"Armchair Theatre" A Bit of a Lift (TV Episode 1973) Poster

(TV Series)

(1973)

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8/10
One of the best Armchairs
buchanansteve20 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Very relatable drama to any lonely hearts out there, a wedding invitation with a twist, also pays very much to have an excellent memory. Ann Beach is excellent in this.
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6/10
A Bit of a Lift
Prismark1014 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The actor Michael Caine once said the biggest issues that hotels have is getting rid of the stiffs in the morning. Prestigious hotels tend to be a magnet for those who want to commit suicide.

A Bit of a Lift is effectively another three hander.

Frank (Donald Churchill) has reached the end of his tether and plans to check into a hotel and top himself.

Alec (Ronald Fraser) is a randy solicitor who goes to a wedding and takes a shine to an attractive guest.

Penelope (Ann Beach) is actually grateful for the attention from Alec, she plays hard to get but finally succumbs to his charms and they book into a hotel for a quickie.

Unfortunately when Alec nips out from the room, he cannot find it as he is to tipsy. He ends up in Frank's room by mistake and they get chatting.

Frank decides to help out Alec by finding out the correct room number so Alec can have his moment of passion.

The play starts with uncertainty. When Frank is recording his bitter farewell message for his wife, you think this might be a tragedy.

However it develops an airy light comic touch thanks to Ronald Fraser's character. It is almost a farce with Alec always ending up in the wrong bedroom.

This play was also written by Donald Churchill. However there is something about the ending that would be troubling in the present day. I assumed it passed off without an issue when this was first broadcast. Effectively Frank does rape Penelope as he sneaks into her bed and has sex with her. It certainly did not sit right with me but it does highlight how mores change over the years.
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