The Glittering Prizes was a sextet of linked plays following 20 years in the lives of a group of Cambridge university graduates from 1953 to 1976. Adam Morris wins a scholorship and goes on to write an oscar winning script and becomes a novelist (he is clearly modelled on writer Frederic Raphael who also won an Oscar for his work on Darling), whilst other key characters include teacher Dan Bradley, lecturer Bill Bourne. Despite most of the central characters achieving professional success their personal lives are all over the place.
A work of brilliance, The Glittering Prizes is one of the best dramas of the 1970’s, Raphael perfectly captures the changing times and the social, sexual and political issues that came to the forefront during the post war years. High quality all round, from script, performances and through to production design.
production details
UK / BBC-2 / 6×75 minute episodes / Broadcast 21 January – 25 February 1976
Writer: Frederic Raphael / Costumes: Judy Allen / Script Editor: Richard Broke / Production Design: Spencer Chapman / Producer: Mark Shivas / Directors : Waris Hussein and Robert Knights
cast
TOM CONTI as Adam Morris
BARBARA KELLERMANN as Barbara Hughes
CLIVE MERRISON as Bill Bourne
SIMON CADELL as Ken Hobbs
EMILY RICHARDSON as Anna Cunningham
NATASHA MORGAN as Sheila Wise
LEONARD SACHS as Lionel Morris
RENEE GODDARD as Estelle Morris
JEREMY CHILD as John Cadman
MARK WING-DAVEY as Mike Clode
MALCOLM STODDARD as Dan Bradley
NIGEL HAVERS as Denis Porson
