PLAY FOR TODAY -- Under the Hammer ( 14th Season )

[@Bongo-sm3mf]

The old darling who done the repair to the painting. What a character

[@LuciferSam2024]

As an apprentice to a former Master Italian fine art restorer. 'The restorer' in the show, the way how he was brief on the phone--then slammed the phone down. It gave me a real laugh! Just like how my former master would communicate on the telephone. The rest of the programme. Totally believable.

[@MrTang-qo9wm]

The genius here is James Maxwell, as Anderson. One of the few Americans (born and raised and education in Massachusetts) who made his way so convincingly in English theatre.

[@atthebijou8209]

I did not know that. it adds an extra edge to his skewering of English upper class.

[@haydock18]

but his dialog wasn't written in a very americanized way.

[@RUOKH]

So very 'BRIAN SEWELL' throughout. Snooty and charming in a 1980's sort of way. Brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable.

[@KrisHughes]

What a fabulous play - so well done. Oh, dear, I'm getting old - I long for these days.

[@TheMardi45]

Says it all about the Art world. Such brilliant acting. So well done. And sad.

[@ange9663]

Wonderful Michael Aldridge thanks for posting very enjoyable x

[@seltaeb3302]

If only we had dramas like this today, tho in the 70s Play for Today could be challenging shall we say.

[@lynn8389]

Loved this. such a world apart for both upstairs and downstairs. Lots of dignity and consideration displayed but not universally.

[@davidhewson1234]

Concorde is a delicious aeroplane !. Me god reckon JTs all around, what. Absolutely spiffing. Thanks all. Dave

[@billsykes11]

I enjoyed this immensely. I didn’t want it to end!😊

[@glenncambray626]

Very enjoyable. Well acted and nicely understated all the way through. Excellent.

[@Babyboffa2018]

Grouty, from Porridge!

[@keithnaylor1981]

Every picture tells a story - and this one was very interesting. Performances brilliant, especially from the elite at the top of the tree!

[@HookBeak_66]

There's three men in the gallery, they all have upper class accents, one announces(6:39) to his colleagues " I'm not an admirer of the hessian (" hes-sian "). Their hoity-toity chit-chat was amusing.

[@livethink1625]

"Play for Today" Under the Hammer (TV Episode 1984) 7.1 A previously unknown painting by Vincent Van Gogh, said to have come from Russia, comes up for sale at a London auction of impressionist paintings. The good order of the sale house is disturbed when someone challenges the picture's authenticity.

[@timjones9962]

Brilliant. I've tried watching yank rubbish, I just can't do it, I'm always happy and content with British drama and comedy.

[@jamesandolini1087]

That was brilliant. Thanks for uploading

[@lynn8389]

Soooo good.

[@Kiinell]

"Where would the world be if we always counted the cost? Don't you agree?"

[@jeremypearson6852]

I thought there was going to be a twist to the story in the end, given that “Grouty” was involved.

[@philiphema2678]

Loved this one! Interesting to work in a gallery, but the discovery of a fake must be a nightmare.

[@elipotter369]

Mostly, they just cover it up. No one wants to know, it's not in their interests - because people lose money and status and look stupid. There is a huge percentage of fakes apparently.

[@lucycrown212]

Also, Made You Look, about the fake Rothkos and Pollocks in NYC's Knoedler Gallery. On Ntflx. Great documentary.

[@newforestpixie5297]

So this kind of points to the fact that half of the business or folk whom feed off it aren’t about authenticity or even appreciation of the works but just a means of snobbery or effortless money making ? I mean “ effortless “ when compared to the 12 years of service old Les had given to that place & his remittance over those years were a drop in the ocean .

[@stepchicken3238]

We don't know what his "gift" was but, it would be offset against the cost of the repair, which was probably high. @@newforestpixie5297

[@haydock18]

What's wrong with fake paintings - from the point of view of the dead artist? Let the dealers and owners be the fools.

[@miles-thesleeper-monroe8466]

Wonderful. Thanks.

[@Bongo-sm3mf]

Great play . Very funny in parts. Poor Les I was expecting a twist at the end. But just goes to show you never know what you are going to buy at an Auction

[@atthebijou8209]

poor Les had them over a barrel, since he was in on the secret. he could've written his own ticket.

[@vanessahawarden9028]

Genius

[@octagon12011]

That was a very flimsy stepladder for such valuable paintings.

[@fancypelusa2863]

I thought the same thing.

[@rbr2023]

The chap with the moustache….wasn’t he in Ever Decreasing Circles?

[@flashtheoriginal]

Yes. Stanley Lebor. He played Howard

[@no.7593]

Clever and well written about the art world, its charlatanism.

[@roybarker5896]

🫠Absolutely ..spivs in a nice suit and a posh accent .

[@flashtheoriginal]

WHY was my contribution taken down? Why was that Executive Decision taken? Really offensive as I was totally supportive and grateful for the post

[@kimmccabe1422]

Cockney accent takes all my effort to understand 😊

[@CycolacFan]

Think he got off rather lightly there. I was expecting the painting to have split again or the paint to have smeared as they rehung it.

[@anthonyogrady1081]

oil takes much time to dry. Guess acrylic was the way topped with varnish.

[@anthonyogrady1081]

Was there not glass involved?

[@JohnDavis-ed5sg]

Quality

[@miles-thesleeper-monroe8466]

23:40 CO2 bs comes to mind

[@paralogical]

good play but expected more of a twist at the end

[@olikane530]

70s 80s TV uk 📺

[@MrWindermere123]

Oh dear, I was expecting a twist at the end in the style of Roald Dahl. Why couldn't Les pay the restorer to paint a copy overnight, put it in the sale and leg it with the real painting - who would report him for theft when the prestige of the auction house was at stake? As a comment on social class and the power of money, however, it's rather an anti-climax (but well acted).

[@AlunThomas-mp5qo]

He'd never be able to afford to pay the restorer who would thousands for copying a painting nor would he have the time to do it.

[@philiphema2678]

Would Lady Di hv worn that red outfit?

[@lindazarifis76]

Yes!

[@dadodydo]

Not that ugly dress.

[@dilly1863]

Its a copy of an outfit she DID wear early in her marriage.

[@anthonyogrady1081]

or pulled up in that middle of the road vehicle!

[@newforestpixie5297]

@@anthonyogrady1081 yes - the Russian crooks had a limo & Duchess gets literally dropped off in a Rover 😁😁

[@maccoll3644]

It was a shame what happened to the loyal employee.

[@opusv5]

Not fast-paced, but an interesting drama anyway.

[@chriswaring5565]

SEMOUR FROM LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE THE GENIAL HARRY GROUT FROM PORRIDGE THE ONE IN THE SUIT AND GREY HAIR LOOKS LIKE JIMMY SAVILLE GOD HELP EM!

[@stephenreeds3632]

Once upon a time the BBC used its money to give us programmes like this. Alas it seems that the proliferation of channels means now we get Ru Paul's Drag Race instead. And no, I'm not transphobic. As a country we are irrevocably dumped down. Once we had Pinter, Stoppard, Orton etc now Michael McIntyre.

[@veganandy152]

I couldn't agree more.

[@adagietto2523]

Funny and sad.

[@stephenreeds3632]

He should have blackmailed them....that's what they would have done. Such languid unconcerned for the lower classes. And their role? Selling paintings!

[@carolking6355]

Dreadfully boring

[@veganandy152]

Would you like fries with that?