Episode 1
Hands
Episode credits
Directed by Philip SavilleWritten by Fay WeldonGuest stars Rosemary Leach, Michael Howarth
TV series
Thirty-Minute Theatre
19658 seasons4.3 / 10
An anthology of short plays shown on BBC Television between 1965 and 1973, used in part at least as a training ground for new writers, on account of its short length, and which therefore attracted many writers who later became well known.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Thirty-Minute Theatre premiered October 7, 1965. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
An anthology of short plays shown on BBC Television between 1965 and 1973, used in part at least as a training ground for new writers, on account of its short length, and which therefore attracted many writers who later became well known.
Season 8 episodes
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Where to watch Thirty-Minute Theatre
Episode 2
Lushly
Episode credits
Directed by Brian FarnhamWritten by Howard BrentonGuest stars Roy Kinnear, Dudley Sutton
Episode 3
Too Far
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Directed by Christopher MorahanGuest stars Sheila Allen, Barrie Ingham
Episode 4
Thrills Galore
Episode credits
Directed by Donald McWhinnieWritten by Rhys AdrianGuest stars Jimmy Gardner, Harry Landis
Episode 5
The Argument
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Directed by Brian FarnhamWritten by Mavor MooreGuest stars Lee Montague, Judy Parfitt
Episode 6
The Seventh Juror
Episode credits
Directed by Alan CookeGuest stars Bridget Armstrong
Episode 7
I Spy a Stranger
Episode credits
Directed by Mark CullinghamWritten by Jean Rhys, Patrick GarlandGuest stars Mona Washbourne, Hana Maria Pravda
Episode 8
The Judge's Wife
Episode credits
Directed by James FermanWritten by Caryl ChurchillGuest stars Sebastian Shaw, Rachel Kempson
Episode 9
Scarborough
Holiday work in the countryside brings three young friends peace and tenderness. The richness and innocence of their experience carries with it the seeds of painful disintegration.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter CregeenWritten by Donald HowarthGuest stars Brian Deacon, Louisa Martin
Episode 10
Tonight We Meet Arthur Pendlebury
Episode credits
Directed by Christopher MorahanWritten by Alan PlaterGuest stars Norman Bird, Donald Churchill
Episode 11
Ronnie's So Long at the Fair
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Directed by Ian WyattGuest stars John Collin, David Dixon
Episode 12
Ten Torrey Canyons
Episode credits
Directed by Eric HillsWritten by Brian ClarkGuest stars Peter Halliday, Paul Henry
Episode 13
I Wouldn't Tell on You, Miss
Episode credits
Directed by Paul CiappessoniWritten by Susan PleatGuest stars Leslie Sands, Brenda Bruce
Episode 14
You're Free
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Directed by Anthony PageWritten by Henry LivingsGuest stars Rachel Roberts, Colin Blakely
Episode 15
Dialogue
Episode credits
Directed by Bob HirdWritten by Alasdair GrayGuest stars Elizabeth Bell, David Swift
Episode 16
Krapp's Last Tape
On Krapp's 69th birthday, he reviews a tape recording he made the year he was 39 and makes a new recording commenting on the last 12 months.
Episode credits
Directed by Donald McWhinnieWritten by Samuel BeckettGuest stars Patrick Magee
Episode 17
The Chauffeur and the Lady
Episode credits
Directed by Mike NewellWritten by Howard BarkerGuest stars Kenneth Cranham, Catherine Kessler
Episode 18
You've Been a Long Time, Alfred
Episode credits
Directed by VoytekWritten by John LoveladyGuest stars Mona Bruce, Karl Howman
Episode 19
The Japanese Student
Episode credits
Directed by James FermanGuest stars Gwen Cherrell, Stephen Murray
Episode 20
The Punchy and the Fairy
Episode credits
Directed by Roy BattersbyWritten by Jim AllenGuest stars James Culliford, Peter Kerrigan
Episode 21
Playthings
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Directed by Simon LangtonWritten by Peter PrinceGuest stars Brian Glover, Stephen Bone
Episode 22
Is Nellie Dead?
Episode credits
Directed by Herbert WiseGuest stars Beatrix Lehmann, Philip Latham
Episode 23
A Chance Encounter
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Directed by Tim AspinallWritten by Rhys AdrianGuest stars Hugh Burden, Oliver MacGreevy
Episode 24
You and Me and Him
Episode credits
Directed by Barry HansonWritten by David MercerGuest stars Peter Vaughan
Episode 25
The Great Acrobile
Episode credits
Directed by Tristan de Vere ColeWritten by Roy MintonGuest stars Bernard Spear, Brian Godfrey
Episode 26
Atrocity
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Directed by Barry HansonWritten by David RudkinGuest stars Anthony Douse, Alex Marshall
Episode 28
Swamp Music
When Pulsford, an ulcerated impresario, stages a competition to find a new pop-group, the only entrant is The Poetic Works. Their act is truly spectacular, too spectacular for Pulsford's own.
Episode credits
Directed by Ian McNaughtonWritten by Snoo WilsonGuest stars Nick Bicât, Hugh Fraser, Ed Devereaux
Episode 29
Croust
Episode credits
Directed by John HefinWritten by Dave HumphriesGuest stars Michael Brennan, Jimmy Gardner
Episode 30
The Baby's Name Being Kitchener
Episode credits
Directed by Michael HayesWritten by Peter EverettGuest stars Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Courtenay
Episode 31
Kamikaze in a Coffee Bath
Episode credits
Directed by Bill CraskeWritten by John GaleGuest stars Michael Bates, Timothy Bateson
Episode 32
About a Bout
Episode credits
Directed by Rodney BennettWritten by Philip MartinGuest stars Hilary Mason, Ray Mort
Episode 33
Shakespeare Country
Episode credits
Directed by Philip SavilleWritten by Alfred FagonGuest stars Alfred Fagon, Merdelle Jordine
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Available now in United States
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More about Thirty-Minute Theatre
Cast
Richard PearsonCyril Boggis
Norman RossingtonZinoviev
Lee MontagueThe Soldier
Donald SindenAndrew Pelham
Hugh BurdenHusband
John Franklyn-RobbinsPrisoner
Julian GloverThe Tenant
David CollingsSverdlovProduction details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 285
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
BBCUnited Kingdom
Themes
anthologybased on novel or bookbased on play or musicalbased on short storyliterary adaptationpartially lost media