Approximately 500 episodes aired onITV from 1955 to 1967. The first production wasTen Minute Alibi, produced by Associated-Rediffusion on 14 May 1956[1] while the earliest to survive isThere Was a Young Lady, broadcast live on 23 July 1956 and simultaneouslytelerecorded on film.[2]
The first production not to be transmitted live wasHenrik Ibsen'sThe Wild Duck[3] which was also film recorded. The first to be pre-recorded onvideotape wasMary Broome, a Granada production broadcast on 3 September 1958.[4] Subsequently, only one play was transmitted live, Associated-Rediffusion'sSearch Party on 26 July 1960.[5] The recording ofThe Liberty Man, a Granada production broadcast on 1 October 1958, contains the original advertisements during the first commercial break.[6]The Violent Years was networked from Anglia on its opening night, 27 October 1959, and exists at theUniversity of East Anglia.[7]
The series includedYou in Your Small Corner byBarry Reckord, first broadcast in June 1962, which was an early taboo breaking drama depicting lovers from white and black backgrounds kissing.[8] This also survives.[9]
Other productions included:
Look Back in Anger - produced by Granada, broadcast 28 November 1956, does not exist[10]
