She's Been Away

1989 television play

5th episode of the 1st series of Screen One
"She's Been Away"
Screen One episode
Advertisement for a rebroadcast on Masterpiece Theatre
Episode no.Series 1
Episode 5
Directed byPeter Hall
Written byStephen Poliakoff
Produced byKenith Trodd
Featured musicStephen Edwards
Editing byArdan Fisher
Original air date8 October 1989 (1989-10-08)
Running time103 minutes
Guest appearances
Peggy Ashcroft
James Fox
Michael Carter
Rosalie Crutchley
Donald Douglas
David Hargreaves
Geraldine James
Hugh Lloyd
René Zagger
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Home Run"
Next →
"The Mountain and the Molehill"

"She's Been Away" is a 1989 British television film written by Stephen Poliakoff and directed by Sir Peter Hall.[1][2] In her final appearance it starred Dame Peggy Ashcroft, who won two awards at the Venice International Film Festival for her performance, as did Geraldine James.[3][4] It was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Single Drama.

Plot

The closure of a mental institution threatens to leave the elderly Lillian homeless. Her wealthy nephew Hugh takes her in, putting additional strain on his wife Harriet. Gradually, an awkward friendship develops between Harriet, on the verge of a nervous breakdown herself, and Lillian, who has spent fifty years as a mental patient.

Cast

  • Peggy Ashcroft as Lillian Huckle
  • Geraldine James as Harriet Ambrose
  • James Fox as Hugh Ambrose
  • Jackson Kyle as Dominic Ambrose
  • Rebecca Pidgeon as Young Lillian
  • Rosalie Crutchley as Gladys
  • Rachel Kempson as Matilda
  • Cryss Jean Healey as Young Margaret
  • Leslie Goodall as Old Edward
  • Edgar Goodall as Old Thomas
  • René Zagger as Young Thomas
  • Barnaby Holm as Young Edward
  • Donald Douglas as Lillian's father
  • Hugh Lloyd as George
  • Brid Brennan as Lillian's nurse
  • David Hargreaves as Lillian's doctor
  • Hugh Ross as 1920s doctor
  • Carrie Thomas as 1920s nurse

References

  1. ^ "She's Been Away (1989)". BFI. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  2. ^ "BBC One - Screen One, Series 1, She's Been Away". BBC. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  3. ^ New York Magazine. New York Media, LLC. 2 December 1991. p. 152. {{cite book}}: |magazine= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Volpi Cup for Best Actress". Portale di Venezia. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2021.

External links

  • BBC site for programme
  • "She's Been Away" at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • v
  • t
  • e
Films directed by Peter Hall


Stub icon

This article related to a BBC television programme is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

  • v
  • t
  • e