.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Patrick Murray as Colin
- Gordon Jackson as Pops
- Peter Newby as Danny
- Stephen Grover as Alan
- Kennerly Brook as Sam
- Simon Gipps-Kent as Ivor
- Richard Willis as Terry
- Tony Bayliss as Brian
Supporting cast
- Davidson Knight as Benny
- Robin Gregory as Donald
- Anton Rodgers as Michael
- Ann Bell as Frances
- Kwesi Kay as John
- David Battley as Dennis
- Robin Parkinson as Frank
- Horace James as Howard
- Joseph Greig as Regan
- John Moore as Bill
- Bill Mills as American
- Gerald James as Bandmaster
Guest cast
- Patrick Murray as Colin
- Gordon Jackson as Pops
- Peter Newby as Danny
- Stephen Grover as Alan
- Kennerly Brook as Sam
- Simon Gipps-Kent as Ivor
- Richard Willis as Terry
- Tony Bayliss as Brian
- Davidson Knight as Benny
- Robin Gregory as Donald
- Anton Rodgers as Michael
- Ann Bell as Frances
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 68 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | July 18, 1973 | July 29, 1974 |
| Season 2 | 19 | December 30, 1974 | September 9, 1975 |
| Season 3 | 13 | December 6, 1975 | August 22, 1976 |
| Season 4 | 6 | May 15, 1976 | June 12, 1976 |
| Season 5 | 7 | August 5, 1976 | September 17, 1976 |
| Season 6 | 10 | December 19, 1976 | July 19, 1977 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Places Where They Sing | July 19, 1973 |
| 2 |
The Girls in Their Summer Clothes A husband's wandering eye, ogling every passing woman he sees, makes his wife feel unappreciated and unloved. This leads to an uncomfortable and frank discussion. |
July 26, 1973 |
| 3 |
The Museum Attendant A Black museum attendant struggles with domestic problems and racist colleagues. |
August 2, 1973 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Initiation An apprentice book-binder turns the tables on his bullying foreman. |
December 30, 1974 |
| 2 | The Saliva Milkshake | January 6, 1975 |
| 3 |
Snooker Two men have a confrontation in an exclusive London gentlemen's club. |
January 13, 1975 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Brent Geese Old friends gather in the hope of seeing a rare bird, but tensions begin to rise between two of them. |
December 6, 1975 |
| 2 | Hoodwink | December 13, 1975 |
| 3 |
The Imp of the Perverse An nameless student commits the perfect murder and then confesses due to an irresistible, irrational impulse to do wrong for its own sake. |
December 20, 1975 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commonwealth Season: New Zealand – Old Man March Is Dead | May 15, 1976 |
| 2 | Commonwealth Season: Trinidad – Home Sweet India | May 22, 1976 |
| 3 | Commonwealth Season: Nigeria – A Kind of Marriage | May 29, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Showcase: Riding South | August 6, 1976 |
| 2 | Showcase: A Man of Morality | August 13, 1976 |
| 3 |
Showcase: The Squad Belfast. Four men meet -'for a drink', says Denis. The car is ready in the back alley. The youngest, Terry, isn't drinking. He's begun to have doubts about his new company – and they about him. |
August 20, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
William Wilson Throughout his life, William Wilson finds himself being shadowed by another William Wilson, who seems to resemble him in more than just name. |
December 19, 1976 |
| 2 |
The Emperor's New Hat For 51 years, the Comtesse has bought a new hat to celebrate her wedding anniversary. This year, she invites her granddaughter Sylvie to the ceremony, where she will meet her grandfather at long last. |
February 7, 1977 |
| 3 | Kipper | February 13, 1977 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | July 19, 1973 |
| Last aired | July 19, 1977 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |