Armchair theatre was itv's flagship drama anthology series. Initially screened between 1956 and 1973, it was hugely popular, with viewing figures occasionally reaching twenty million, and became a byword for quality in televised drama. Pioneering, immensely influential and sometimes challenging in its content, the series consistently drew upon a wide range of talent. Armchair theatre became a showcase for the post war generation of british writers who sought to place sensitive social topics in particular the british class system under the microscope. Throughout, the series featured a number of powerful, award winning plays, and its lasting influence was a testament to producer sydney newman's passionate belief in television's potential to bring high quality drama to the viewing public. This collection brings together a further eight plays, initially broadcast between 1970 and 1974. Featuring scripts by donald churchill, p.j. Hammond and roger marshall, whose play ties into an episode of his most memorable series public eye, the programmes include accomplished performances from, among others, john thaw, anton rodgers, kenneth haigh, bill maynard, susannah york, gordon jackson and warren clarke. Wednesday's child competition the left overs high summer the creditors the death of glory the square of three according to the rules running time 423 minutes region region 2 release date 3 sept. 2012