Airbase – photos from Janice Rider



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright resides with the original holder. These photos were probably taken by Willoughby Gullachsen.

‘Airbase’ was a ‘Play on One’, which was produced at Pebble Mill and transmitted in 1988.  David Attwood was the director, Roger Gregory and Keith Williams the producers.  Malcolm McKay wrote the script.  It was recorded in Studio A.

The drama was set over ‘four days in the life of Madeline Kohler, a young female American Air Force officer, who is posted to the all-male world of a U.S. airbase in Britain’ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/426153.

The play starred Anton Lesser, Clive Mantle, Catherine Russell, David Lansbury, Ricco Ross, Stevan Rimkus, Norman Beaton.

Thanks to Costume Designer, Janice Rider, for making the photos available.

Paul Vanezis left the following comment on the Pebble Mill Facebook page: ”Airbase’ was the first BBC production I attended whilst at film school. Roger Gregory organised it for me. The production had been started in the summer of 1987, but generally it was felt that the lighting wasn’t right and it was remounted between Christmas and New Year a few months later. It was a great experience; I was there for all 5 days of the recording and was able to walk round the set. It was a full size replica of an F1-11 bomber (although the tail section was slightly shorter so it would fit in Studio A). The other sets were built around it. I kept all the camera scripts and rehearsal scripts and made notes and drawings of the set-ups next to the action in the script. It was also early use of a Steadicam in a TV studio; the operator was Peter Cavaciuti who had worked on ‘Aliens’ the year before, as had actor Ricco Ross who also starred. Director David Attwood asked Peter if he could make his shot “more wobbly”, and Peter asked why he was using a steadicam for a wobbly shot!’

Anna of the Five Towns – photos by Willoughby Gullachsen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

This 1985, 4 part drama series was directed at Pebble Mill by Martyn Friend, and produced by Colin Rogers.  John Harvey wrote the adaptation of Arnold Bennett’s novel, set in the potteries in the 1890s.  Bob Chaplin was the lighting director and Michael Edwards the production designer.  Dave Baumber recorded sound (Dave is the one with the moustache and not a lot of hair in the close up photo). Sue Bennett-Urwin was the 1st A.D., and can be seen directing in the last black and white photo. Filming took place in the Isle of Man in 1984, amongst other places.  This is where the photo of the cast and crew was taken.  The black and white photos were taken at the Black Country Museum near Dudley.

The series starred Linsey Beauchamp as Anna Tellwright, Emrys James as Ephraim Tellwright, Peter Davison as Henry Mynors, Anton Lesser as Willie Price and Anna Cropper as Mrs Sutton.

I believe that Anna of the Five Towns was the first location drama at Pebble Mill to be recorded single camera on video tape.  Please add a comment if you can confirm this, or can identify people in the photo of the cast and crew.

Group picture – either side of Jim Clelland (2nd on the left) are Dick Bentley (OB Lighting) and Ray Sperry (Engineer). Joyce Hawkins (Costume), Sally Englebach (Design) and Lesley Perry (Make-up) in the centre amongst others. Paul Woolston (Senior Cameraman) on right and also on camera in the tracking shot.  From costume Terry Powell, Mark Ridley,  Sally Pearson who sadly is not with us any more,  Rachel Selby.  The chap with the bald head and the moustache is Dave Baumber (sound), next to him is editor Ivor Williams and Steve Neilsen.  Infront of Dave, I think is P.A. Sally Daniels.

(Thanks to Dave Bushell, Terry Powell, Stuart Gandy, Jane Clement, Annie Gumbley and Russell Parker for their help in identifying people).

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‘Airbase’ – photos by Willoughby Gullachsen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

‘Airbase’ was produced at Pebble Mill in 1988 by Keith Williams and Roger Gregory.  The script was written by Malcolm McKay and directed by David Attwood.  It was recorded in Studio A, and involved bringing a fighter plane into the studio.

The drama starred Anton Lesser, Clive Mantle, Catherine Russell, David Lansbury and Ricco Ross.  Catherine played Madeline Kohler, a young female American Air Force officer, who is posted to the all-male world of a U.S. airbase in Britain.  The drama follows four days in her life.

The BBC 1 drama raised considerable controversy with its unflattering portrayal of life on a U.S. airbase, particularly concerning drug use.  It even caused questions to be asked in Parliament by Lord Chalfont.

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