In this single drama, a teacher’s romantic past is summoned by the writing of a letter during a quiet school afternoon.
During the last period of the school day, biology teacher Chris (Adrian Dunbar) supervises an exam. As his students work in silence, he begins to compose a letter which triggers a series of memories. The drama cuts between the quiet classroom and Chris’s recollections of his intense, complicated relationships with two women, Jenn (Paula Hamilton) and Elizabeth (Eileen Pollock), examining the events that led to his present solitude.
A single play produced by BBC Northern Ireland, After You’ve Gone is constructed as a chamber piece, using a fractured timeline to examine the anatomy of a failed romance. The story unfolds almost entirely from the perspective of its protagonist, with the quiet, static scenes in the classroom acting as a present-day framing device. These moments provide a quiet, contemplative counterpoint to the more emotionally charged flashbacks, which trace the course of his relationships. The teleplay, written by Frederick Aicken, is a study in memory and regret, using its contained setting to create a potent sense of interiority.
Broadcast: BBC Two, 1 Episode, Wednesday, 9 May 1984
Written by: Frederick Aicken
Script Editor: Alison Roux
Producer: Chris Parr
Director: Garth Tucker
Main Cast: Adrian Dunbar (Chris), Walter McMonagle (Jimmy Davis), Paula Hamilton (Jenn), Ian McElhinney (Mike), Eileen Pollock (Elizabeth), Ryan Marshall (David)
