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Brass (TV Series)
''Brass'' is a British television comedy drama, made by Granada Television for ITV and eventually Channel 4. "Brass" is northern English slang for "money" as well as for effrontery. The series was set primarily in Utterley, a fictional Lancashire mining town in the 1930s, ''Brass'' satirized working-class period dramas of the 1970s, most significantly ''When the Boat Comes In'', and also the 1977 Granada TV dramatisation of Dickens' '' Hard Times'', which also starred Timothy West. Unusually for ITV comedies of the time, ''Brass'' eschewed a laugh track and used a dry sense of humour based in part on convoluted wordplay and subtle commentary on popular culture. Story and characters The series, created by John Stevenson and Julian Roach, was about two feuding families—the wealthy Hardacres and the working-class Fairchilds—who lived in a small terraced house rented from the Hardacre empire. The Hardacre family was headed by the ruthless self-made businessman Bradley Hardacre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Comedy Drama
Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc.) are handled with realism and subtlety, while preserving a humorous tenor. The term "dramedy" began to be used in the television industry in the 1980s. Modern television comedy dramas tend to have more humour integrated into the story than the comic relief common in drama series, but usually contain a lower joke rate than sitcom, sitcoms. History In Theatre of ancient Greece, Greek theatre, plays were considered comedies or tragedies (i.e. drama): the former being light stories with a happy ending, and the latter serious stories with a sad ending. This concept even influenced Theatre of ancient Rome, Roman theatre and theatre of the Hellenistic period. Theatre of that era is thought to have long-lasting infl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and Social criticism, social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read today. Born in Portsmouth, Dickens left school at age 12 to work in a boot-blacking factory when his father John Dickens, John was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. After three years, he returned to school before beginning his literary career as a journalist. Dickens edited a weekly journal for 20 years; wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and nonfiction articles; lectured and performed Penny reading, readings extensively; was a tireless letter writer; and campaigned vigor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geoffrey Hutchings
Geoffrey Hutchings (8 June 1939 – 1 July 2010) was an English stage, film and television actor. Early life and career Hutchings was born in Dorchester, Dorset, England. After attending Hardye's School, he studied French and Physical Education at the University of Birmingham before attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and later joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1968. Career Stage With the RSC from 1968 until the 1980s Hutchings played many roles in Shakespeare, including Launce, Octavius Caesar and Pandar. He played Bosola in the 1971 RSC production of John Webster's ''The Duchess of Malfi''. Hutchings made his name particularly in Shakespeare's comic roles, including Dromio of Syracuse, Bottom, Feste, Lavache, Autolycus and Doctor Caius. Hutchings' singing voice often featured in his comic roles, with his appearance in 1982 as Lady Dodo in the musical ''Poppy'' winning a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance. In 1998, he played '' Carry On'' a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anthony Smee
Anthony Smee (22 November 1949), also known as Tony Smee, is an English theatre producer, writer, and actor who has worked in radio, theatre, television, and film since 1972. Background Education Smee trained at the Rose Bruford College. Career Theatre Mr Maugham at Home (2010–2014) Partial filmography *''Return of the Jedi'' (1983) - Imperial Bunker Commander (uncredited) *''The English Patient'' (1996) - Beach Interrogation Officer *'' Hilary and Jackie'' (1998) - BBC Nabob *'' Parting Shots'' (1998) - George *'' You're the Stranger Here'' (2009) - Bruno Partial television *''Colditz'' (1974) - Captain Able *''Z-Cars'' (1977) - Mick *'' Secret Army'' (1977) - Vidler *''Crown Court'' (1978) - Ben Hare *'' The Sweeney'' (1978) - Army Lt *'' House of Caradus'' (7 episodes, 1979) - Lionel Caradus *''Coronation Street'' (1981) - John Ridley *'' Wet Job'' (1981) - Thorne *'' Rentaghost 1982'' -Policeman *''Miss Marple'' "The Body in the Library" (1984) - Basil Blake *'' H ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shaun Scott (actor)
Shaun Scott (born 1954) is a British television actor. He was educated at Reed's School, Cobham, Surrey. He appeared in the popular long-running series of ''The Bill'' where he played DI Chris Deakin (he previously played a villain in series 6 episode 92, series 7 episode 34, series 8 episode 83, as well as series 9 episode 13). He also appeared as deputy lock keeper Tom Pike in the 1989 BBC TV comedy '' The River'' with David Essex. He also played Harchester United manager Patrick Doyle in Sky One's football drama '' Dream Team'' and appeared as a villainous regular in the Scottish Gaelic soap opera '' Machair''. Scott also played Jack Fairchild in the comedy series ''Brass''. He also appeared as a fresh-faced lad of 19 taken in by the Bourne family as handy man after being bound over for stealing a bicycle in the ATV daytime drama " The Cedar Tree" (1976–77). His theatre credits include, ''Crazy for You'', Prince Edward Theatre; ''Heartbreak House'', Haymarket Theatr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dr Finlay's Casebook
''Dr. Finlay's Casebook'' is a television drama series that was produced and broadcast by the BBC from 1962 until 1971. Based on A. J. Cronin's 1935 novella ''Country Doctor'', the storylines centred on a general medical practice in the fictional Scottish town of Tannochbrae during the late 1920s. Cronin was the primary writer for the show between 1962 and 1964. Characters The main characters were Dr. Finlay, the junior partner in the practice, played by Bill Simpson, Dr. Cameron, the craggy senior partner, played by Andrew Cruickshank and Janet, their unflappable housekeeper and receptionist at Arden House, played by Barbara Mullen. Other recurrent characters included Dr. Snoddie, Finlay's crusty detractor and Janet's admirer, played by Eric Woodburn and gossipy Mistress Niven (the district nurse whose formal title was mistress midwife), played by Effie Morrison. Cast * Bill Simpson as Dr. Alan Finlay * Andrew Cruickshank as Dr. Angus Cameron * Barbara Mullen as Janet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Workhouse
