Trashman Tony, Carol
Veronica, Eric, Lisa
Episode 5
Episode 2, Gorgeous Gary
Copyright Janice Rider, no reproduction without permission.
Costume sketches for the 1987 comedy drama series, The Ritz, written by John Godber. The series was an adaptation of Godber’s theatre production: Bouncers, set in a Northern disco.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
This Mail on Sunday article from December 1988 previews Pebble Mill’s The Rainbow, a three part adaptation of the D. H. Lawrence’s novel. The drama was produced by Chris Parr, directed by Stuart Burge, with the screenplay adapted by Anne Devlin, Chris’s wife.
The serial starred Imogen Stubbs, Martin Wenner and Kate Buffery.
Thanks to Willoughby Gullachsen (Gus), for sharing the cutting.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:
Jo Mainwaring: ‘This was the first thing I remember being in production when I arrived in TV Drama – happy days.’
Terry Powell: ‘I looked after the male cast.’
John Greening: ‘And I was the location manager.’
Vanessa Jackson: ‘And I was the Producer’s Secretary!’
Dawn Trotman: ‘John Rosser cut it . I think Andy Netley was the assistant?’
Neil Roberts: ‘I synched up all the rushes! My first job at Pebble Mill.’
Copyright resides with the original holders, no reproduction without permission.
Here is the script front page, and cast information for the 1990, ‘Screen One’ drama: Survival of the Fittest.
Here is the synopsis from the BFI Film and TV Database:
‘Dark comedy that looks at what happens when a fiercely-independent 80-year-old widow becomes too frail to live alone. Molly Cowper is dettermined to stay in her own home, even though she has recently had a mild heart attack. Not wanting to be alone at night, she makes elaborate plans to ensure that neighbours will sleep in her house. Supervised by her long-suffering son Geoffrey an agreement is drawn up so that Chris Trinder and Eileen Blackett will stay there at agreed times. Her arrangements begin to fall apart however, when Chris dies of a heart attack adn her dog is run over. Although Geoffrey tries to sort things out Molly still tries to enforce her wishes, riding roughshod over all of them with devastating consequences.’ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/446261?view=synopsis
The script was written by Julian Mitchell, Martyn Friend was the director and Carol Parks the producer.
The drama starred Jean Anderson as Molly Cowper, Timothy West as Geoffrey Cowper, Nerys Hughes as Betty Trinder, Timothy Davies as Chris Tinder, Elizabeth Spriggs as Eileen Blackett, Ben Porter as the young Chris Tinder, Joanna Brookes as June Trinder, Andrew Groves as Richard Blackett, Steven Sherwood as Mr Towse, Doc O’Brien as the taxi driver.
Thanks to Willoughby Gullachsen (Gus) for keeping the pages safe all this time.
The following comments were added on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:
Terry Powell: ‘Again another show I worked on really enjoyed it can’t believe how menu shows a year we did now only really work on 2 or 3 a year. As home life is now so important.’
Annie Toy: ‘Goodness, that brings back memories. I used to catalogue all Gus’s pictures after they’d been up on the board on the downstairs corridor. They were brilliant.’
Victoria Trow: ‘Andy Netley won a Bafta last year.’
John Greening: ‘Brilliant -especially as I’m currently directing Tim West on EastEnders!’
Steve Saunderson: ‘Gus, what a talented artist, I try day by day to achieve great images but great images just poured out of his camera. Not a bad line-up is it?…and yes John a great cast including Timothy West…the last time I bumped into Dir. Martyn Friend, I was on a massive night shoot (lots of lights and sparks) for Midsomer Murders and he passed by and assured the producers that they were in very good hands, v. kind of him.’
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider, for sharing this transmission card for the 1987, 6 part comedy series – The Ritz, set in a Northern disco.
The series was written by John Godber, and was based on his theatre play, Bouncers.
Martin Shardlow was the director, Chris Parr the producer. The series featured Richard James Lewis, Paul Rider, Andre Dunn, Andrew Livingstone and Richard Ridings.
The series was well received, and a sequel: The Continental, followed.
The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:
Dawn Hudson: ‘I remember Robin Midgley Asking me to read the script I was really nervous but I laughed and thought it was great. However when I watched it I was disappointed.’
Mary Sanchez: ‘I was secretary to Chris Parr at the time and remember typing up these scripts (yes on a typewriter – before computers!) It was shot in Liberty’s nightclub on the Hagley Road . It had a great cast – a real laugh , starring Mark Addy who’s a big name now!’
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
These publicity photos are from the 1989, 5 part, Pebble Mill drama series, Shalom Salaam. The drama tells the interconnected stories of a Jewish and a Muslim family, and their children’s interracial romance.
The director and script writer was Gareth Jones, with Chris Parr the producer.
The series starred Zia Mohyeddin, Charlotte Cornwell, John Cater, Buki Armstron, Mamta Kaash.
Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider for sharing the photos.
The following common was posted by Janice Rider on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page: ‘Ayub Khan Din – top right behind Zia Moyeddhin went on to write East is East and Jimmi Harkishin ( top next to Ayub ) is of course a regular in Corrie.’