![A man and woman in Victorian costume sit at a table together in a drawing room with gaslit lamps. The man holds a paper booklet.](https://mac-birmingham.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/Kaleidoscope-The-Plays-The-Thing.jpg?w=760&h=504&q=100&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1720774975&s=bee72aeb8faba04e0e0459525084b1d1)
Kaleidoscope: The Play’s The Thing
EventAbout Kaleidoscope: The Play’s The Thing
Join Midlands TV archivists Kaleidoscope for a day long celebration of the TV play, including little seen works featuring Charlotte Rampling and Glenda Jackson and a celebration of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation - including a Q&A with Sherlock Holmes expert Dr. Mark Jones and the world premiere of an animated version of a lost Peter Cushing audio play from 1968.
10am: Thirty Minute Theatre: Interview For Wives (1962)
The only Television Wales & The West drama that survives, never shown in the Midlands (until today)
10.30am: Saturday Night Theatre: Salve Regina (1969)
Science fiction drama with an out of this world cast
11am: Steve Finch and Nina Saville Q&A
John Finch was the author of countless plays and many episodes of Coronation Street and dramas such as Sam and A Family at War. Philip Saville directed many plays and series including Armchair Theatre. Nina Saville is a former actress from Count Dracula and Are You Being Served, who is now a talented author and wrote the memoirs of Philip Saville. Nina and Steve Finch will be signing copies of the memoirs of John Finch and Philip Saville afterwards. Hosted by Lez Cooke.
11.45am: Them Down There (1968)
Granada play filmed by MIke Newell at John Finch’s home
12.45pm: Lunch
1.15pm: Armchair Theatre: The Bandstand (1964)
2.15pm: Dr. Mark Jones Q&A
Dr Mark Jones is a writer, historian and educator who has been enchanted by the works of Conan Doyle since childhood. He is co-host of Doings of Doyle – The Arthur Conan Doyle Podcast and is an invested member of the Baker Street Irregulars, the world’s oldest Sherlockian society. Conan Doyle: Mystery and Adventure, a book by Kaleidoscope, combines his love of Conan Doyle with his fascination for archive television and all those programmes sadly lost for future generations. Mark will be signing copies of his book afterwards.
3pm: The Mystery of Cader Ifan (1967)
Rare BBC Conan Doyle play featuring an early role for Charlotte Rampling
4pm: Sherlock Holmes: The Second Stain (1968)
Found in 2024, this is the lost audio of an original Peter Cushing mystery for Granada, animated and premiered at today’s event
5pm: Television Theatre From…The Midlands (1968)
5.25pm: Train to Lymington (1990)
Four minute Channel 4 play to close the day
Booking info
To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.
Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.
MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.