Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    Banner
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
          • Movies 1950
          • Movies 1951
          • Movies 1952
          • Movies 1953
          • Movies 1954
          • Movies 1955
          • Movies 1956
          • Movies 1957
          • Movies 1958
          • Movies 1959
        • 1960s Movies
          • Movies 1960
          • Movies 1961
          • Movies 1962
          • Movies 1963
          • Movies 1964
          • Movies 1965
          • Movies 1966
          • Movies 1967
          • Movies 1968
          • Movies 1969
        • 1970s Movies
          • Movies 1970
          • Movies 1971
          • Movies 1972
          • Movies 1973
          • Movies 1974
          • Movies 1975
          • Movies 1976
          • Movies 1977
          • Movies 1978
          • Movies 1979
        • 1980s Movies
          • Movies 1980
          • Movies 1981
          • Movies 1982
          • Movies 1983
          • Movies 1984
          • Movies 1985
          • Movies 1986
          • Movies 1987
          • Movies 1988
          • Movies 1989
        • 1990s Movies
          • Movies 1990
          • Movies 1991
          • Movies 1992
          • Movies 1993
          • Movies 1994
          • Movies 1995
          • Movies 1996
          • Movies 1997
          • Movies 1998
          • Movies 1999
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1960s Television
    1960s Television Drama Shows T 3 Mins Read

    Talking to a Stranger

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    1 9 6 6 (UK)
    4 x 90 minute episodes

    Over four ninety-minute plays, the events of one tragic weekend are told from the point of view of each member of an ordinary suburban family.

    Nothing like it had been attempted on television before and the drama was a big critical and popular success, screening an exceptional three times in eighteen months.

    Writer John Hopkins juggled three time-lines – the present, the recent past and the distant past – to produce a gradual accumulation of information about the characters, building to a shattering climax.

    The first play shows Terry (Judi Dench) in her flat (where she remembers scenes from her past) and the family reunion on Sunday.

    The second play, which tells the father’s story, shows the family reunion but adds Ted’s (Maurice Denham) memories of his early life.

    Play three focuses on Alan (Michael Bryant), but omits the family Sunday, instead exploring the aftermath of the mother’s suicide. It does not repeat material but examines the themes of the first two plays.

    The fourth and final play revisits the family Sunday, repeats material from the first two plays and explores more fully the relationship between Sarah (Margery Mason) and Alan.

    Thus, the audience is presented with all the information it needs to understand Sarah’s despair and suicide, as more family history is revealed play by play.

    Audiences might, however, have been forgiven for their surprise that it should be the mother who takes her life when all of the other family members appear to have equal cause.

    Terry, separated from her black husband and pregnant with another man’s child, hides her deep insecurity and fear behind a veneer of cynical flippancy.

    Alan is weak, resentful, jealous and unloved. Father achieved little in his professional life and is disappointed in his marriage; he has now largely withdrawn into the past.

    None of them is able to communicate with each other. They are indeed strangers talking.

    Critic Sylvia Clayton wrote that “the one trait which the Stephens family had in common was a profound sense of self-pity. Their misery was contagious and unrelieved; they were alive only when hurting other people.”

    Their descendants can be found in every British soap opera, from EastEnders to Emmerdale.

    The series earned John Hopkins television’s Writer of the Year award while Judi Dench was named Television Actress of the Year for her performance as the rootless daughter, Terry.

    Sarah Stevens 
    Margery Mason
    Edward ‘Ted’ Stevens 

    Maurice Denham
    Terry Stevens 

    Judi Dench
    Alan Stevens 

    Michael Bryant
    Jess 

    Pinkie Johnstone
    Gordon Lester 

    Emrys James
    Geoffrey Lawrence 

    Timothy Carlton
    Leonard Ngana 

    Calvin Lockhart
    Young Sarah 

    Ann Mitchell
    Young Ted 

    Frederick Pyne
    Young Terry 

    Gaynor Jones
    Young Alan 

    Keith Kent
    Detective Sergeant Wilson 

    Windsor Davies
    Mrs Hayter 

    Mariann Turner
    Policeman 

    Terry Leigh

    Related Posts

    • Screen One
      Screen One
      1 9 8 9 - 1 9 9 8 (UK) 60 x 90/100 minute episodes This television anthology drama series of…
    • Quatermass II
      Quatermass II
      1 9 5 5 (UK) 6 x 30 minute episodes Following the success of The Quatermass Experiment in 1953, writer Nigel…
    • Happy Ever After
      Happy Ever After
      1 9 6 9 - 1 9 7 0 (UK) 14 x 50 minute episodes This 14-part drama anthology series from…
    • Omega Factor, The
      Omega Factor, The
      1 9 7 9 (UK) 10 x 50 minute episodes Tom Crane (James Hazeldine) is a newspaper journalist with a…
    • An Age Of Kings
      An Age Of Kings
      1 9 6 0  (UK) 15 x 60 minute episodes A linking together of all Shakespeare's history plays chronicling the…
    • Offshore Island, The (1959)
      Offshore Island, The (1959)
      1 9 5 9 (UK) 1 x 90 minute episode This gloomy (but highly acclaimed) view of the future was produced…
    • Consider Your Verdict
      Consider Your Verdict
      1 9 6 1 - 1 9 6 3 (Australia) 163 x 60 minute episodes Based on a successful radio drama…
    • Man Called Shenandoah, A
      Man Called Shenandoah, A
      1 9 6 5 - 1 9 6 6 (USA) 34 x 30 minute episodes Wagon Train star Robert Horton was given…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleMacGyver
    Next Article Naked City

    Comments are closed.

