1. - Daniel Massey, Star! 1968. The best Noel Coward around was not Stephens, nor Peter Cook, but The Master’s own godson.

2. - Alan Bates, Three Sisters, 1974. The   idea   was to keep   some National Theatre magic on record. "Something for the cinema," said Laurence Olivier, after the   "filmed plays"   of his Othello and   The Dance of Death.   Hence Bates, stepping in     as Vershinin, the Russian Army Colonel in love   with Masha alias, Joan   Plowright,   Lady Olivier.

3. - Len Cariou, A Little Night Music, 1977. Dropped after an afternoon's   rehearsals. Elizabeth Taylor did not approve of their chemistry. "Chemistry?" said Stephens. "Chemistry! We're actors not bloody pharmacists."