VCT Filming: South Riding
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Adapted from the novel (published March 1936) by Winifred Holtby. Screenplay by Andrew Davies
Set in 1934-35, South Riding tells the story of Sarah Burton (played by Anna Maxwell Martin), who lost her chance of marriage and motherhood when her fiancée was killed in the First World War trenches. Sarah has become a career woman, and comes home from London to Yorkshire to take up the position of headmistress at a Yorkshire high school for girls.
Before the end of the story Sarah Burton must choose between the career she has fought for and the man who has won her heart.
Robert Carne (played by David Morrissey) is a man whose family have farmed the South Riding for hundreds of years. However, Robert Carne has spent much of the family fortune over the past 20 years, haunted by guilt. Katherine McGolpin plays Midge Carne, the daughter of Robert and his first wife.
Alderman Mrs Beddows (played by Penelope Wilton) is the county’s first woman Alderman. Other characters in the series include Councillor Huggins (played by John Henshaw), the Riding’s only socialist councillor Joe Astell (played by Douglas Henshall), school science mistress Miss Sigglesthwaite (played by Brid Brennan), and 14-year old Lydia Holly (played by Charlie Clark).
The railway sequences featured Anna Maxwell Martin, Penelope Wilton, and Charlie Clark. Percy the railway guard was played by Bernard Wrigley.
Characters:
Sarah Burton Anna Maxwell Martin
Mrs Beddows Penelope Wilton
Percy Bernard Wrigley
Lydia Holly Charlie Clark
Characters in other scenes, not involving Vintage Carriages Trust:
Robert Carne David Morrissey
Shooting date: Wednesday 15 September 2010 at Loughborough station on the Great Central Railway
Scenes:
(set in May 1934) Episode 1 scenes 03 and 05
(set in Jan 1935) Episode 3 scenes 62A, 63A, 64, 65
Slates numbers 606 – 621
Carriages provided by Vintage Carriages Trust: Metropolitan Railway Third 465
Metropolitan Railway First 509
Other railway carriages used in the scenes: LNER Pigeon Van 4050
LNER Buffet Car 24278
Steam locomotives used: LMS class 8F no. 8305 (train engine on platform 2)
GCR class 8K no. 102 (stationary on platform 1)
Executive Producers: Anne Pivcevic Hilary Martin
Producer: Lisa Osborne
Line Producer: Angie Daniell
Director: Diarmuid Lawrence
Director of Photography: Alan Almond
1st Assistant Director: Martin Curry
2nd Assistant Director: Sarah Gilham
3rd Assistant Director: John Turner
Art Director: Chris Roope
Production Buyer / Set Dresser: Duncan Windram-Wheeler
Location Manager: Luc Webster
Location Assistant: Richard Key
Production Co-ordinator: Lynn Roberts
Sound: Alistair Crocker
Special Effects: Enterprises Unlimited Special Effects
Lighting: Panalux
Filming locations:
Street scenes in episode 1 were filmed in Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Scenes were filmed inside the Council Chamber of Keighley Town Hall, West Yorkshire
The Manchester Hotel Ballroom scenes were filmed inside the Connaught Rooms in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Musical soundtrack for the scenes:
The Very Thought of You – modern recording for this programme - originally arranged and recorded by Ray Noble
My Hat’s on the side of my Head Ray Noble and his Orchestra
Shout For Happiness The New Mayfair Dance Orchestra directed by Ray Noble
Love Is The Sweetest Thing – Ray Noble and his New Mayfair Dance Orchestra with vocal by Al Bowlly