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- This article is about the British sitcom. For other uses, see About Face.
About Face was a series of twelve unconnected half-hour sitcoms all starring Maureen Lipman in the lead role. Each episode featured a guest cast of well known actors and actresses. The episodes were written by Richard Harris, Geoffrey Perkins, Chips Hardy & John Henderson, Astrid Ronning, John Wells, Paul Smith & Terry Kyan, Jack Rosenthal (Lipman's husband), Carol Bunyan and Ian Hislop & Nick Newman. It was made for the ITV network by Central Independent Television. It is not currently available on DVD.
All the episodes had a different plot with Maureen Lipman playing a different character each time. However, Lipman said that all the women had "a certain emptiness in their lives".
[edit] Episodes
[edit] Series One (1989)
| Title |
Airdate |
Overview |
| Searching for Señor Duende |
6 November |
Maureen Lipman plays Carol, a south London telephonist who becomes obsessed by flamenco dancing, which brings to an end her relationship with boyfriend Trevor (Michael Gambon). |
| Stand By Your Man |
13 November |
Lipman was Helen, wife who exacts revenge on her husband Michael, a MP, when the press interview her. Michael was played by Michael Jayston. |
| Gracie |
20 November |
Gracie (Lipman), a Cypriot immigrant is a cloakroom attendant a London club. But, the celebrations to mark her quarter of a century there are altered by the arrival of Jessica, an American film star (played by Diana Weston). Also starred Phyllida Law. |
| Mrs Worthington's Daughter |
27 November |
Lipman starred as Patience, a stage manager from the USA. She attends a first-night party that improves her morale. |
| Send Her Victorious |
4 December |
Maureen Lipman played Margaret Thatcher, the then Prime Minister opposite John Wells as Denis as they are both kidnapped on holiday. Also starred Richard Vernon, John Cater and Tony Slattery. |
| The Bag Lady |
11 December |
Maureen Lipman was the only cast member in this programme, and she was Wendy, The Bag Lady, who travels the streets of London in search of furniture she believes she lost to the Prime Minister thirty years ago. Writer Jack Rosenthal believed this to be one of his best works. |
[edit] Series Two (1991)
| Title |
Airdate |
Overview |
| Tourist Attraction |
7 January |
Louise, played by Lipman, a tourist guide, tries to finish work as soon as possible to meet her German boyfriend, who is only in town for one night. But she needs to persuade Ken, the coach driver played by Keith Barron, to drive faster. Also starred Carol Cleveland and Libby Morris. |
| This For The Half Darling |
14 January |
Maureen Lipman plays Peggy, whose husband Guy prefers golf to his wife. Then Peggy takes up golf as well. |
| Requiem |
21 January |
This time, Lipman plays Anne, a shop assistant and amateur opera singer, who wants her husband Keith to come and see her perform solo, but he wants to attend a Rotary function. Also starred Stephanie Cole. |
| Briefcase Encounter |
28 January |
Set in an office in Reading, Berkshire, this focused on the romance between Deirdre (Lipman) and Graham (Simon Cadell), the area manager. Also starred Robert Bathurst and Owen Brenman. |
| Monkey Business |
4 February |
Helen Firebrace (Lipman) is going through customs when cocaine is found in her possession. The animal rights campaigner is finally let through without the customs officer (Bernard Hill) having spotted the chimpanzee. Also starred Rory McGrath. |
| Sleeping Sickness |
11 December |
Maureen Lipman plays Dr MacBride, an over-worked and ambitious NHS registrar. Also starred William Gaunt, Martin Clunes and James Grout. |
[edit] References
United Kingdom
