Kathryn Steventon ( nee AYERST ), former Costume Designer, died peacefully at home, August 22 2018, after a long illness. She was a wonderful friend and much loved ex- colleague to many at Pebble Mill. She started her career at Television Centre and moved to BBC Pebble Mill in the late 1970s. Kathryn was the costume designer on dramas including Dead Head and Rachel and the Roarettes.
Thanks to Janice Rider for sharing this sad news.
Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission.
Above is a press release for Rachel and the Roarettes, which was transmitted on 13th June 1985, at 22.10 on BBC2. It was a musical play, set in a pub, with the time period switching between the 18th Century and the present day. It was Josie Lawrence’s first TV appearance.
Below is the entry from the Radio Times, care of the BBC Genome project:
“A musical play by JUDE ALDERSON continues this
Summer Season of new drama.
A rollicking fantasy with songs and robberies, motorbikes and stagecoaches. A story of wild women in the 18th century and where they are now … !
Musicians RICHARD WOLFSON
ANDREW SAUNDERS
DAVID ADAMS. JULIA PALMER
SIANED JONES
Music by JUDE ALDERSON
Choreography by STUART HOPPS Sound IAN RAE
Lighting BOB CHAPLIN
Script editor CAROLINE OULTON Designer SALLY ENGELBACH Producer ROGER GREGORY Director ROB WALKER BBC Pebble Mill”
http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/bc24e3d464f74a429200613ab3f300da
Thanks to Roger Gregory for sharing the press release.
Copyright resides with the original holder, probably Willoughby Gullachsen.
‘Rachel and The Roarettes’ was a ‘Summer Season’ drama, produced at Pebble Mill and transmitted in 1985. It was written by Jude Alderson
Also starred Gary Oldman (his 1st TV and his part was entirely cut), and Josie Lawrence (her 1st TV). It was directed by Rob Walker, and produced by Roger Gregory. Carol Parks was the Production Associate and David Attwood the Production Manager. Phil Wilson was the camera supervisor, Roger Sutton the vision mixer, Jane Barton and Bobbie Chapman were the production assistants. Vivien Oldham was the make-up designer, Sally Engelbach the production designer and Kathryn Ayerst the costume designer and Tony Fisher the graphic designer.
The drama was recorded in Studio A at Pebble Mill.
Photo includes,L to R: James Grout, Deborah Poplett, Linda Rolan
‘Rachel and the Roarettes’ was a rock musical….lesbian bikers in the present, highway women in the 17th century, like you did in 1984!
Thanks to John Greening for much of the information and for making the photo available.