Episode 1
The Raid
Episode credits
Directed by Anne HeadGuest stars Michael Goodliffe, Rachel Gurney
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 6 episodes
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Where to watch Thirty-Minute Theatre
Episode 2
The Year of the Crow
Episode credits
Directed by Rudolph CartierWritten by Lida WiniewiczGuest stars Nigel Davenport, Marius Goring, Colin Jeavons
Episode 3
Did Your Nanny Come from Bergen?
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Directed by Suzanne NeildWritten by Shelagh DelaneyGuest stars Guy Middleton, Michael Trubshawe
Episode 4
Tribunal
During the Czech uprising, a tribunal assembles for the trial of Alexander Dubcek.
Episode credits
Directed by Keith WilliamsGuest stars John Carlisle, Patrick Connor
Episode 5
Helen
Episode credits
Directed by Herbert WiseWritten by Keith Dewhurst, EuripidesGuest stars Paul Daneman, Aspasia Papathanasiou
Episode 6
The Warmonger
Episode credits
Directed by Mischa ScorerWritten by Keith Waterhouse
Episode 7
The Editor Regrets
Episode credits
Directed by Philip DudleyWritten by William Douglas-HomeGuest stars Dinsdale Landen, William Mervyn
Episode 8
Waugh on Crime: In Which Inspector Waugh Settles an Account
Inspector Waugh is asked to visit his bank manager, who needs some discreet help. Commander Browne formed the British Freedom Party and sailed for Albania. Since his return, his bank account has been emptied by a man posing as him.
Episode credits
Directed by Tristan de Vere ColeWritten by Arden WinchGuest stars Clive Swift, Willoughby Gray
Episode 9
Waugh on Crime: In Which Inspector Waugh Meets a Man Going to St. Ives
Inspector Waugh investigates an hit and run after a car driving on the wrong side of the road puts Mr Watkins in hospital. Watkins claims to be astronomer but his story doesn't hold water. Waugh finds a bag and Watkins criminal record.
Episode credits
Directed by Philip DudleyWritten by Arden WinchGuest stars Clive Swift, Robin Chadwick
Episode 10
Waugh on Crime: In Which Inspector Waugh Encounters the English Class System
P.C. White was chasing a missing dog which leads him to a dead body buried at the Maxwell Reece's garden. She claims it's a tramp but Waugh discovers that her lover died of a heart attack and she doesn't want neighbours to know
Episode credits
Directed by Tristan de Vere ColeWritten by Arden WinchGuest stars David McKail, Clive Swift, Cheryl Gilham
Episode 11
Waugh on Crime: In Which Inspector Waugh Observes the Truth of an Old Music Hall Song
The Mallows return from a three month holiday to discover their house has been broke in to. Inspector Waugh learns nothing has been stolen. Burglar Albert Lawless who found £5,000 hidden in locked draw, at the Mallows, and arrested.
Episode credits
Directed by Philip DudleyWritten by Arden WinchGuest stars Clive Swift, Sydney Tafler
Episode 12
Waugh on Crime: In Which Inspector Waugh Plays Cops and Robbers
Inspector Waugh is called to the house of Cynthia Holmes to look into the disappearance of her10-year-old son Peter. Waugh quickly spots that Mrs Holmes is lying about her wealth and the boy has escaped to have fun somewhere else.
Episode credits
Directed by Tristan de Vere ColeWritten by Arden WinchGuest stars Clive Swift, Alethea Charlton
Episode 13
Waugh on Crime: In Which Inspector Waugh Knows the Criminal but not the Crime
Inspector Waugh is looking for a robber from Liverpool, who he believes is in disguise and attempting to leave by boat. Arriving is Ephraim, a well. a known villain with no convictions. Waugh knows he's smuggling something, but what?
