Gordon McKerrow
Gordon McKerrow is a scriptwriter and audio-visual maker.
Educated at the School of Communication, University of Westminster.
From 1980-87, he became a freelance scriptwriter/producer for cinema shorts
and documentaries, many with literary themes. He has made short interpretative films
about poems by Coleridge, Updike and Auden. He is a contributor to BBC Radio
Drama (several plays, listed below) and from 1987 onwards has been
creating audio tours and audio-visuals for museums and historic sites, scripting and
directing almost 50 productions.
.....................and from the 'doollee' site: Gordon McKerrow has written and/or directed nearly 60 plays, scripts, films and videos for clients ranging from the BBC to pub theatre. He has won the 'Interpret Britain' Award four times for his historical dramas, commissioned by English Heritage.
RADIO WORK
ALMOST TIME FOR SCHOOL....1984
10.11.1984/2030,Andrew Sachs/Robert Eddison/Jane Knowles/Margot Boyd. A computerised school in the future - but boys will still be boys. (90m)
BRAN UNDERGROUND....1984
3 Nov 84. With Roger Lloyd Pack, Jim Carter, Belinda Sinclair. Brannigan is gradually running out of money, and the bailiffs keep removing his belongings. Then his friend Cutty suggests a way out: why not perform some stunts, and get the media to pay? 60m.
WE WILL KNOW THEM....1981
By Gordon McKerrow 21.11.1981 Francesca Annis/Richard Derrington. Saturday Night Theatre. Conscientious objectors at the time of World War 1.
The play makes riveting listening. There is a copy in the BBC archive.
We are aware now of the terrible slaughter which took place on the Somme. At the time, a small minority of young men
was vocal in opposing the conflict, and when called up for active service, refused to go. Some of these individuals were treated so appallingly whilst in captivity (many were jailed) that they died.
Producer Penny Gold.
Cast list:
Molly...............................................Francesca Annis
Teddy............................................Richard Derrington
Lydia..................................................Fiona Walker
Joan..............................................Caroline Mortimer
Catherine.............................................Pauline Letts
Molly's
Mother.......................................Hilda Kriseman
Molly's Father........................................Michael Spice
Mr. Street/Mr. Tennant.................................Sion Probert
Clifford Allen......................................David McAlister
Inspector Cole/Constable.............................Ronald Herdman
Landlord/Tribunal Chairman...........................Alexander John
Army Captain.........................................Andrew Secombe
Policeman/Sergeant........................................John Webb
Major/MP..............................................Roger Hammond
Librarian.............................................Spencer Banks
Voice of the Press......................................Danny Schiller
One wonders what would happen if similar circumstances arose today. It is easy to take the freedoms which we now enjoy in the West for granted, as we are reminded on Armistice Day.
FICTIONS....1980
23 May 1980. Rodney Bewes/Carole Hayman/David Daker
THE INFAMOUS MR. GEORGIE....1978
16 Sep 78. Excellent 30-minute play starring Jimmy Jewel as an elderly ventriloquist and Dandy Nicholls as his long-suffering partner. "Thirty Minute Theatre" series.
compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
Recordings of above plays known to exist in VRPCC collections.
