1970s TV play set in Shropshire

[Nick Dando]

Does anyone remember a play that was screened back in the 1970s? It was set in Church Stretton in 1951 and concerned two boys who were on their summer holidays before going to their next school. One of the boys father's was thought to be a little odd (I believe dipsomaniac was used) and spent most of his time in the shed.

The two boys, one of whom wore glasses, were desperate to go to see the Skylon at the Festival of Britain, and set off on their bikes. By mid-afternoon they'd got as far as the top of the Long Mynd when they were getting hungry, so they broke into a café ("Crime of the Century"). Somehow they were discovered and were split up by the authorities, with one of them going to the Comprehensive school, the other to the Grammar.

The playright also made a cameo as a wounded ex-serviceman, watching the boys play in either Carding Mill Valley or one of the other batches.

Any ideas of a title, or even whether someone has a copy?



Nick

[Euryale]

Nick,



Don't know if you ever did find this, but it was called The Combination (1982), and was part of the BBC 2 Playhouse series:



BFI | Film & TV Database | The COMBINATION (1982)



I read elsewhere that it was definitely set in Shropshire, and you were right, the author did act a part in it!



E.

[DaveK]

Dear Nick,



I worked on the film and I can confirm that it was "The Combination" which was written by Tim Preece, Produced by Rosemary Hill and beautifully directed by Peter Hammond . It was indeed shot around Church Stretton and featured Dorothy Tutin, Gary Raymond and John Bird. Tim. himself, played the role of the mystery man.



Best wishes



Dave

[Nick Dando]

Thanks very much to both of you. Now who's going to have a copy of this?



Nick

[filmyfan]

Trying to find out this film title for my brother...was about 2 boys cycling down to London from Liverpool maybe to go to the Festival of Britain in the 50's..he mentioned that he thought it was an early Channel 4 film in the Ptang Yang Kipperbang series..but I have found nothing anywhere on it ?



Thanks all

[CaptainWaggett]

The boys in The Combination were trying to get to the Festival of Britain though I can't remember if they cycled.

[Nick Dando]

If it's The Combination Playhouse: The Combination (1982) (TV) then it was set in Church Stretton and on the Long Mynd in Shropshire. The boys attempt to cycle to London to see the Festival of Britain, but end up breaking into a café on the Long Mynd (the Crime of the Century!). The two boys are then split up and they end up going to different schools, one to the Comprehensive and one to the Grammar.



I'd love to be able to see this again.



Nick

[Nick Dando]

And there's some more information on the play here:



http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/ca...hropshire.html



Nick

[filmyfan]

Thats Brilliant..Thanks !

[DaveK]

Dear Filmyfan,



I can confirm that 2 boys do attempt to cycle from Church Stretton to the Festival of Britain in London in the BBC tv film 'The Combination' as I edited it. It was Produced by Rosemary Hill and Directed by Peter Hamilton and was an absolute pleasure to work on. I still have on off air vhs of it which I have xferred to DVD if you are interested.

Best wishes

Dave

[Nick Dando]

I'd also be very, very interested to see this again, so I've PMed you.



Nick