Rock Follies: The Show Business (ITV 24 Feb 1976)

In The Show Business Anna Lynd, Devonia “Dee” Rhoades and Nancy “Q” Cunard de Longchamps, all down on their luck actresses/singers audition for parts in a new West End musical called Broadway Annie, they get major parts but unfortunately the show is a complete turkey. Musical director Derek has his own ideas though and thinks the girls should start a group and get into The Rock Music.

Fabulous opening episode, the girls slowly get to know each other even if there is quite a bit of antagonism aimed at Anna by the other two when they first start rehearsals. Charlotte Cornwell and Julie Covington have fantastically strong voices and whilst Rula Lenska has a pretty voice it is quite weak in comparison, she does make up for it by looking completely gorgeous though. One aspect that gives the episode a slightly surrealistic air is the way the characters put a definite article before Show Business and Rock Music so it is always The Show Business and The Rock Music.

Each episode sees a big budget fantasy musical number and in this episode it is to the song The Stairway on a set made up of three free standing giant white staircases. Very Busby Berkely.

classic quote
“It’s a load of old bourgeious nonsense anyway”

production details
UK | ITV – Thames

RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes | AIRDATE: 24 February 1976

WRITER: Howard Schuman | DIRECTOR: Jon Scoffield

Series: Rock Follies Season One Episode One

cast
CHARLOTTE CORNWELL as Anna Wynd
JULIE COVINGTON as Devonia “Dee” Rhoades
RULA LENSKA as Nancy “Q” Cunard de Longchamps
EMLYN PRICE as Derek Huggin
STEPHEN MOORE as Jack
BILLY MURRAY as Spike
MICHAEL J. SHANNON as Carl ‘Tubes Benson
JOHN BLYTHE as Sheldon Markie
JEFFREY GARDINER as William Bishop
LARRY BURNS as Eddie Lorenzo
ELLIS DALE as Schubert Birnbaum
PETER HILL as Mr Grendel
ANGELA BRUCE as Gloria
PETER GALE as Michael Rolphe
FRANK WILLIAMS as Make Up Man
STANLEY FLEET as Sam Stone
MAGGY MAXWELL as Lottie Nelson
BILL DRYSDALE as Ron Furie
MICHAEL LANDER, ADRIAN LE PELTIER, DAVID MACHIN, ALEC POOR, WENDY BARRY, JUDY GRIDLEY, PAULINE HOLLIS, DESI MADDOX as Broadway Annie Dancers