Martin Shardlow – What Was Pebble Mill?

The Continental

Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider, for sharing these publicity photos of the 1987 comedy drama series, The Continental, by John Godber. The director was Martin Shardlow, and the producer, Chris Parr. It was the sequel to The Ritz, and followed the staff as they set up a new disco in Spain.

The comedy starred: Richard James Lewis, Richard Ridings, Andrew Livingstone, Paul Rider, Andrew Dunn, Frank Bruno, Martin Ronan, and Mark Addy.

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Mary Sanchez: ‘Yes that’s Richard Ridings (top photo). I was Chris Parr’s secretary and remember typing some of these scripts up! It was the first drama I ever went down to watch and it gave me the bug to work in Floor managing! Brilliant.’

The Continental TX Card

The Continental was a follow up to John Godber’s comedy drama, The Ritz. It was transmitted in 1987. It was directed by Martin Shardlow, with Chris Parr as the producer. The story followed the staff of The Ritz as they set up a new disco in Spain.

I think this drama was filmed in the Copthorne Hotel in Paradise Circus, Birmingham.

Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider for sharing this transmission card.

The Ritz – costume polaroids

Here are a couple of polaroids from costume designer, Janice Rider, which would have been taken for continuity reasons. They are from the comedy, drama series: The Ritz, by playwright John Godber. Martin Shardlow was the director and Chris Parr the producer. It was a six part series, set on consecutive nights in a newly acquired Northern disco, and transmitted weekly in spring 1987.

The Ritz – Publicity Photos

Publicity photos, probably taken by Willoughby Gullachsen, of The Ritz, the comedy drama written by John Godber, and adapted from his theatre piece, Bouncers.

The series was transmitted in 1987, it was produced by Chris Parr, and was co-directed by John Godber and Martin Shardlow.

Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider, for sharing the photos.

The Ritz publicity brochure

Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider for sharing this publicity brochure for The Ritz, the 1987 comedy drama series by John Godber, set in a Northern disco. The series was a television adaptation of the theatre play, Bouncers.

The series was directed by John Godber and Martin Shardlow, and produced by Chris Parr.

The series featured: Andrew Dunn, Andrew Livingston, Jacqueline Beatty, Julia Ford, Mark Addy, Martin Ronan, Paul Rider and Richard James Lewis.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Jeremy Gartland: ‘I only sat and watched ‘The Ritz’ a couple of weeks ago – fantastic! I was lucky enough to be invited to Pebble Mill to watch Episode 5 ‘Fancy Dress Night’ being filmed… I must try and dig out the photos we took during our trip.’

Jo Mainwaring: ‘I was the production secretary on this show! Thanks for finding the pics, Janice.’

Ruth Barretto: ‘I remember going into the canteen and seeing all the actors dressed up. The blonde guy in the pic was the Incredible Hulk!’

Terry Powell: ‘Ps big Mick is living round the corner from me such a small world. One of the best shows I worked on always have very fond memories it was ahead if its time it would be a huge hit now with the likes of Benidorm and Miranda out there.’

Janice Rider: ‘Well said Terry and look how well Andrew Dunn , Mark Addy , Rich Ridings and last but not least Tracie ‘Broadway ‘ Bennett have done since! Great fun show to design.’