Oxbridge Blues – Nostalgia Central

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1 9 8 4 (UK)
7 x 60/30 minute episodes

These seven standalone plays were adapted for the BBC by writer Frederic Raphael from a selection of his short stories. Several of the actors appeared in two or three of the productions.

The debut episode – the BAFTA-nominated ‘Oxbridge Blues’ – stars Ian Charleson as the brilliant Victor Geary, who leaves the hallowed halls of King’s College Cambridge with academic honours and seems programmed for success (including a talented wife and a top career in the civil service).

On the other hand, his wayward younger brother Philip (Malcolm Stoddard) seems earmarked for a life of failure. He gets a poor degree (a third at Selwyn), marries the unexciting girl next door, and goes to work in a travel agency. But things change when Philip becomes the author of best-seller sex thrillers and begins raking in the cash.

When the brothers and their wives are invited on a Greek cruise with Philip’s publisher Curly (Malcolm Stoddard) and his Italian-American wife Carlotta (Diane Keen), an unusual wife-swap occurs.

In ‘That Was Tory’, wine merchant Clive (John Bird) and his French interior decorator wife Gigi (Joanna Lumley) try to set up their business partner Crispin (Malcolm Stoddard) with their old friend Tory (Carol Royle) – a pet name for ‘Victoria’ – who has recently been deserted by her husband Duncan (Christopher Good), a knighted civil servant.

Secretly though, Gigi is attracted to Crispin and Clive to Tory – in a very kinky way (he makes her take her clothes off and pours wine over her).

The voice of Norman Rodway narrates ‘Similar Triangles’ – a play without words – and describes a torrid adulterous love affair which comes to an end when the spouse of one of the lovers dies suddenly. Malcolm Stoddard makes his final appearance in the series as the successful civil servant who is cheating on his beautiful wife, Rachel (Ciaran Madden). Kate Fahy plays his lover, Eileen.

Their affair is discreet but passionate. They steal a few hours whenever they can from their busy married lives and meet in borrowed bedrooms. Their secret liaisons continue, but one day, Eileen receives some bad news, and all at once, a very new perspective is put on this three-edged relationship.

‘He’ll See You Now’ stars Susan Sarandon in an award-winning performance as Natalie Carlsen, a garrulous and nutty actress and singer, with Barry Dennen as Dr Harold Stein – her staid Jewish psychoanalyst of seven years – whose patient and quiet demeanour is in stark contrast to Natty’s volatile instability.

Natty turns up at his office one day and demands that he make up her mind for her. She is in love with two men – Rick and Sidney – but which one should she choose? Dr Stein is adamant that he cannot help, but he does suggest an alternative remedy that changes Natty’s life.

‘The Muse’ has David Suchet as Colin Smith, the successful author of several acclaimed novels. He is also the writer of a television sitcom and the creator of a popular cartoon character. Colin’s life has been a successful one – at least, that is what he thinks until he meets Angela Lane (Frances Tomelty), an influential critic who likes his novels but finds the rest of his “accomplishments” beneath his literary ability.

When they begin having an affair, Colin’s home life also comes under attack. Colin considers leaving his wife (Carol Royle) to further his literary career but soon finds that she has very different ideas.

In ‘Cheap Day’, bored suburban housewife Laura (Ciaran Madden) encounters an intriguing and unattached man named Alec (Norman Rodway) on a train to London, which leads her to contemplate adultery. Geoffrey Palmer co-stars as Laura’s husband, Fred.

‘Sleeps Six’ co-stars Jeremy Child as Philip, an agent invited to holiday in the South of France with his former business partner, highly successful filmmaker Geoff Craven (Ben Kingsly) and his wife Sherry (Diane Keen).

Philip turns up without his fiancee, Jane, behaving belligerently and seemingly on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Crispin/Michael/Philip Geary/Curly
Malcolm Stoddard
Narrator/Alec
Norman Rodway
Laura/Rachel
Ciaran Madden
Eileen/Lizzie
Kate Fahy
Carlotta/Sherry Craven
Diane Keen
Ellen/Tory
Carol Royle
Duncan/James
Christopher Good
Goldie Pinto/Mrs Stein
Nancy Roberts
Natalie “Natty” Carlsen
Susan Sarandon
Geoff Craven
Ben Kingsley
Colin Smith
David Suchet
Victor Geary
Ian Charleson
Clive
John Bird
Gigi
Joanna Lumley
Angela Lane
Frances Tomelty
Dr Harold Stein
Barry Dennen
Maxine
Amanda Redman
Fred
Geoffrey Palmer
Philip, Lord Witham
Jeremy Child
Polska
Philip O’Brien
Wendy De Souza
Rosalyn Landor
Albie Pocock
Philip McGough
Tom
Julian Curry
Bernie Pinto
Alfred Marks
Michael
Robert Craig-Morgan
Lady Jane
Jackie Smith-Wood
Marcia
Andrea Browne
Lucy
Holly Aird
Ned
Timothy Carlton
Curly Bonaventura
Michael Elphick
Sidney
Lou Hirsch
Chrissie Page
Alisa Bosschaert
Gabriella
Natasha Richardson
Sir Patrick Hankey
Clifford Rose
Rick
Jeff Harding