Walking On My Hands – Fighting Back, excerpt

Fighting Back. Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(excerpt) from Walking On My Hands – Beth Porter Chapter 12, My Life in Comedy: Comedy in My Life

Fighting Back

“It wasn’t long after that that I was given the chance to train as a BBC TV Drama script editor, with a view to becoming a producer. I’ve already told you about the disastrous effect the gig had on my relationship with Kerry, but in career terms, it proved to be an amazing opportunity.

My first assignment was to take over on a mini-series starring rock star Hazel O’Connor called Fighting Back by Gareth Jones [who later became an ITV producer]. The previous script editor had departed back to London after a couple of years up in Birmingham away from her partner. In retrospect, I sure wasn’t paying attention to what similar fate might befall me.

But, having lost one script editor, Gareth was keen to keep me and we had some really excellent script conferences. My experiences with Barbara were proving invaluable in keeping an overview of the whole project, but I’d never before felt so intimately connected with a series of scripts which told a complete story over several episodes, and which had a major broadcaster’s commitment for production. I found Gareth dedicated, intelligent, and full of ideas that complemented my own. I tried to interfere as little as possible, making sure such elements as fact-checking were well under control, which were appreciated both by director Paul Seed and producer Chris Parr.

It was so interesting to return to Pebble Mill as part of a production rather than the actress I’d been some years before in The Deep Concern. For one thing, there’s a level of respect shared among a production team which is just not afforded to the actors, unless they’re starry names and that’s more out of irrational fear or awe. In any case I really liked it; it reminded me of the happiest stage experiences when everyone is working toward the same end.

As the BBC collectively knew, the more one spends making a success of a position, the greater the confidence. Soon I had no hesitation in having frank and open discussions with writers without scaring them off. I also learned that my own background, as varied within the industry, engendered a feeling from them of trust and a kind of camaraderie.

I’ve also talked about my part in helping to launch the Birmingham Film and Television Festival, getting to meet some industry professionals from spheres other than the Beeb. One particularly kind, knowledgeable and dedicated chap was Roger Shannon, whom I’m pleased to report I recently re-found on FaceBook. Together we gritted our teeth in the face of the provincial attitudes we met from various jobs-worths on the City Council.

I don’t know what it is, but, even though I’ve now called the UK home for nearly 50 years, the default position of the Brits when confronted by a challenge tends to be Let’s wait and see. Let’s write a report. Let’s figure how to get out of it. While Americans almost knock you over with their enthusiastic Can Do! I just wish they’d each borrow a bit from the other.

In any case, those Birmingham burghers, try as they might, couldn’t stop the Festival from being hailed as a huge success……….”

 

Thanks to the script editor of the drama, Beth Porter, for sharing this excerpt.

Beth Porter’s (long and amusing) autobiography Walking on my Hands, is available for a couple of pounds on Kindle, on the link below. Chapter 12 includes Beth’s adventures with the BBC.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-My-Hands-responsibility-Streisand-ebook/dp/B01DUWNSRQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1460027101&sr=8-3&keywords=kindle+Beth+Porter

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Fighting Back – Radio Times

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

fighting-back-radio-times-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fighting Back, was a 5 part drama on BBC1, transmitted in 1986, starring Hazel O’Connor, as Viv. It featured on the front of the Radio Times, as well as a feature inside.

Here is the entry from the Radio Times, from the BBC Genome project:

“Fighting Back by GARETH JONES
The first of a five-part serial based on an idea by VICTORIA HINE
Viv Sharpe hurtles down the motorway, kids in tow, towards the Bristol she used to call home. Not only has
Bristol changed, but Viv finds no one wants to know her and there’s nowhere to go. Is this the start of Viv the vagrant? Or can she keep fighting back?
Incidental music PAUL JONES, Script editor BETH PORTER, Lighting DICK BENTLEY, Designer ROB HINDS, Producer CHRIS PARR, Director PAUL SEED. BBC Pebble Mill”

http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d3665caef0db4a94a441b93945661e10

Thanks to Beth Porter, who was the script editor, for sharing the stills.

Beth Porter’s (long and amusing) autobiography Walking on my Hands, is available for a couple of pounds on Kindle, on the link below. Chapter 12 includes Beth’s adventures with the BBC.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-My-Hands-responsibility-Streisand-ebook/dp/B01DUWNSRQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1460027101&sr=8-3&keywords=kindle+Beth+Porter

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

Jane Green: ‘This was the first thing I ever worked on – as a work experience floor assistant with Gareth Williams I think. I had to look after Hazel. Can’t print what she did here !!! But goodness me. What memories. Feb 1986.’

John Greening: ‘I was assistant floor manager…’

Susan Astle: ‘I was the make up designer on it, goodness so long ago! And before Derek Thompson became so famous!’

Les Podraza: ‘I think the filming was in Bristol for a month. I was on the crew. Fab times!!!’

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‘Fighting Back’ – photo from John Greening

Copyright resides with the original holder, probably Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

‘Fighting Back’, was a five part Pebble Mill drama, transmitted in 1986, starring Hazel O’Connor.  It was produced by Chris Parr, directed by Paul Seed, written by Gareth Jones and filmed in Bristol.  It was about a mother fighting to keep her children. It also started Derek Thompson (before Casualty).

The second photo features (left to right): ?, John Greening (AFM), and Alf Mayall (props).

Thanks to John Greening for making the photo available.

‘Fighting Back’

Fighting Back

This photo of the 1986 drama serial ‘Fighting Back’ was given by Maggie Humphries (Film Unit), although I don’t know who the photographer is.  No reproduction without permission.

The serial was written by Gareth Jones, produced by Chris Parr and directed by Paul Seed.  It follows the story of Viv Sharpe who leaves her drunken husband in Liverpool, with her two children, and returns to her native Bristol.  She finds out that her mother has died and no one wants to help her.  Her children end up being taken into Care, and Viv ends up in s squat, before emerging as a street leader.  The drama stars Hazel O’Connor, Derek Thompson, Malcolm Frederick, Cheryl Maiker and Tony Carney.

Please add a comment if you can add more information.