Episode credits
Directed by Philip DudleyWritten by Arden WinchGuest stars Clive Swift, Brian Peck
Episode 14
But Now They Are Fled
Episode credits
Directed by Clive ReesWritten by Ron BerryGuest stars Nicholas Jones, Angharad Rees
Episode 15
Faith
Episode credits
Directed by Michael HartWritten by John SpurlingGuest stars John Franklyn-Robbins, Esmond Knight, Robert Lang
Episode 16
Terrible Jim Fitch
Episode credits
Directed by James FermanWritten by James Leo HerlihyGuest stars Nicol Williamson, Marianne Faithfull
Episode 17
The Bequest
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Directed by Christopher MorahanWritten by Carey HarrisonGuest stars Keith Barron, Geoffrey Sumner
Episode 18
Me MacKenna
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Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Don ShawGuest stars Peter Attard, Prentis Hancock
Episode 19
The Proposal
Episode credits
Directed by Rudolph CartierWritten by Elisaveta Fen, Anton ChekhovGuest stars Rupert Davies, Elisabeth Bergner
Episode 20
Asquith in Orbit
Episode credits
Directed by Rodney BennettWritten by Hugo CharterisGuest stars Charles Gray, Peter Barkworth, Robert Lee
Episode 21
Happy Days Are Here Again
Episode credits
Directed by Brian FarnhamWritten by Dennis WoolfGuest stars Joe Melia, Hilda Braid
Episode 22
The Railway Man's New Clothes
Mr Lumley's dazzling sales-talk sometimes gets out of control.
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Willis HallGuest stars Peter Sallis, Barbara Mitchell
Episode 23
No Charge for the Extra Service
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Directed by Suzanne NeildWritten by Rhys AdrianGuest stars Lally Bowers, John Nettleton
Episode 24
A Distinct Chill
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Directed by Michael HartWritten by Ian CurteisGuest stars Ann Bell, Julian Curry
Episode 25
The Waiting Room
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Directed by Robert KnightsWritten by John BowenGuest stars Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Peter Bennett
Episode 26
Listen to the Drums
Episode credits
Directed by Vere LorrimerGuest stars Sean Barrett, Barry Keegan
Episode 27
Death's Head
Episode credits
Directed by John MatthewsGuest stars Peter Dyneley, Jerome Willis
Episode 28
Jilly
Episode credits
Directed by Ben ReaGuest stars Patsy Rowlands, David Collings, Patrick Troughton
Episode 29
Something for the Children
Episode credits
Directed by John HefinGuest stars Flora Robson, Alfred Lynch
Episode 30
The Room They Left
Episode credits
Directed by Keith WilliamsWritten by Richard McNeffGuest stars Donald Gee, James Laurenson, Alan Downer
Episode 31
Seven Days in the Life of Andrew Pelham: Crisis
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Derek Hoddinott, Innes LloydGuest stars Donald Sinden, Jennifer Clulow
Episode 32
Seven Days in the Life of Andrew Pelham: Suspect
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Derek Hoddinott, Innes LloydGuest stars Donald Sinden, Helen Lindsay
Episode 33
Seven Days in the Life of Andrew Pelham: Inquiry
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Don Shaw, Derek Hoddinott, Innes LloydGuest stars Donald Sinden, Robert James, Moray Watson
Episode 34
Seven Days in the Life of Andrew Pelham: Retreat
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Don Shaw, Derek Hoddinott, Innes LloydGuest stars Donald Sinden, Cyril Luckham
Episode 35
Seven Days in the Life of Andrew Pelham: Deadlock
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Don Shaw, Derek Hoddinott, Innes LloydGuest stars Donald Sinden, Donald Burton
Episode 36
Seven Days in the Life of Andrew Pelham: Breakthrough
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Don Shaw, Derek Hoddinott, Innes LloydGuest stars Donald Sinden, Paul Moriarty
Episode 37
Seven Days in the Life of Andrew Pelham: Decision
Episode credits
Directed by Gilchrist CalderWritten by Don Shaw, Derek Hoddinott, Innes LloydGuest stars Donald Sinden, Frederick Jaeger
Episode information updated Jul 24, 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