Sarah Pia Anderson – What Was Pebble Mill?

This is History Gran – photo from John Greening

‘This is History Gran’ was written by Robert Holman and produced at Pebble Mill in 1986. It was set in the 1930’s and present day and starred Paul Jesson, Liz Bradley, Gina McKee, Martin Walker, Mark Rylance and Peter Howell.

Sarah Pia Anderson the director, Carol Parks the producer, Sue Bennett-Urwin 1st assistant director, Bill Hartley the production manager, John Greening the assistant floor manager. John Kenway was the director of photography.

The story involves Lord Edward Langbaurgh making a shocking discovery whilst walking in the grounds of his country home. The discover affects the Chapman family in a nearby town. Christopher Chapman decides to investigate.

Pity in History – photos by Willoughby Gullachsen

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

Pity in History was part of the 1985 ‘Summer Season’ of dramas, it went out on 4th July. It was produced at Pebble Mill by Chris Parr, the executive producer was Robin Midgley and Sarah Pia Anderson the director. The play was performed in Studio A.

The play by Howard Barker starred Norman Rodway, Anna Massey, Alan Rickman, Patrick Malahide and Ian McDiarmid.

Set in the Civil War, the story is about a sculptor working to finish a memorial to the Royalist years, as Cromwell’s men break down the surrounding cathedral walls.

The first photo has Alec Robson (TM1) on the left, setting lights and a back view of Keith Schofield with camera; the photo of the rehearsal featuring the crew includes: camera supervisor Dave Doogood, P.A. Bobbie Chapman, Dawn Robertson, cameraman Keith Schofield (crouched), Kevin Heffernan (design), Chris Parr (prod on left), George Allen (TM2) is in the centre with the dark sweater, on his right is cameraman Doug Smith.

John Greening comments: “Gareth Williams is b/g in white trousers. I was AFM and the rehearsals were at Five Ways in an empty office block. Actor in f/g is Roger Frost, husband of Pam Ferris. Howard Barker wrote the play as a vehicle for Ian McDiarmid – he was at the RSC at the time and I had to play his part during rehearsals when there was a matinee..”

Thanks to Dave Bushell, David Short and John Greening for adding to the information.

Pity in History rehearsalSave

‘This is History Gran’

This is History Gran TX Card

This is History Gran was produced by Chris Parr at Pebble Mill, and went out in 1986 on BBC 1. It was written by Robert Holman, directed by Sarah Pia Anderson; John Kenway was the director of photography.

The drama tells the story of Lord Edward Langbaurgh who makes a shocking discovery while taking a stroll in the grounds of his country home, which affects the Chapman family of a nearby town. Christopher Chapman decides to investigate.http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/407698

The film stars Elizabeth Bradley, David Calder, Matyelok Gibbs, Peter Howell, Paul Jesson, Gina McKee, Mark Rylance and Martin Walker.

Thanks to Maggie Humphries from Film Unit for looking after this photograph and the TX Card.

This is History Gran