Up Pompeii (S1, Ep5) (1970)

The Actors. There is great excitement when a travelling theatre group comes to Pompeii. Both Ludicrus Sextus and his wife Ammonia are fans of the lead stars, leading them to use Lurcio to try and sneak in secret messages to their idols. But things get very complicated when the lead actor becomes incapable of performing that night, leading to the troupe choosing the lurking Lurcio to take his part for tonight's performance. Starring Frankie Howerd, Max Adrian, Elizabeth Larner, Kerry Gardner, Jeanne Mockford, Willie Rushton, Olwen Griffiths, Bill Maynard, Audrey Nicholson, Douglas Ridley, plus Barbara Lindley, Joanna Ross, Sui Lin, Valerie Stanton, Jeannette Wild and Anita Richardson. Also keep your eyes peeled for Fabia Drake, who makes an appearance somewhere in this episode. Apparently she originally auditioned for a big role in this series (have no idea what) but was denied the role due to Frankie Howerd himself telling the producers he didn't want her in the show. Oo er missus, as you might say!