Prunella Scales – What Was Pebble Mill?

Remembering Prunella Scales – Janice Rider

No reproduction without permission

Actress Prunella Scales died on 27 October 2025. Costume designer, Janice Rider remembers working with her on Pebble Mill’s production, ‘Fair Game’, fondly. Here are her reminiscences:

‘Rest in peace Prunella Scales, what an honour it was to work with her back in 1993 on BBC Pebble Mill ‘s production of Fair Game , written by Stephen Bill (of ‘Nuts In May ‘ fame ) and directed by the late Alan Dossor, produced by Carol Parks, executive produced by Michael Wearing.

Prue was a delight to work with, surprising me immediately by asking for padding to give the character of eccentric fashion photographer Marjorie, a fuller figure. Between takes she would sit quietly doing her crochet and at the end of the shoot she generously gave me a bottle of champagne, uttering the immortal words; ‘Thank you so much, darling, for playing the role for me really!‘
I wasn’t quite sure how to take that but clearly I’d inspired her in some way! Bless you Prue for all that you gave to us all.’

Fair Game Costume Sketches

These sketches were drawn by costume designer Janice Rider, for the Pebble Mill drama: ‘Fair Game’, transmitted in 1993. The sketches are for costumes for ‘Marjorie’ played by Prunella Scales, and ‘Ellie’ played by Lena Headey. The drama was directed by Alan Dosser, with Carol Parks and Alan Dosser the producers and Michael Wearing the executive producer.

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Fair Game TX Card

Thanks to costume designer Janice Rider for making this TX card available.

‘Fair Game’ was a 1994 BBC 1 screenplay written by Stephen Bill, directed and co-produced by Alan Dosser along with Carol Parks. Michael Wearing was the executive producer. Rob Hinds was the designer, the film editor was John Stothart, and Steve Saunderson the camera man.

Here is the synopsis from the BFI database:

‘It is 1970, there is World Cup and General Election fever. Marco, a wealthy Italian has come to England to discover his true identity. Carl, a student is torn between canvassing for the Labour party, watching the World Cup or going on a walking holiday with his girlfriend Ellie. Their paths cross in Preston library and the three take an epic journey across the Pennines.’

http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/495778?view=synopsis

The drama starred: Lena Headey as Ellie, Julian Kerridge as Carl, Massimo Bellinzoni as Marco, Prunella Scales as Marjorie.

‘Fair Game’ – photos by Bev Dartnall

Photos by Bev Dartnall, no reproduction without permission.

Fair Game was a Pebble Mill drama transmitted in 1994. It was set recorded in Italy and Britain. The photos look like Florence. Michael Wearing was the executive producer, Alan Dosser the director, Carol Parks the producer, and Stephen Bill wrote the script.

The drama starred: Massimo Bellinzoni as Marco, Lena Headey as Ellie, Julian Kerridge as Carl, Prunella Scales as Marjorie and Anita Zagaria as Maria.

The BFI database describes the synopsis of the storyline:

'Fair Game'