Cream in My Coffee
| Cream in My Coffee | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Dennis Potter |
| Directed by | Gavin Millar |
| Starring |
Lionel Jeffries Peggy Ashcroft Peter Chelsom Shelagh McLeod Martin Shaw Faith Brook |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) |
Kenith Trodd Tony Wharmby |
| Running time | 82 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Original release | 2 November 1980 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Rain on the Roof (1980) |
| Followed by | Tender is the Night (1985) |
Cream in My Coffee is a television drama by Dennis Potter, broadcast on ITV on 2 November 1980 as the last in a loosely connected trilogy of plays exploring language and betrayal. A juxtaposition between youth and old age, the play combines a non-linear narrative with the use of popular music to heighten dramatic tension and strongly anticipated The Singing Detective (1986). Cream in My Coffee was awarded the Prix Italia for best drama in 1981 and Peggy Ashcroft gained a BAFTA Best Actress award in 1981. The play's title is taken from the popular song "You're the Cream in My Coffee", from the 1929 Broadway musical Hold Everything!
In the summer of 1934, young lovers Bernard and Jean head to the five star Grand Hotel in Eastbourne for a dirty weekend. Bernard comes from an affluent middle-class family while Jean works at the local post office; they intend to be married within a matter of months, much to the annoyance of Bernard's domineering mother.
During their stay the couple make the acquaintance of the resident dance band singer Jack Butcher, who takes a particular liking to Jean. When Bernard receives word that his father has died he returns home immediately to be at his mother's side, leaving Jean alone at the hotel. Hurt by Bernard's abandonment, Jean allows herself to be seduced by the predatory Butcher. Despite Bernard's mother's objections to her son marrying a shop girl, Bernard returns to the hotel and marries Jean soon after.
In the summer of 1980, the elderly Bernard and Jean return to the hotel to rekindle the spark in their marriage. Bernard's earlier class-driven condescension towards Jean has turned to cruelty, constantly examining and cross-examining every comment she makes; Jean's earlier naivety and impetuousness have transformed into resignation and tolerance, despite her husband's maliciousness. The hotel has also changed since the couple last stayed there: the orchestra who once played to the residents as they took their afternoon tea has been replaced by a man on an electronic keyboard, and the ballroom holds discos rather than dances.
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