Wicked Women

A musical version of the life of the 17th Century English radical politician, John Wilkes, who campaigned for the right for voters to determine their representatives, not the House of Commons.

Maggie Hobson (Patricia Routledge) decides to marry Willie Mossop (Michael Caine), the gifted but underpaid bootmaker in her father's shop. Despite Willie's objections, they marry and set up for themselves and, within just one year, take almost all of Henry Hobson's trade. Hobson (John Barrie), a heavy drinker, is told by his doctor that one of his daughters must return home to look after him but they all refuse apart from Maggie who, seeing her chance, agrees to help but on one condition: Willie is to take over the business, with Hobson relegated to the position of a sleeping partner with no say in the running of the shop.

This spin-off from The Odd Man (1962) starred William Mervyn as the acerbic Inspector Rose, who, alongside the soft-hearted pensive Det. Sgt. Swift (Keith Barron), are joined by Anthony (John Carson) and Alice Brand (June Toblin), a barrister and his journalist wife, though not for long. By the second season, the Brands and Swift departed, leaving the calm, cold Rose in prime position, supported by newcomers DS Hunter (Anthony Ainley), his girlfriend Claire (Veronica Strong), and her boozy reporter friend Fred Blaine (John Stratton).