A self-destructive actor is haunted by his personal and professional failures, particularly a promise made to a woman he once loved.
Gunge (Anthony Hopkins) is an alcoholic actor whose career is in ruins. Living in a state of self-imposed exile, he is tormented by memories of his past, specifically a promise he made in the town of Arcata to a young woman named Laura (Kate Nelligan). The arrival of his old friend Tony (John Fraser) forces Gunge to confront the destructive behaviour that led to his downfall and the breaking of his solemn vow. The play follows his psychological struggle as he relives the moments of hope and subsequent failure that define his life.
David Mercer’s teleplay is a sharp and unforgiving study of non-communication. The drama is constructed not around external events but around the internal landscape of its protagonist; a man trapped by guilt and regret. For its lead actor, Anthony Hopkins, the role of a self-sabotaging alcoholic was an unsettling reflection of his own anxieties at the time. His performance gives the play its ferocious, melancholic power. Produced by Yorkshire Television, the production is a strong, character-driven piece, typical of the era’s commitment to using the single play format for intense psychological portraits.
Broadcast: ITV – Yorkshire, 1 Episode, 22 September 1974
Written by: David Mercer
Director: David Cunliffe
Executive Producer: Peter Willes
Designer: Natasha Kroll
Main Cast: Anthony Hopkins (Gunge), Kate Nelligan (Laura), John Fraser (Tony)
