Category: Drama

The Flying Swan

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Flying Swan was transmitted on 15th May 1965. It was produced at the Gosta Green Studios in Birmingham. Thanks to costume designer, Joyce Hawkins, for sharing the photos.

Here is the cast and list:
Theme music: Ron Grainer
Story editor: John Barber
Designer: Neil Parkinson
Producer: Harold Clayton
Director: Michael Ferguson
Robert Sterling: Robin Hawdon
Carol: Julia Lockwood
Prue: Wendy Hall
Mollie: Margaret Lockwood
Waring: Richard Coe
Alexander Curtis: William Mervyn
George: John Boyd-Brent
Jean Denning: Kay Patrick
Waitress: Paula Edwards
Head waiter: John Dawson
Maisie: Nerys Hughes
Dwight Cooper: Hugh McDermott
Mr. Bower: John Bailey
Roy Curtis: John Brooking
Mary Curtis: Sally Lahee
David Curtis: Simon Ward
Fred Potter: Tom Watson
Surveyor: Richard Jacques
Mr. Addison: John Flint

Great Expectations – Soldiers in the Blacksmiths

Photo by Albert Sheard, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soldiers in the blacksmiths, Great Expectations, 1981. The set was created in Studio A of Pebble Mill.

The following comment was added to the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Camilla Fisher: ‘Tony Fisher worked on this production and also took photos. A few years later our daughter told her teacher that her daddy had been at the battle of Waterloo. She was disbelieved. So to prove her point she took the photos into to school.’

Dear Octopus 1959

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Octopus was transmitted on BBC television on 10th January 1960. It was produced at Gosta Green in Birmingham. The drama is set at a reunion of the Randoph family.

Joyce Hawkins worked on the costumes for the drama. Thanks to her for sharing this publicity photograph of Michael Denison, from the production.

Chloe Gibson was the director, and the play was written by Dodie Smith.

Michael Denison played Nicholas Randolph and Gwen Ffrangcon Davies played Dora Randolph.

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

Colin Pierpoint: I think I do remember it. Each of the characters was a bit weird in some way or other. Now I think of it the son ends up behaving like a baby at the end, with the parents encouraged by this, even though he is about 40. It was so way out, I thought it worthy of a Pebble Mill drama!’

Mary Sanchez: ‘I worked with Michael Denison and Dulcie Gray on Howard’s Way too- lovely almost regal like couple! They didn’t mind being driven around locations in my massive mini bus and were always very appreciative!! Climbing in and out …They invited me to their house in Amersham for tea, I never did go but they were very sweet indeed!’

Jane Green: ‘Ah! Michael was married to Dulcie Gray who played Kate Harvey in Howards Way. When we were filming near Southampton they gave me a lift back to my hotel in their car – which he proudly told me he’d bought off Princess Diana’s dad.(Dulcie was friends with the Queen Mum and used to go to Clarence House a lot for tea) The Denisons were a lovely, giggly, fun couple. Photo is of AFM Alison Symington and me on location standing infront of ‘Jan Howard’s’ car. About 1986.’

Tribute to Bev Dartnall from Christine Wheeldon

“My dear school friend, Beverley, sadly lost her fight with cancer 5 years ago. She was my best friend in the 6th form and we spent many fun and happy hours together in the instrumental ensemble for the school plays and music productions, her on the clarinet and me on the flute. R.I.P. Bev xx”
(We were 16 on this photo)

Bev worked at Pebble Mill for many years, most of it in Drama. Before she left the BBC she was the series producer of the continuing drama, Doctors.

 

Club Havana screening 11th Feb 2019

Club Havana screen grab. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Screening on Monday 11 Feb, 18.00 NFT2

Club Havana (BBC2 1975, Second City Firsts, Dir Pam Brighton, with Don Warrington, Mona Hammond, Julie Walters, Alfred Fagon. 35mins)
After twelve years apart, Mrs Jordan’s son (Warrington) arrives in Birmingham from Jamaica. Writer Barry Reckord returns to the theme of an inter-racial relationship, first explored in You in Your Small Corner, which causes conflict within a Jamaican family.

Introduction by season co-curator Lez Cooke, producer Tara Prem, script editor Peter Ansorge and actor Don Warrington (work permitting).

Here is the link to the ‘Forgotten Drama’ project website for more details:
https://forgottentelevisiondrama.wordpress.com/2019/01/10/forgotten-black-tv-drama-season-at-bfi-southbank-february-2019/