Cast of
Thirty-Minute Theatre

About Thirty-Minute Theatre

  • Released on October 07, 1965
  • Drama

"Thirty-Minute Theatre" is a captivating anthology drama series that aired on BBC Television from 1965 to 1973. The show featured a diverse range of short plays, each with its unique plot and characters. Among the talented cast, Christopher Benjamin and Alec Guinness were notable for their performances.

The series served as a platform for budding writers to showcase their talent. Due to its short running length, "Thirty-Minute Theatre" was an ideal training ground for new writers. This format attracted many aspiring writers who later gained recognition in the industry. The series began in 1965 with an adaptation of the black comedy "Parsons Pleasure," setting the tone for the engaging and thought-provoking content that followed.

In 1967, BBC2 launched the UK's first color service, making "Thirty-Minute Theatre" the first drama series in the country to be broadcast in color. This technological advancement added a new dimension to the series, enhancing the viewing experience for audiences at home. The use of color brought the stories to life, making them even more engaging and immersive.

Full Cast of Thirty-Minute Theatre

Derek Francis

Beryl Reid

Shelley Winters

Tessa Wyatt

Emrys James

Julia Foster

Tim Preece

Nerys Hughes

Renée Asherson

Althea Gibson

John Cater

Eleanor Bron

John Castle

Donald Pleasence

Vernon Dobtcheff

Vernon Dobtcheff

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dobtcheff was born in Nîmes, [[France] to a British mother (Vernon) and a fath...

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Bill Owen

Frank Finlay

Moray Watson

John Le Mesurier

Judy Cornwell

John Standing

John Standing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Sir John Ronald Leon, 4th Baronet (born 16 August 1934) is an English actor a...

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Edward Woodward

Dennis Waterman

Jennifer Daniel

James Bolam

Diane Cilento

Michael Standing

Johnny Briggs
plays Ted Clayton (1 episode)

Donald Pickering

Noel Johnson

John Arnatt

Lally Bowers

Harry Locke

Keith Barron

John Franklyn-Robbins

Earl Cameron

Earl Cameron

Earl Cameron was born on August 8, 1917 in Pembroke, Bermuda. He was an actor, known for Thunderball (1965), Inceptio...

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Melvyn Hayes

Ray Brooks

Roy Castle

Esmond Knight

Mark Eden

Marius Goring
plays Mr Ponge (1 episode) , The Interrogator (1 episode)

Nigel Stock

Robin Hunter

Patrick Allen

Mary Morris

Calvin Lockhart

Frederick Jaeger

Hannah Gordon

Neville Smith

John Carson

Bryan Pringle

John Wood

Bernard Horsfall

Kenneth Colley

Kenneth Colley

Kenneth Colley (born 7 December 1937) is an English actor. A long-time character actor, he came to wider prominence t...

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John Gielgud
plays The Writer (1 episode)

Sylvia Syms
plays Judy Marriott (1 episode)

John Nettleton

Colin Douglas

Ken Jones

Tenniel Evans
plays Padstow (1 episode) , (1 episode)

Faith Brook

Kathleen Byron

Leonard Rossiter

Marie Kean

Sylvia Coleridge

Christopher Benjamin

Christopher Benjamin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Christopher Benjamin is a British actor, born 27 December 1934 in Trowbridge,...

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John Bennett

Royston Tickner

Philip Bond

Robert Lang

Jo Rowbottom

Clifton Jones
plays Pieter Amidou (1 episode) , (1 episode)

Claire Nielson

Ronald Lacey

Ronald Lacey

Ronald Lacey (28 September 1935 – 15 May 1991) was an English actor. He made numerous television and film appearances...

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Maureen O'Brien

Terence de Marney
plays Flanders (1 episode)

Dan Jackson
plays Adzola (1 episode)

Julian Glover
plays Spangle (1 episode) , (2 episodes)

Gillian Lewis
plays Angela (1 episode)

Nigel Davenport
plays The Prisoner (1 episode)

Richard Pearson
plays Cloon (1 episode) , (1 episode)

Athol Coats
plays Executioner (1 episode)

Colin Jeavons
plays Conspirator (1 episode)

Kenneth Griffith
plays Mr Rounds (1 episode)

Megs Jenkins
plays Miss Wellcome (1 episode)

Mary Kerridge
plays Miss Colduck (1 episode)

Miriam Karlin
plays Marcella Vankuchen (1 episode)

Sam Wanamaker
plays Solomon Ithimar, PhD (1 episode)

Michael Aldridge
plays Henry Shoreham (1 episode)

Antony Carrick
plays Correspondent (1 episode)

Patricia Routledge

Alfred Burke
plays First Man (1 episode)

Dean Stockwell
plays The Man (1 episode)

Dean Stockwell as The Man

Robert Dean Stockwell (March 5, 1936 – November 7, 2021) was an American film, television and stage actor with a care...

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Scott Forbes
plays Kender (1 episode)

John Junkin
plays Jeffrey (1 episode)

Leo McKern
plays Mark (1 episode)

Brian Wilde
plays Mr Shater (1 episode) , Shyster (1 episode)

Barry Jackson
plays Ed (1 episode)

Michael Graham Cox
plays Albert (1 episode)

David McKail
plays Fisher (1 episode)

Alec Guinness
plays The Executioner (1 episode) ,

Alec Guinness as The Executioner

Sir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE (2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. He was featured in several of the Eal...

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George Cole
plays Paul Bishop (1 episode) , Caramel (1 episode)

Maurice Denham
plays Crowther (1 episode)

Norman Rossington
plays Zinoviev (1 episode) , Mr. Dross (1 episode) , Connor (1 episode)

Lee Montague
plays Shuki (1 episode) , Lenin (1 episode)

David Collings
plays Sverdlov (1 episode)

John Bailey
plays Walter Dix, MP (1 episode)

Ann Firbank
plays Sally Dix (1 episode)

Ann Firbank as Sally Dix

Ann Firbank was born on January 9, 1933 and is currently 91 years old.

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Michael Goodliffe
plays The Minister (1 episode)

Erik Chitty
plays Mr. Aylwood (1 episode)

Barbara Lott
plays Grace Hornchurch (1 episode)

Mary Webster
plays Sheila (1 episode)

Prunella Scales
plays Marie (1 episode)

Barry Evans
plays Tommo (1 episode)

Harold Kasket
plays Barman (1 episode)

Jimmy Gardner
plays Little Tom (1 episode) , Elderly Sam (1 episode)

Harry Landis
plays Frank (1 episode)

Michael Brennan
plays Leonard (1 episode)

Paul Angelis
plays Susie (1 episode)


Crew of Thirty-Minute Theatre

Discover the backstage crew of Thirty-Minute Theatre →