Play for Today

Season 6

BBC anthology series featuring original plays, theatrical and literary adaptations from 1970-1984. Over 300 episodes aired, each 50 mins to 1 hr 40 mins long. Some were later developed into series, like Rumpole of the Bailey.

Where to Watch Season 6

25 Episodes

Plaintiffs and Defendants
E1
Plaintiffs and DefendantsA married barrister's life begins to unravel when it seems that his high-strung mistress may reveal all.
Two Sundays
E2
Two SundaysAn author tells an old school chum that he is about to publish a novel revealing their old relationship.
Moss
E3
MossMoss is a miser whose only love is his grandson. Then tragedy strikes, and Moss is "reborn."
84 Charing Cross Road
E4
84 Charing Cross RoadAn American woman corresponds with a London bookshop owner over a period of 20 years
Keep an Eye on Albert
E5
Keep an Eye on AlbertTerry has begun to neglect his wife for a life of drinking, weight lifting, pigeon racing and other women. But when his best friend Albert returns from the navy and begins to pay Terry's wife some attention, what will be the outcome?
Children of the Sun
E6
Children of the Sun"You expect to face a bit of danger when you travel. Half the fun of it. But you keep cool and bluff your way out. After all, we're all British aren't we?"
After the Solo
E7
After the SoloA boy enjoys success in the choir until his voice breaks at puberty.
Through the Night
E8
Through the NightA woman goes into hospital to receive treatment for breast cancer.
A Passage to England
E9
A Passage to EnglandA group of Asians plans to sneak into England using a fishing boat
Rumpole of the Bailey
E10
Rumpole of the BaileyRumpole defends a young West Indian boy accused of attempted murder.
The Other Woman
E11
The Other WomanAn aggressive lesbian disrupts the lives of those around her.
Nuts in May
E12
Nuts in MaySmug married couple Keith and Candice Marie “keen exponents of their belief in organic health food, exercise and the environment” are on a camping holiday, where they find that it is not always easy to be tolerant of others when they don't share the same enthusiasms.
Doran's Box
E13
Doran's BoxA long-distance lorry driver; a spaceman; a volunteer under reduced environmental conditions; a man in solitary confinement: the discomfort of these people is shared by Doran - when he can't put his finger on the panic button.
Packman's Barn
E14
Packman's BarnJohn Barrett returns to his remote hill farm after 20 years to deal with some unfinished business, and finds himself once again in conflict with the locals.
A Story to Frighten the Children
E15
A Story to Frighten the ChildrenA woman encounters trouble when she arrives home late at night, but her neighbors on a nearby estate claim to have seen and heard nothing.
The Happy Hunting Ground
E16
The Happy Hunting GroundThe fish quay is a happy hunting ground for an ambitious young rogue like Bob, who has an eye on the boss's business - and all that goes with it.
The Jumping Bean Bag
E17
The Jumping Bean BagAn end-of-term play with a difference as Ozzie and the boys break into a hard rock number. But even though they make the big time, success has its darker side.
Clay, Smeddum and Greenden
E18
Clay, Smeddum and GreendenA play based on three short stories about the Scottish people and their relationship with the land: ""Clay"" concerns a farmer's obsession with his fields to the exclusion of his dying wife; ""Smeddum"" is about an indomitable woman and her large family; and ""Greenden"" tells the story of an unhappy woman from the city living with her indifferent husband in the country.
Love Letters on Blue Paper
E19
Love Letters on Blue PaperWhy has Sonia taken to writing letters to her husband, posted to him in the letter-box just outside their house - love letters, on blue paper, recalling with increasing vividness the early days of their courtship and marriage?
Willie Rough
E20
Willie RoughA story depicting life in a shipyard
Tiptoe through the Tulips
E21
Tiptoe through the TulipsA divorced woman is introduced to a separated man at an awkward dinner party.
The Peddler
E22
The PeddlerOne pill, and you're floating on air. A different one, and you're full of lead. Married, mortgaged, broke, a love-affair gone sour - which drug can help Alec?
Early Struggles
E23
Early StrugglesA story about a father's attempts at single parenthood
Double Dare
E24
Double DareA playwright spends an afternoon in a hotel room with an actress who takes on the role of call girl for research purposes.
The House of Bernarda Alba
E25
The House of Bernarda AlbaThe eldest daughter of a domineering, overprotective mother becomes engaged to an unprincipled young man who has money.