There's an interview with Producer Phil Collinson in which he calls the live episode a 'live disaster movie'. Corrie writer Jan McVerry talks about writing the live episode script and behind-the-scenes secrets from wardrobe, set dressers and more. Well worth a look.
Watch the video here.
Watched some of it again this evening, and it stands up. The way that all of the various plot strands converged around the viaduct catastrophe was actually quite remarkable, and achieved alongside some terrific performances from the actors, and some superlative production values that led to a full week of episodes that were simply chock-full of dramatic tension.
ReplyDeleteThere was also a goodly measure of that wonderful blend of comedy and drama that is Coronation Street's trademark. Take Graham, for me the absolute epitome of the whole thing. I found something in my eye as Graham recounted his love for Ashley, an employer, a mentor, and a dear, dear, friend. Somehow it felt absolutely real, and utterly touching, to the extent that I felt I shared Graham's loss, and shed my tears with his.
Earlier, Graham had explained his absence hitherto as having had to attend to his rather stout, not to say mountainous old friend, "K2", who was feeling down since his gastric band had gone wrong.
Pathos, bathos, comedy. Simply brilliant. It's probably a cliche to repeat the old saw that if Shakespeare were alive today, he'd be writing for Coronation Street, but you know, this week has demonstrated that it might not be that far off the mark. Betjeman, too, had it sussed - birth, death, bereavement, joy, tragedy, lies, deception, love, friendship, community, trust, fun. It was all there this week. All of what makes us human.
Who cares if in reality Sally would never in a month of Sundays have been allowed anywhere near Molly in the wreckage of the corner shop? As a dramatic device, it set the street alight.
I'm left gasping in admiration.
Cant Watch it because dont live in the UK. Any chance of a youtube like somebody? Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the episodes are on You Tube. just do a search for Coronation street and the dates, dEcember 6,7,8,9, and 10. I believe they are sectioned into parts but are there.
ReplyDeleteBilly what a lovely tribute you have written. You have really summed it up perfectly!
ReplyDeleteIt's worth checking youtube for these exclusive in the UK extras. I've discovered that some of them eventually show up there. Of course they could get taken down at any moment, so keep checking. Gary's Army Diaries was up the other day, don't know if the 3 eps. are still there. I'm too Corried our to check.
ReplyDeleteBilly, I totally agree. This went way beyond Corrie's normal offerings, and not just with the special effects - though those helped. Maybe we need to stretch our imaginations in this way more often. The world might be a better place. And I think Dickens might agree too.
Hopefully ONE DAY overseas fans like us CAN watch ITV videos!
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