6 November 1989 (1989-11-06) – 11 February 1991 (1991-02-11)
About Face is a British sitcom consisting of twelve unconnected half-hour episodes starring Maureen Lipman. Each episode featured a guest cast of familiar personalities. The first set of six installments was broadcast in November–December 1989 and the second set in January–February 1991.
Each episode has a stand-alone plot with Maureen Lipman playing a different character each time. She described the women as having "a certain emptiness in their lives".
Episodes
Series One (1989)
Title
Airdate
Overview
Searching for Señor Duende
6 November 1989
Maureen Lipman plays Carol, a South London telephonist who becomes obsessed by flamenco dancing, which brings to an end her relationship with boyfriend Trevor (Michael Gambon).
Gracie (Lipman), a Cypriot immigrant, is a cloakroom attendant a London club. But the celebrations to mark her quarter of a century there are altered by the arrival of Jessica, an American film star (Diana Weston). Also in the cast: Phyllida Law.
Mrs Worthington's Daughter
27 November 1989
Lipman is Patience, an American stage manager. She attends a first-night party that improves her morale.
Maureen Lipman is the sole cast member, as Wendy, The Bag Lady, who travels the streets of London in search of furniture she believes she lost to the Prime Minister thirty years ago. Writer Jack Rosenthal believed this to be one of his best works.
Series Two (1991)
Title
Airdate
Overview
Tourist Attraction
7 January 1991
Lipman is Louise, a tourist guide trying to finish work as soon as possible to meet her German boyfriend, who is only in town for one night. But she needs to persuade Ken, the coach driver played by Keith Barron, to drive faster. Also starred Carol Cleveland and Libby Morris.
This For The Half Darling
14 January 1991
Maureen Lipman plays Peggy, whose husband Guy prefers golf to his wife. Then Peggy takes up golf as well.
Requiem
21 January 1991
This time, Lipman plays Anne, a shop assistant and amateur opera singer, who wants her husband Keith to come and see her perform solo, but he wants to attend a Rotary function. Also starred Stephanie Cole.
Helen Firebrace (Lipman) is going through customs when cocaine is found in her possession. The animal rights campaigner is finally let through without the customs officer (Bernard Hill) having spotted the chimpanzee. Also starred Rory McGrath.
