The BBC TV drama series, Play for Today is 50 years old this year.

In celebration, Professor John Hill from the Department of Media Arts and Co-Director of the Centre for the History of Television, Culture and Production at Royal Holloway, University of London, along with Professor John Wyver from the University of Westminster, are hosting a free online conference on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October 2020.

Play for Today constitutes one of the most important series of British television drama. Beginning on BBC 1 on Thursday 15 October 1970, it continued until 1984. Running to over 300 individual plays and regularly commanding audiences of several millions. Launched as a successor to The Wednesday Play, the series won a reputation for social commitment, artistic experiment and contemporary relevance that attracted both critical acclaim and political controversy.

To mark the 50^th anniversary, Play for Today at 50, will bring together a mix of television professionals and scholars to discuss the history of the series, its cultural legacy and the individual plays that were produced.

Speakers will include producers, directors, writers and researchers, including, Peter Ansorge, Richard Eyre, Piers Haggard, Margaret Matheson, Tara Prem and Ken Trodd. Vicky Ball, John Cook, Katie Crosson, Simon Farquhar, Eleni Liarou, Tom May and Jonny Murray.

Register here to attend the free online conference at 18.30-20.00 on Wednesday 14 October and 09.30-17.30 on Thursday 15 October.