Writing
David Mercer
Born — Died
1928-06-27 — 1980-08-08
Place of birth
Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, UK
Known for
Writing
Credits
20 titles
Known for
4.9Nora Helmer lives a quiet life with her husband, Torvald, in a small Norwegian town. While he works diligently at a bank, she looks after their children. But Torvald doesn't know that several years ago, when he was very ill and she was desperate for money, Nora forged a loan document and has been secretly working to pay the money back ever since. The arrival of her friend Kristine prompts Nora to re-evaluate her life and confront Torvald.
A Doll's House
1973
6.6On the eve of his 78th birthday, ailing, alcoholic writer Clive Langham spends a painful and sleepless night mentally composing and recomposing scenes for a novel in which characters based on his own family are shaped by his fantasies and memories, alongside his caustic commentary on their behaviour.
Providence
1977
7.2A young woman, Janice, is living with her restrictive and conservative parents, who lead a dull working-class life and consider their daughter to be “misbehaving” whenever she’s trying to find her own way in life.
Family Life
1971
NRAn unexpected force shatters the urbane calm of a Sunday afternoon tea party.
For Tea on Sunday
1978
NRJane, an English journalist goes to Israel to write on the Palestinian situation and meets and falls in love with an Israeli professor of English. As their love affair develops, they realize they have opposing views on Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
A Dinner of Herbs
1988
10.0Lord Fountain hates his illegitimate twin boys as he does not seem to be able to produce legitimate heirs.
And Did Those Feet ?
1965
Behind the camera
4.9Nora Helmer lives a quiet life with her husband, Torvald, in a small Norwegian town. While he works diligently at a bank, she looks after their children. But Torvald doesn't know that several years ago, when he was very ill and she was desperate for money, Nora forged a loan document and has been secretly working to pay the money back ever since. The arrival of her friend Kristine prompts Nora to re-evaluate her life and confront Torvald.
A Doll's House
1973
6.6On the eve of his 78th birthday, ailing, alcoholic writer Clive Langham spends a painful and sleepless night mentally composing and recomposing scenes for a novel in which characters based on his own family are shaped by his fantasies and memories, alongside his caustic commentary on their behaviour.
Providence
1977
7.2A young woman, Janice, is living with her restrictive and conservative parents, who lead a dull working-class life and consider their daughter to be “misbehaving” whenever she’s trying to find her own way in life.
Family Life
1971
NRAn unexpected force shatters the urbane calm of a Sunday afternoon tea party.
For Tea on Sunday
1978
NRJane, an English journalist goes to Israel to write on the Palestinian situation and meets and falls in love with an Israeli professor of English. As their love affair develops, they realize they have opposing views on Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
A Dinner of Herbs
1988
10.0Lord Fountain hates his illegitimate twin boys as he does not seem to be able to produce legitimate heirs.
And Did Those Feet ?
1965
5.7In a Prague shop, an assistant has been carrying on an affair with the dishonest, married manager. An emotionally repressed auditor with domestic problems of his own uncovers serious stock discrepancies. A test of loyalties and a questioning of values concludes in tragedy.
90° in the Shade
1965
Harry Watson has kept his feelings for his children to himself.
A Rod of Iron
1980
NRThe Countess lives in her East European palace, oblivious to the new regime that has moved in. After the war Volubin, a Marxist writer, is instructed to obtain from her the keys to her wine-cellar, which are needed for a celebration dinner. First shown in 1970, this play charts the transition of dictatorial power in the 20th century.
The Cellar and the Almond Tree
1970
6.3Morgan, an aggressive and self-admitted dreamer, a fantasist who uses his flights of fancy as refuge from external reality, where his unconventional behavior lands him in a divorce from his wife, Leonie, trouble with the police and, ultimately, incarceration in a lunatic asylum.
Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
1966
NRAhead of a screening of his latest film a director converses with a prostitute, whilst his female star and estranged wife talks to a writer, his brother. Intercut are scenes from the film, and the making of it.
An Afternoon at the Festival
1973
7.0TV play by David Mercer. First in a trilogy concerning Marxist novelist Robert Kelvin. The occasion is a dinner party, Kelvin is concerned with a summation of his life, addressed in his head to his lover, Emma.
On the Eve of Publication
1968
NRA man has a three-way conversation between himself, his inner thoughts and as a psychiatrist. Part of the BBC Thirty Minute Theatre strand.
You and Me and Him
1973
Two couples let tensions build between them in this 'Wednesday Play'.
Let's Murder Vivaldi
1968
NRAfter the death of novelist Robert Kelvin, his mistress Emma tries to adjust and reflects upon their relationship.
Emma's Time
1970
7.0Kate, a young girl under psychiatric examination, suffers from a lack of confidence, self-esteem and self-control – telling of the “bad Kate” who commits immoral acts. Could the hypocrisy, selfishness and weakness of those around her have led to this state of mind or can Kate simply be diagnosed and dismissed as a schizophrenic?
In Two Minds
1967
7.5A family gather together as their mother lies dying. Death brings conflicts into sharp focus - not least between brothers Edgar and Richard…
Where the Difference Begins
1961
NRDuring the closing days of the Second World War, a young Czechoslovakian woman, Blanka, is caught between ideologies of the Soviet regime. Part of BBC2 Play of the Week.
Shooting the Chandelier
1977
8.0Ellis Cripper has lost his money and his memory; in different ways he tries to make sense of his situation.
The Bankrupt
1972
NRAs the Nazis grow ever more powerful in Germany, Werner grows up in an aristocratic household, hating his domineering father and making enemies in high places.
The Parachute
1968
