Star Quality (TV) [1985] Susannah York

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Star Quality (TV 1985)


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090064/

Susannah York ... Lorraine Barry
Ian Richardson ... Ray Malcolm
Peter Chelsom ... Bryan Snow
David Yelland ... Tony Orford
David Swift ... J.C. Roebuck
Pam Ferris ... Marian Blake
Neville Barber ... Gerald Wentworth
Tim Bannerman ... Charles Hawkins
Ben Aris ... Eric Larch
Jo Kendall ... Linda Copeland
Amanda Donohoe ... Understudy
Bill Ritchie ... Understudy
Sydney Livingstone ... Stage manager
Jonathan Lacey ... Stage manager
Lucy Hancock ... Stage manager

In 1940's England, a young playwright is getting his first play produced by an important director. But the director wants to get a temperamental actress for the lead. And when Lorraine Barry arrives at the first reading, the battle is begun between director and star, with the poor playwright caught in the middle.

Adapted from a short story by NoeI Coward, Star Quality takes us behind the scenes of a new West End production. Conjuring up an authentic backstage world of talent and treachery, Coward creates a gallery of unforgettable characters; temperamental leading lady, ruthless director, jaded old troupers and, caught somewhere between them all, innocent young playwright. From tentative first rehearsal to triumphant opening night, the clash of egos becomes increasingly and hilariously bloody. But what emerges from the mayhem is a startling evocation of that most elusive gift of all - star quality.