Series 1
16 episodes · 1973
1October
An anthology for October, highlighting some of the month's events in music, theatre, visual arts, books and film.
2National Service
A documentary entertainment spoken, sung, written and performed by former National Servicemen including Acker Bilk, Ronnie Corbett, Nicholas Harman , Michael Parkinson , novelist Gordon Williams and volunteers from the general public.
3November
An anthology for November, highlighting some of the month's events in music, theatre, visual arts, books, and film.
4In Liverpool
Features some of the personalities and activities that are thriving in the city of Liverpool today, ten years after the birth of the ' Liverpool scene '.
5Mailer's Marilyn
A special edition featuring Norman Mailer's recently published biography of Marilyn Monroe.
6Some views of the British Theatre
In the spring of 1975 the new National Theatre opens on London's South Bank. Melvyn Bragg looks at the British Theatre, the people who go to it and those who don't.
7January
An anthology for January highlighting some of the month's events in music, books, theatre, film and the visual arts.
8Episode 8
The first TV appearance of a newly formed trio, S.O.S., which combines three of the finest British jazz saxophonists. Edwin Mullins reviews the current exhibition at the Tate Gallery. Brigid Brophy, founder of the Writers' Action Group (W.A.G.), discuss why their livelihood severely curtailed by the public library system, and their immediate plans to storm Parliament.
9An Artist's Story
A short story by Chekhov, revolving around the confrontation of ideas between Anton, a landscape painter, and Lydia, a young aristocratic girl who devotes her life to good works, is the centrepiece for tonight's programme.
10Frank's for the Memory
A disagreement with the Arts Council has brought to an end Frank Hauser's association with the Oxford Playhouse, and the winding up of the company he founded 17 years ago to put on new plays in Oxford - the Meadow Players. As a grand finale, many of the celebrated artists who have appeared with the company during its life gathered in Oxford to put on a special show as a surprise parting gift for Frank Hauser.
11Episode 11
Jack Common's classic account of a northern working-class childhood - Kiddar's Luck - is soon to be republished. 2nd House looks at some original H. M. Bateman drawings from the current exhibition at the Leicester Gallery. The Garage is a new gallery in London, dedicated to showing the work of living artists. Peter Maxwell Davies is one of Britain's most highly regarded composers. Tonight they play three of his compositions.
12The First Freedom
All over the world writers and artists are in conflict with authoritarian rule. 2nd House presents the work of four individuals whose freedom of expression has, for differing reasons, been curtailed or suppressed.
13Episode 13
Comedian Les Dawson, a W. C. Fields devotee, presents a collection of hitherto unpublished letters, speeches and sketches from Fields's intended autobiography, due to be published in April. Joshua Rifkin conducts his own orchestral arrangements of Scott Joplin's Pineapple Rag and The Ragtime Dance. Edwin Mullins looks at the way the impressionists and contemporary photographers documented the city of Paris of the 19th century. Grace, a story from Dubliners by James Joyce adapted by David Storey.
14Episode 14
Charlie Gillett presents highlights from this year's Sixth International Festival of Country Music at Wembley. Yesterday was the 150th anniversary of the death of the poet Lord Byron. Ian Hamilton, the founder of one of the most controversial poetry magazines of the 60s, launches The New Review.
15Episode 15
Melvin Bragg introduces a Cornish poet, an electronic painting, the music of Horslips and The Great Money Trick.
16On Filmfinale
Tonight's 2nd House is devoted entirely to showing the work of independent filmmakers, and discussing their problems, their achievements and their future aims.