In political drama The Absence of War Labour leader George Jones (John Thaw) battles with his party on the campaign trail of a general election. Based on David Hare’s successful play which also starred Thaw in the lead and screened as part of the BBC’s Screen Two strand of high profile stand alone dramas.
Hare began writing plays after founding an experimental theatre group in the late 1960′s, initially setting himself up as director his writing very quickly eclipsed his directorial skills. Absence of War itself if part of a trilogy examining the state of various British institutions, the others being Law and the Church.
Series: Screen Two Season 13 Episode 5
Cast: JOHN THAW as George Jones; RICHARD PASCO as Malcolm Pryce; NICHOLAS DAY as Charles Kendrick; SASKIA WICKHAM as Mary; MARTIN JARVIS as Linus; BARBARA LEIGH-HUNT as Gwenda; OLIVER FORD-DAVIES as Oliver; MICHAEL BRYANT as Bryden; CLARE HIGGINS as Lindsay; PAUL MORIARTY as Andrew; ALASTAIR GALBRAITH as Bruce; TYRONE HUGGINS as Trevor; JUDITH COKE as Carole; JUDY DAMAS as Waitress
Writer: David Hare / Costumes: Hazel Pethig / Producer: Simon Curtis / Executive Producer: George Faber / Director: Richard Eyre
UK / BBC Two / 1×105 minute episode / Broadcast 1995
