Writing for ITV's SATURDAY NIGHT THEATRE series, Dennis Potter introduced the notion that popular music expresses the yearning of the human spirit for a better world. A troubled young man, David Peters (Ian Holm), claims, "Once dreams were possible, that's what the popular songs told us." Rejecting rock music of the day, Peters is immersed in the tunes of Thirties crooner Al Bowlly (killed during the London blitz). He collects Bowlly memorabilia, publishes the Bowlly fan-club newsletter, and finds pleasure in lip-synching Bowlly records but his obsession with Bowlly masks certain darker events in his past.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Ian HolmDavid Peters | David Peters |
 Anthony BateDr. Chilton | Dr. Chilton |
 Deborah GrantMarie Holdsworth | Marie Holdsworth |
| RRobin WentworthHon. President | Hon. President |
| FFrederick PeisleyGerald | Gerald |
 Wally PatchOld Londoner | Old Londoner |
| AArthur LovegroveLandlord | Landlord |
| DDerek Woodward1st Medical Student | 1st Medical Student |
 John Flanagan2nd Medical Student | 2nd Medical Student |
| MMichael BurrellBarman | Barman |
| HHarry HutchinsonHospital Patient | Hospital Patient |
| KKathleen St JohnHospital Patient | Hospital Patient |
| BBart AllisonHospital Patient | Hospital Patient |
| BBeatrice GreekeHospital Patient | Hospital Patient |
| WWalter SwashNot listed | Not listed |
| DDaphne RiggsNot listed | Not listed |
| JJohnny WatsonNot listed | Not listed |
| UUrsula GranvilleNot listed | Not listed |