    Can you help?
    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998. The site carries no advertising, and I rely on donations to help with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small.


    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Field Of Dreams (1989)
      Kevin Costner, as Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, is the epitome of […]
    • Wheels of Fire (1985)
      This B-grade clone of George Miller’s Mad Max 2 was filmed […]
    • Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
      1 9 6 8 – 2 0 0 1 (USA) 896 x 30 minute episodes […]
    • Opera (1987)
      When diva Mara Cecova (a role originally intended for Vanessa […]
    • Mini Mob, The (1967)
      From double Oscar-winning documentary-guru Robert Amram – […]
    • Baader-Meinhof (Red Army Faction)
      “Baader-Meinhof” became the popular name for the […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    Cant see this doll being reintroduced any time soon 😳

    Can't see this doll being reintroduced any time soon 😳 ... See MoreSee Less

    2 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Sadistic and child abuse.

    This is very sad news. Jack Lee was a great unsung hero of the power pop world, and The Nerves were a great band that also featured Peter Case (who went on to bigger things with The Plimsouls) and Paul Collins (who headed up his own successful power pop band, The Beat).

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Jack Lee, Nerves Singer and Writer of Blondie Hit ‘Hanging on the Telephone,’ Dies at 71

    variety.com

    Jack Lee, who co-fronted the influential L.A. band the Nerves in the late 1970s and saw his songs turn into major hits for Blondie and Paul Young, died May 26 in Santa Monica, Calif. at age 71. His…
    2 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 13
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    😔

    Vale Cynthia Weil. One of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. 

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/songwriter-cynthia-weil-death-music-b2350742.html

    Vale Cynthia Weil. One of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century.

    www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/songwriter-cynthia-weil-death-music-b2350742....
    ... See MoreSee Less

    4 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Happy 81st to Anita Harris 🫶

    Happy 81st to Anita Harris 🫶Happy 81st Birthday to Anita Harris, born 3rd June 1942 in Somerset, England. She is an all round entertainer, singer/dancer/actress.
    As a child she was a keen ice skater, and just before her 16th birthday she was talent spotted and invited to join a dance troupe and headed for Las Vegas, performing 3 shows a night. She stayed 6 months.

    While she enjoyed dancing, singing was always her first love. Upon returning to England she joined the Cliff Adams Singers and was with them for 3 years. In 1961 she made her first recordings with the John Barry Seven. Possibly two of her best known recordings are 'Just Loving You' and 'We're Going on a Tuppenny Bus Ride'.

    In the 1960's She appeared in a two 'Carry On' films. On TV in the 70's among other things she was on David Nixon's Magic Box for 8 years as his assistant. She continued working on stage and screen with entertainment legends – everyone from Bob Monkhouse and Tommy Cooper to Bruce Forsyth, Morecambe and Wise and Harry Secombe. In 1986 she made her debut in 'legitimate theatre' playing Grizabella in the West End production of Cats.
    Today she continues to perform on stage and in cabaret with her band. You can hear her recordings on
    serenade-radio.com the Best in Easy Listening.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    6 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 11
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    I remember using whatever one was cherry-flavoured.

    It was Dr Mopp for me.

    www.raleigh.co.uk/gb/en/look-whos-back/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Look whos back | Raleigh UK

    www.raleigh.co.uk

    They will be available to buy online and at Raleigh Bikes Nottingham. The online sale will have a virtual queuing system in place and at Raleigh Bikes Nottingham there will be a queueing system outsid...
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 5
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    FIREBALL XL-5 begins this Saturday, 3rd June at 2:35pm on #TalkingPicturesTV So here's five fascinating facts about the Gerry Anderson's 'Supermarionation' programme!
    1 - The series was inspired by the 'space race' between the USSR and the USA. 2 - 39 episodes were made in black and white. 3 - The series premiered on ATV London in October 1962. 4 - The voice of Steve Zodiac was provided by actor Paul Maxwell. 5 - The famous theme song was sung by Don Spencer.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 8
    • Shares: 3
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/31/bruce-springsteen-review-murrayfield-stadium-edinburgh

    That's why they call him "The Boss".
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Bruce Springsteen review – after half a century, still having the time of his life

    www.theguardian.com

    Springsteen and the E Street Band feel like a bar band that can’t believe their luck to be playing a stadium – and the enthusiasm is infectious
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Sad news. We wish her well 🤗

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dame Esther Rantzen says her lung cancer is in stage four

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV presenter and Childline founder says she is on a new form of medication for the disease.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 3

    Comment on Facebook

    Oh no 😢 in my prayers Esther xxx

    Didn’t she want to put the unvaccinated into camps during lockdown…

    That’s not cool 😞

    Another great voice has left us 😪

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Tina Turner: Music legend dies at 83

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Her unmistakable voice on hits like The Best and What's Love Got to Do With It made her a superstar.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    I found out on tiktok before I saw it on any news channels..

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Canada Cold War Crime Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen Kraütrock Labels Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Scotland Ska Soul music Sport Surf music Video games
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.