One Chord Wonders: Damned, Damned, Damned
3/5
The third of Frank Cottrell Boyce's plays about the punk generation in middle age. Hardman Mick's career in the music business imploded after a brush with an over-enthusiastic fan. Now in prison, can he find salvation in his treasured memories of 'that night' in 1977?
Mick Martindale ... Richard Ridings
Lee ... Lloyd Thomas
Tony ... Chris Pavlo
Wayne ... Richie Campbell
Phil ... Paul Richard Biggin
Announcer ... John Rowe
Guard ... Ben Crowe
Director/Producer ... Toby Swift
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ONE CHORD WONDERS is a series of 5 plays by top British screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce. The series looks at the 'punk generation' three decades on, with each play telling a different, but connected, story. Featured actors include Pauline Quirke, Doon Mackichan, Sian Reeves, Richard Ridings, Danny Webb, Manjinder Virk and Fenella Woolgar.
Frank Cottrell Boyce is probably best known for films like '24 Hour Party People', 'A Cock & Bull Story', 'Hilary & Jackie', 'Welcome to Sarajevo' and 'Butterfly Kiss'. He won the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2004 for 'Millions', his first novel, which was subsequently filmed by British director Danny Boyle.
The series is based on the fictional premise that in March 1977 punk band the Adverts performed a gig in Camberley to an audience of 27 people. Over 30 years later, someone is trying to bring those 27 people back together again for a reunion.
'Damned, Damned, Damned' features Mick who worked in 'personal security' for rock and pop bands until an unfortunate incident with an over-enthusiastic fan saw him jailed for violence. As part of his battle to come to terms with what he has become, Mick has been trying to mentor a volatile young prisoner. The invitation to the reunion arrives, throwing his thoughts back to his young self and deeply unsettling him. He remembers that night in 1977 as the best night of his life. Then he receives a letter from Muttley who was also there that night.
The fourth play in the series - 'This is the Modern World' - catches up with Muttley, now living in an eco-commune deep in rural Wales.
The final play, 'Television's Over', takes us back 34 years to where it all begin; the day punk heroes the Adverts arrived at the Police Club in Camberley. Show less