Screening: Dennis Potter, 'The Singing Detective' (1986)

Taking place as part of the public programmes for Hilary Lloyd Very High Frequency, this screening programme surveys key and rarely seen works by Dennis Potter.

The programme primarily focuses on Potter’s work for the BBC’s groundbreaking anthology drama series The Wednesday Play (1964–1970) and its successor Play for Today (1970–1984). Reflecting then-contemporary social and political contexts, these single-play formats became platforms for provocative storytelling that encompassed realism, satire and experimental drama. The series, which included Potter’s early semi-autobiographical works such as Stand Up, Nigel Barton (1965), helped launch his career, alongside directors such as Ken Loach and, later, Alan Clarke and Stephen Frears.

Two special marathon screenings showcase Dennis Potter’s most significant television serials. Pennies From Heaven (1978) marked Potter’s first major popular success and is recognised for transforming the possibilities of television drama. The Singing Detective (1986), widely regarded as his masterpiece, combines the themes and experimental structures of his earlier work to explore noir fantasy, childhood memory and musical interludes in a brilliant, hallucinatory narrative.

Potter’s readiness to engage with complex themes, including politics, class, illness, sexuality and religion, is a significant reminder of a time when a limited number of television channels vied for public attention and challenging content was broadcast to a mass audience.

The Singing Detective (1986)

Saturday 25–Sunday 26 October 2025, 11 am–6 pm

The Singing Detective stars Michael Gambon as Philip Marlow, a writer suffering from a debilitating skin condition who escapes into noir-styled fiction, music and memory to make sense of his life and overcome his illness, the root of which is believed to be psychological.

Mirroring Potter’s own struggle with illness and his upbringing in a coal-mining community, The Singing Detective follows the bedridden writer through memories and hallucinations as he relives his pulp thriller stories and takes on a detective alter-ego. Supporting performances include Patrick Malahide as Mark Binney and Janet Suzman as Marlow's ex-wife Nicola, alongside Alison Steadman, who later appears in Potter's final work, Karaoke. Fusing Potter’s key themes – childhood, memory, trauma and fantasy – the serial redefined television drama and showcased his peak as a writer of deeply personal, formally daring work.

Writer: Dennis Potter; Director: Jon Amiel; Producer: John Harris and Kenith Trodd.

This film has a total runtime of approximately 6.5 hours. Visitors are encouraged to come and go freely during the screening.

Content warning

Contains mature and potentially distressing material, including graphic depictions of physical illness, psychological trauma and mental illness. It features strong language, sexual content, references to childhood abuse, and scenes of violence and disturbing imagery. Some content includes misogynistic and racist language or attitudes reflective of the period, which may be offensive to contemporary viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. Age guidance: 15+.

Image credit

Dennis Potter, The Singing Detective, 1986. Film still. Copyright BBC Archive.