Dennis Potter

Dennis Christopher George Potter (May 17, 1935 – June 7, 1994) was a controversial British dramatist who is best known for several widely acclaimed television dramas which mixed fantasy and reality, the personal and the social. He was particularly fond of using themes and images from popular culture.

Television Work

Potter's career as a playwright began conventionally enough with works like Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton (The Wednesday Play, 1965), a BBC play about a parliamentarycandidate, based on Potter's own experiences as such. He took a major step into controversy with Son of Man (The Wednesday Play, 1969), starring Colin Blakely, an alternative view of the last days of Jesus, which led to his being accused of blasphemy. His 1971 serial Casanova was criticised for its sexual content. Another play, Brimstone and Treacle (Play for Today, 1976), was withheld by the BBC for many years due to concerns over the depiction of the rape of a disabled woman. It was eventually broadcast on BBC2 in 1987, although a film version had been made, with Sting in the leading role, in 1982.

Related Topics:
The Wednesday Play - 1965 - Parliamentary - 1969 - Colin Blakely - Jesus - Blasphemy - 1971 - Casanova - Brimstone and Treacle - Play for Today - 1976 - BBC2 - 1987 - Film - Sting - 1982

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Potter's groundbreaking play, Blue Remembered Hills, was first shown on the BBC on 30 January 1979. There may have been a second showing soon afterwards, but there have been none since then, and the BBC video has long been unavailable. It is, however, due to be released on DVD in September 2005. The actors were Helen Mirren, Janine Duvitski, Michael Elphick, Colin Jeavons, Colin Welland, John Bird, Robin Ellis. It was directed by Brian Gibson. The theme was 'the child is father of the man,' and it was a tragi-comedy about morality. It was groundbreaking because adult actors had to dress, think and act like children, while remaining obviously adult – and it worked. It is still remembered by the lucky generation who saw it.

Related Topics:
Blue Remembered Hills - 1979 - DVD - 2005 - Helen Mirren - Janine Duvitski - Michael Elphick - Colin Jeavons - Colin Welland - John Bird - Robin Ellis - Brian Gibson

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Potter continued to make news as well as winning critical acclaim for drama serials such as Pennies From Heaven (1978) – which brought Bob Hoskins into the limelight – and The Singing Detective (1986), which did the same for Michael Gambon. Although he won many awards for his writing, Potter was generally regarded quizzically by the general viewing public. His TV serial, Blackeyes (1989, also a novel), a drama about a fashion model was widely regarded as self-indulgent. Potter's romantic comedy Lipstick on Your Collar (1993) was a return to more conventional themes.

Related Topics:
Pennies From Heaven - 1978 - Bob Hoskins - The Singing Detective - Michael Gambon - Blackeyes - 1989 - Fashion model - Lipstick on Your Collar - 1993

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