BBC Play of the Month (Season 12)

A BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.

  • Poster for The Picture of Dorian Gray

    The Picture of Dorian Gray (Episode 1)

    Writer: John Osborne

    Air date: 1976-09-19

    Runtime: 100 min

    Overview: A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.

  • Poster for London Assurance

    London Assurance (Episode 2)

    Writer: Gerald Savory

    Air date: 1976-10-10

    Runtime: 90 min

    Overview: Grace has agreed to marry Sir Harcourt Courtly in return for his financial support of her family. At a house party in her father's place, Harcourt's son Charles also falls in love with Grace. When his father appears on the scene, he has to convince him that there is a case of mistaken identity and he is somebody else.

  • Poster for Look Back in Anger

    Look Back in Anger (Episode 3)

    Writer: John Osborne

    Air date: 1976-11-21

    Runtime: 90 min

    Overview: A disillusioned, angry university graduate comes to terms with his grudge against middle-class life and values.

  • Poster for The Winslow Boy

    The Winslow Boy (Episode 4)

    Writer: Terence Rattigan

    Air date: 1977-01-16

    Runtime: 113 min

    Overview: In pre-WWI England, a youngster is expelled from a naval academy over a petty theft, but his parents raise a political furor by demanding a trial.

  • Poster for The Country Wife

    The Country Wife (Episode 5)

    Writer: William Wycherley

    Air date: 1977-02-13

    Runtime: 110 min

    Overview: Pinchwife brings his simple young wife to London for his sister's wedding. Lest she falls prey to the town's temptations, he keeps her under lock and key.

  • Poster for The Ambassadors

    The Ambassadors (Episode 6)

    Writer: Denis Constanduros

    Air date: 1977-03-13

    Runtime: 90 min

    Overview: Strether is sent to Europe to rescue a young American from the charms of a mysterious French beauty. But he is soon under the liberating influence of Europe himself.

  • Poster for Heartbreak House

    Heartbreak House (Episode 7)

    Writer: George Bernard Shaw

    Air date: 1977-05-19

    Runtime: 120 min

    Overview: On the eve of World War I, Ellie Dunn, her father, and her fiancé are invited to one of Hesione Hushabye's infamous dinner parties. Unfortunately, her fiancé is a scoundrel, her father's a bumbling prig, and she's actually in love with Hector, Hesione's husband. This bold mix of farce and tragedy lampoons British society as it blithely sinks towards disaster.

BBC Play of the Month

Seasons