About Face (TV series)

About Face is a British sitcom consisting of twelve unconnected half-hour episodes starring Maureen Lipman. Each episode featured a guest cast of familiar personalities. The first set of six installments was broadcast in November–December 1989 and the second set in January–February 1991.

About Face
GenreSitcom
StarringMaureen Lipman
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes12
Production
Running time30 minutes
Production companyCentral Independent Television
Release
Original networkITV
Original release6 November 1989 (1989-11-06) –
11 February 1991 (1991-02-11)

The episodes were written by Richard Harris, Geoffrey Perkins, Chips Hardy and John Henderson, Astrid Ronning, John Wells, Paul Smith and Terry Kyan, Jack Rosenthal (Lipman's husband), Carol Bunyan, as well as Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. It was made for the ITV network by Central Independent Television.

Plot

Each episode has a stand-alone plot with Maureen Lipman playing a different character each time. She described the women as having "a certain emptiness in their lives".

Episodes

Series One (1989)
Title Airdate Overview
Searching for Señor Duende 6 November 1989 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 1989 Lipman is Helen, who exacts revenge on her husband Michael (Michael Jayston), a Member of Parliament, when the press interview her.
Gracie 20 November 1989 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 (Diana Weston). Also in the cast: Phyllida Law.
Mrs Worthington's Daughter 27 November 1989 Lipman is Patience, an American stage manager. She attends a first-night party that improves her morale.
Send Her Victorious 4 December 1989 Maureen Lipman plays Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, with John Wells portraying her husband, Denis, as they are both kidnapped whilst on holiday. Also starred Richard Vernon, John Cater and Tony Slattery.
The Bag Lady 11 December 1989 Maureen Lipman is the sole cast member, as 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.

Series Two (1991)
Title Airdate Overview
Tourist Attraction 7 January 1991 Lipman is Louise, a tourist guide trying 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 1991 Maureen Lipman plays Peggy, whose husband Guy prefers golf to his wife. Then Peggy takes up golf as well.
Requiem 21 January 1991 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 1991 Set in an office in Reading, the focus is on the romance between Deirdre (Lipman) and Graham (Simon Cadell), the area manager. Also starred Robert Bathurst and Owen Brenman.
Monkey Business 4 February 1991 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 February 1991 Maureen Lipman plays Dr MacBride, an over-worked and ambitious NHS registrar. Also starred William Gaunt, Martin Clunes and James Grout.

References
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