Sophia and Constance, photo by Neil Wigley

Photo by Neil Wigley, no reproduction without permission

Photo by Neil Wigley, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophia and Constance was a six part BBC drama series hosted at Pebble Mill. It was transmitted in 1988.

Here is the BFI Database summary of episode one:

‘The first of a 6 episode serial based on Arnold Bennett’s novel “The Old Wives’ Tale’. Set in 1864 in the potteries town of Bursley. Constance, the older and quieter of two sisters, is content with life in the family shop. Younger sister Sophia outrages the family by deciding to become a schoolteacher.’ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/422055

The series featured, Catherine Cusack, Melissa Greenwood, Patricia Routledge, Alfred Burke, Nigel Bradshaw, Freda Dowie, and John Scott Martin.

The directors were Romey Allison and Hugh David, with John Harris the producer, and John Harris the Exec. John Harvey adapted the novel, with Simon Passmore the script editor.

Thanks to the BBC Drama Village for sharing the photo.

 

Sophia & Constance – Maggie Thomas’s photos

These photos were taken by Makeup Artist, Maggie Thomas, on location in France (Paris and Rouen), in the Black Country Museum in Dudley, and in Studio A at BBC Pebble Mill.  ‘Sophia & Constance’ was a 6 part period drama, transmitted by the BBC in 1988.  It was an adaptation of Arnold Bennett’s novel: ‘The Old Wives’ Tale’.  It is set in 1964 in the town of Bursley in the potteries.  It is the tale of 2 sisters: Sophia and Constance.  Constance is the older and quieter sister, and is content to live and work in the family’s draper’s shop, whilst Sophia is more adventurous and outrages the family by becoming a schoolteacher.  The series was directed by Allison Romey and David Hugh, and produced by John Harris.  The Executive Producer was Colin Rogers.  The cast included: Catherine Cusack, Melissa Greenwood, Patricia Routledge, Alfred Burke, Nigel Bradshaw, Freda Davies and John Scott Martin.