In Britain and Ireland, a workhouse (, lit. "poor-house") was a total institution where those unable to support themselves financially were offered accommodation and employment. In Scotland, they were usually known as Scottish poorhouse, poorhouses. The earliest known use of the term ''workhouse'' is from 1631, in an account by the mayor of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Abingdon reporting that "we have erected within our borough a workhouse to set poorer people to work". The origins of the workhouse can be traced to the Statute of Cambridge 1388, which attempted to address the labour shortages following the Black Death in England by restricting the movement of labourers, and ultimately led to the state becoming responsible for the support of the poor. However, mass unemployment following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, the introduction of new technology to replace agricultural workers in particular, and a series of bad harvests, meant that by the early 1830s the established sy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bowls
Bowls, also known as lawn bowls or lawn bowling, is a sport in which players try to roll their ball (called a bowl) closest to a smaller ball (known as a "jack" or sometimes a "kitty"). The bowls are shaped (biased), so that they follow a curved path when being rolled. The game is played either in teams or one against one. The game was first played in the 13th century. The game is played on grass, although other surfaces are sometimes used. Matches are held either until one player gets to a score, or when a number of ''ends'' are played. The game is mostly played on a bowling green, which can vary by the type of bowls being played. Whilst the game is often played outdoors, there are indoor bowling venues, and can also be played on rollable carpets. For outdoor games, this is usually on grass; however, it can also be played on cotula in New Zealand. History Bowls is a variant of the ''boules'' games (Italian: ''bocce''), which, in their general form, are of ancient or prehistor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brideshead Revisited
''Brideshead Revisited: The Sacred & Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder'' is a novel by the English writer Evelyn Waugh, first published in 1945. It follows, from the 1920s to the early 1940s, the life and romances of Charles Ryder, especially his friendship with the Flytes, a family of wealthy English Catholics who live in a palatial mansion, Brideshead Castle. Ryder has relationships with two of the Flytes: Lord Sebastian and Lady Julia. The novel explores themes including Catholicism and nostalgia for the age of English aristocracy. A well-received television adaptation of the novel was produced in an 11-part miniseries by Granada Television in 1981. In 2008, it was adapted as a film. Plot The novel is divided into three parts, framed by a prologue and epilogue. ''Prologue'' The prologue takes place during the final years of the Second World War. Charles Ryder and his battalion are sent to a country estate called Brideshead, which prompts his recollections of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Socialist
Socialism is an economic ideology, economic and political philosophy encompassing diverse Economic system, economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership. It describes the Economic ideology, economic, Political philosophy, political, and Social theory, social theories and Political movement, movements associated with the implementation of such systems. Social ownership can take various forms, including State ownership, public, Community ownership, community, Collective ownership, collective, cooperative, or Employee stock ownership, employee.: "Just as private ownership defines capitalism, social ownership defines socialism. The essential characteristic of socialism in theory is that it destroys social hierarchies, and therefore leads to a politically and economically egalitarian society. Two closely related consequences follow. First, every individual is entitled to an equal ownership share that earns an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thatcherism
Thatcherism is a form of British conservative ideology named after Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher that relates to not just her political platform and particular policies but also her personal character and style of management while in office. Proponents of Thatcherism are referred to as Thatcherites. The term has been used to describe the principles of the Premiership of Margaret Thatcher, British government under Thatcher from the 1979 United Kingdom general election, 1979 general election to 1990 Conservative Party leadership election, her resignation in 1990. In international terms, Thatcherites have been described as a part of the general Social movement, socio-economic movement known as neoliberalism, with different countries besides the United Kingdom (such as the United States) sharing similar policies around expansionary capitalism. Thatcherism represents a systematic, decisive rejection and reversal of the post-war consensus insi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Terraced House
A terrace, terraced house ( UK), or townhouse ( US) is a type of medium-density housing which first started in 16th century Europe with a row of joined houses sharing side walls. In the United States and Canada these are sometimes known as row houses or row homes. Terrace housing can be found worldwide, though it is quite common in Europe and Latin America, and many examples can be found in the United Kingdom, Belgium, United States, Canada, and Australia. The Place des Vosges in Paris (1605–1612) is one of the early examples of the type. Although in early larger forms it was and still is used for housing the wealthy, as cities and the demands for ever smaller close housing grew, it regularly became associated with the working class. Terraced housing has increasingly become associated with gentrification in certain inner-city areas, drawing the attention of city planning. Origins and nomenclature Though earlier Gothic examples, such as Vicars' Close, Wells, are know ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
