Centre Play (BBC Two 1973-1977)

Centre Play was an anthology series of half hour plays that were produced in the studios at BBC’s Television Centre. Writers included Andrew Davies, Hugh Whitemore, Anthony Read, Nigel Williams, Howard Brenton, Howard Schuman, Don Shaw, Barry Hines and Robin Chapman.

Lots of well known faces appeared too including the likes of Glyn Owen, Michael Kitchen, Celia Johnson, Sam Kidd, Jean Heywood, Rosalind Ayres, Michael Gough, Zena Walker, Alfred Burke, Shirley Anne Field, Judy Parfitt, Pat Heywood, Robert Lang, Colin Jeavons, Clifford Rose and Edward Hardwicke.

In 1976 seven episodes were broadcast as Centre Play Showcase. One episode from season four, Article 5, was filmed but banned because it’s focus was on the use of torture on political prisoners.

production details
UK / BBC Two / x30 minute episodes / Broadcast 31 December 1973 – 19 July 1977

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 31 December 1973 – 8 February 1974
1. THE ILLUMINATION OF MR SHANNON (31 Dec 1973)
2. DUMMY RUN (18 Jan 1974)
3. SWEETHEART (25 Jan 1974)
4. MY LAST DUCHESS (1 Feb 1974)
5. HURT HAWKS (8 Feb 1974)

SEASON TWO 8 July – 29 July 1974
1. ALBERT AND THE MAYOR’S TREE (8 Jul 1974)
2. GOD BLESS THEE JACKY MADDISON (15 Jul 1974)
3. IS IT SOMETHING I SAID? (22 Jul 1974)
4. MUTINEES (29 Jul 1974)

SEASON THREE 30 December 1974 – 6 March 1975
1. INITIATION (30 Dec 1974)
2. SALIVA MILKSHAKE (6 Jan 1975)
3. SNOOKER (13 Jan 1975)
4. THE HOUSE ON THE HILL (20 Jan 1975)
5. A HELPING HAND (27 Jan 1975)
6. THE TRIP TO JERUSALEM (3 Feb 1975)
7. SUGGEST TUESDAY (13 Feb 1975)
8. TEA AT FOUR (20 Feb 1975)
9. LETTER FROM A SOLDIER (27 Feb 1975)
10. GAMBITT’S MOVE (6 Mar 1975)

SEASON FOUR 7 July – 8 September 1975
1. POST MORTEM (7 Jul 1975)
2. THE FLIGHT FUND (14 Jul 1975)
3. HANGING ON (21 Jul 1975)
4. OUR TERRY (28 Jul 1975)
5. THE GHOST OF ADELPHI TERRACE (11 Aug 1975)
6. THE STICK INSECT (18 Aug 1975)
7. THE WATER BABY (25 Aug 1975)
8. JUDGE THE BLOODY CITY (1 Sep 1975)
9. GRACE (8 Sep 1975)
10. ARTICLE 5 (Unbroadcast)

SEASON FIVE 6 December 1975 – 21 February 1976
1. BRENT GEESE (6 Dec 1975)
2. HOODWINK (13 Dec 1975)
3. YOU TALK TOO MUCH (10 Jan 1976)
4. MIRROR, MIRROR (17 Jan 1976)
5. GREASE MONKEY (24 Jan 1976)
6. ENGLAND, SUMMER, SUNDAY (31 Jan 1976)
7. THE WEEKEND (7 Feb 1976)
8. IN THE LABYRINTH (14 Feb 1976)
9. TWO MEN FROM DERBY (21 Feb 1976)

SEASON SIX 15 May – 20 June 1976
THIS WAS A COMMONWEALTH SEASON WITH EACH PLAY FOCUSING ON A DIFFERENT COMMONWEALTH REGION.
1. NEW ZEALAND: OLD MAN MARCH IS DEAD (15 May 1976)
2. TRINIDAD: HOME SWEET INDIA (22 May 1976)
3. NIGERIA: A KIND OF MARRIAGE (29 May 1976)
4. AUSTRALIA: SWEEPING PLAINS (5 Jun 1976)
5. INDIA: APPLY, APPLY, NO REPLY (12 Jun 1976)
6. CANADA: FOR THE WHALES (20 Jun 1976)

SEASON SEVEN 8 – 28 August 1976
1. PIANO LESSONS (8 Aug 1976)
2. A WILY COUPLE (15 Aug 1976)
3. SISTERS (22 Aug 1976)

CENTRE PLAY SHOWCASE 6 August – 17 September 1976
1. RIDING SOUTH (6 Aug 1976)
2. A MAN OF MORALITY (13 Aug 1976)
3. THE SQUAD (20 Aug 1976)
4. FAIR TRADIN’ ON THE DANCIN’ GROUND (27 Aug 1976)
5. ONLY LOOKING (3 Sep 1976)
6. SEA CHANGE (10 Sep 1976)
7. CITY OF FEAR (17 Sep 1976)

SEASON EIGHT 7 February – 19 July 1977
1. THE EMPEROR’S NEW HAT (7 Feb 1977)
2. KIPPER (14 Feb 1977)
3. AUNTIE KATHLEEN’S OLD CLOTHES (21 Feb 1977)
4. TALKIN’ BLUES (28 Feb 1977)
5. THE TIP (21 Jun 1977)
6. THE SNIFFER AND THE PUG (28 Jun 1977)
7. RISKING IT (5 Jul 1977)
8. A PASSAGE TO INVERNESS (12 Jul 1977)
9. REHEARSAL (19 Jul 1977)