Mrs Cappers Birthday (BBC-1 1985, Patricia Hayes, Paula Wilcox)

It’s the early 1970’s and elderly widowed Mrs Capper is celebrating her birthday and by the end of an eventful day spent between her little cleaning job, visits from friends and family and a meal out, she realises that her lot is actually a pretty good one. Her employees Mr and Mrs Nash are getting over the night before of major party and both have actually committed adultery and are desperate that the other doesn’t find out and find that bribery goes a long way with Mrs C. Mrs Capper later has her daughter and son-in-law take her out to dinner.

This is a gorgeous little play, one of six in the Star Quality anthology series and possibly the best (and definitely the most likable) of the sextet. As befitting a Jack Rosenthal script naturally. Patricia Hayes is a gem in the lead and watch out too for a young Hugh Laurie in the early scenes. Previously produced in 1968 with Beryl Reid in the lead role.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast 17 November 1985 @ 9.10pm

Writer: Jack Rosenthal / Story: Noel Coward / Script Editor: Alan Drury / Production Design: Colin Shaw / Music: Chris Walker / Costumes: Rita Reekie / Executive Producer: Victor Glynn / Producer: Alan Shallcross / Director: Mike Ockrent

Series: Star Quality

cast
PATRICIA HAYES as Mrs Capper
AVIS BUNNAGE as Alice Loft
PAULA WILCOX as Maureen
MAX WALL as Mr Godsall
KATHRYN POGSON as Audrey Nash
GARY WALDHORN as Jack
PADDIE O’NEIL as Arlene
JOHN BIRD as Maurice
HUGH LAURIE as Bobby McMichael
NICHOLAS GECKS as Toby Nash
ROGER SLOMAN as David
DENYSE ALEXANDER as Mrs Bertram
MARK BOYNTON as Newspaper Boy
SANDRA HALE as Laura
SUE CARPENTER as Mrs BUrgess
CHRIS WALKER as Pianist
PETER McMICHAEL as Soldier
ELAINE LORDAN as Girlfriend
ANDREW PAUL as Young Drunk