Tonight at 8.30

From 1991, Joan Collins stars in a series of 8 playlets by Noel Coward. In the 7-set Noel Coward collection; many cite this disk as the best. I have to agree, at least from what I've seen thus far.

Collins appears alongside ex-husband Anthony Newley, John Nettles from Midsomer Mysteries, Sian Phillips, Edward Duke, Jane Asher, Joan Simms, John Standing and others.

Coward wrote these for himself and Gertrude Lawrence, and they performed them (with an additional one or two) in the past on stage, several on each of three nights, and then repeating the series for the rest of the week.

Both Coward and Lawrence are theatrical legends and there is no conceivable way Collins and group could replicate the performances undoubtedly given by their predecessors. However, these playlets are still well performed. The first is far and away my favorite, Hands Across the Sea, and most suited to Collins. It contains a hilarious bit where the confused Collins and her husband sing lyrics to one another trying to figure out who their guests are, since they aren't the ones expected.

Collins is reasonably successful in all the playlets. I haven't seen these performed before so I can't compare them to any other productions. Sian Phillips in three of the playlets was fantastic as always.

It's hard today for us to realize just how famous Coward and Lawrence were since we have so many celebrities today and so few people who can match their abilities. Coward wrote these plays, the music, and acted in them. Quite a feat. I recommend this particular disk.

Co-Written by Noel Coward, "Tonight at 8:30" is a British TV series of vignettes produced and acted by Joan Collins. Known mostly for her evil "Alexis" role in "Dynasty" during the 1980s, Collins had been in various films in the UK and US, and even "the Road to Hong Kong" with Bob Hope. In most of the episodes, quirky people come trooping through the living room, in various comical or awkward situations. This set of eight shows is included on the BBC Collection of Noel Coward Works in DVD. In "Hands Across the Sea", Joan is the absent minded hostess who bumbles her way through a cocktail party, insulting and complimenting guests at random. "Red Peppers" is a married couple's tribute to Vaudeville. Keep an eye out for (Mr. Edwards) Henry McGee - McGee was in all the Benny Hill shows. In the "Astonished Heart", Barbara (Sian Phillips) and Leonara (Joanie) compare notes on men and fidelity. They would work together in three of these episodes. "Family Album" brings the family together, be it good or bad, after a death in the family. ...and we find ALL the family secrets. Could have done with less singing, but from the credits, it appears the master himself actually wrote some of the music. "Fumed Oak" shows a typical family squabbling over the breakfast table. (Interesting note - Joan Collins had been married to Anthony Newley, co-star of two of these episodes. ) In "Ways & Means", a couple must figure how how to pay the hotel bill before they get tossed out. "Still Life" shows us various meetings in the train station. Co Star Jane Asher (plays Laura Jesson), was a very close friend to the Beatles...see Wikipedia for some interesting details... Joan C. says the film "Brief Encounter" was based on this one. Every time John Alderton speaks, he mumbles in very low tones, so we have to crank up the volume. In "Shadow Play", a couple must figure out where they stand. Gets a little weird in the dream sequence... (Its also interesting that Aunt Martha is married to "George", like the Washingtons, or the next door neighbors in Dennis the Menace.) Directed by John Glenister, who directed three of the plays in this series.

OK, we've had the summary, now let's have a review. This is basically a showcase for Joan Collins, and it really depends on whether or not you can take nearly 4 hours of her (of course they could be watched separately). She certainly tries hard to play a variety of very different roles, even assuming a secondary part in some of the playlets. The material itself is a matter of taste, well-written yet facile, never more than scratching the surface. There is some humor, as well as some music in Coward's usual style, urbane lyrics and some pleasant tunes. The playlets are well and unassumingly directed. The supporting players are generally fine, including the wonderful Sian Phillips and John Nettles before Midsomer. One really sour note is the use of a laugh track in 3 of the playlets, most obvious in the Red Peppers sequence. On the whole, entertaining but unexceptional. I would recommend watching these separately, as 4 hours of Joan Collins is just too much. Anyway, it was for me.