The Years Between

Summary

1956 Associated-Rediffusion production for ITV of The Years Between by Daphne du Maurier.

Theatre play

The Years Between by Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) [more information]

Play synopsis

This is one of two original plays that du Maurier wrote; the other is September Tide (1948). ‘Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, The Years Between unfolds in the library/living room of an English country house. The man of the house, Colonel Michael Wentworth, MP, is presumed dead after his plane crashed into the sea on a flight to Europe in 1942. His wife Diana is persuaded to take over the Colonel’s parliamentary seat, and she is supported in her endeavours by her neighbour Richard Llewellyn, a sympathetic farmer with whom she strikes up a romantic relationship. [...] Three years later, as the war is about to come to an end, the Colonel returns. He has been playing a key role in organising the resistance movement in Occupied Europe, and his disappearance and death were staged by the authorities to provide convincing cover for his activities. The remainder of the play deals with the fallout of Michael’s return on the various protagonists.' Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_Between_%28play%29.

Production history

'The Years Between was first performed on stage at the Manchester Opera House in the autumn of 1944. It then transferred to London, opening at Wyndham’s Theatre on 10 January 1945 starring Nora Swinburne and Clive Brook. The production, directed by Irene Hentschel became a long-running West End hit, completing 617 performances. It was also turned into a 1946 film starring Michael Redgrave and Valerie Hobson.' Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_Between_%28play%29.

Date of transmission

Monday 18 June 1956

Time

8.00-9.30pm

Series

Play of the Week

Channel

ITV

Production company

Associated-Rediffusion (1955-1964)

Credits

Director

Compton Bennett

Producer

Sydney Box

Playwright

Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989)

Screenplay by

Muriel Box

Screenplay by

Sydney Box

Cast

Felix Aylmer	Sir Ernest Foster
John Gilpin	Robin
Dulcie Gray	Jill
Valerie Hobson	Diana
James McKechnie	Richard
Michael Redgrave (1908-1985)	Michael
Flora Robson (1902-1984)	Nanny

Additional details

Play tags

politics; Second World War, as theme or setting; wartime, as theme or setting

Print sources

Title

TV Times, 15 June 1956 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, with portrait image of Valerie Hobson, on p. 15