GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Rehearsals: 26^th – 29^th March 1978 at The Sulgrave Boys Club, 287 Goldhawk Road, London, W12

1:30pm – 5:30pm

Walk-Through: 30^th March 1978 at Yorkshire Television Centre, Leeds

Recorded: 31^st March 1978 at Yorkshire Television Centre, Studio 4, Leeds

Broadcast: Tuesday 8pm 18^th April 1978

CAST

Leonard Rossiter – Rigsby

Frances de la Tour – Ruth

Don Warrington – Philip

Avis Bunnage – Veronica

Andrew Sachs – Mr Snell

Gretchen Franklin – Aunt Maud

CREW

Creator/Writer – Eric Chappell

Producer/Director – Vernon Lawrence

Designer – Peter Caldwell and Colin Pigott

Music – Dennis Wilson

Casting – Liz Evett

Floor Manager – Pat Richards

Stage Manager – Olive Simpson

Production Asst – Ellie Kyle

Lighting – Peter Hardman

Cameras – Gerry Lord

Sound – Dave Whiteley

Vision Mixer – Chris Foley

Tech Supervisor – Harry Nicholson

Wardrobe – Brenda Fox

Make-up – Judy Binns

Asst Stage Manager – Vanessa Ford

Props – Arthur Lake

Production Buyer – Gil Procter

Scenes – Ed Bailey

Call Boy – Val Lawson

Warm-up – Felix Bowness

Episode Review

“Rigsby’s in the money, Rigsb’y got the residue!” Good news beckons for Rigsby when his late Uncle George departs and the winds of change bring forth Mr Snell from Hargreaves the Solicitors. There’s a mere 50,000 nicker up for grabs but there’s only one fine detail, in the small print, which must be obeyed. The recipient must be happily married! Well, Rigsby’s been happy for years but that’s only ‘cause his bitter half lives in Cleethorpes! So, who’s to take her fraudulent place to end all Rigsby’s financial transactions? Miss Jones of course, with accent, make-up and….a little more sand. But alas, Rigsby’s wife, Veronica, has turned up for her share of the windfall and Aunt Maud’s turned up to verify the happy couple. What could possibly go wrong? Well, what is for certain, it’ll all be going to the dogs, and that includes Veronica!

Interesting to note:

• Production# 2935
• Tuesdays at 8.00pm, opposite new BBC Scotland drama serial The Standard starring Colette O’Neil and Patrick Malahide.  No Richard Beckinsale in this last run – he was busy with West End musical comedy “I Love My Wife” and Porridge sequel Going Straight.
• ‘Great Expectations’ – 18.25m
• Rigsby’s Christian name ‘Rupert’ is mentioned for the first and only time in the series.
• The second hired cat to portray Vienna – called Patsy – makes his first appearance.

Did you know?

• A working door-bell was fitted by the crew for the scene when veronica arrives.
• The end credits for this episode were superimposed over the “RISING DAMP” caption slide.

Dressing Rooms:-

Leonard Rossiter #12

Frances de la Tour #6

Don Warrington #8

Avis Bunnage #7

Andrew Sachs #9

Gretchen Franklin #5