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This is the Modern World

Frank Cottrell Boyce's cycle of plays continues with the story of ex-punk anarchist Muttley. His unlikely pilgrimage to Camberley with his daughter takes him back to his youth.

One Chord Wonders: This is the Modern World
4/5
Frank Cottrell Boyce's series of plays about the punk generation 30 years on continues with the story of an unlikely pilgrimage to Camberley. Eco-toilet pioneer and ex-'anarcho-punk' Muttley is about to be forcibly reunited with his former self.

Muttley ... Danny Webb
Lineel ... Stephanie Leonidas
Lin ... Ann Beach
Hippie ... Carl Prekopp
Drug Dealer ... John Biggins
Market Researcher ... Alex Tregear
Club Doorman ... John Cummins
Williams ... Sam Dale
Hotel Receptionist ... Liz Sutherland

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.

In 'This is the Modern World', Muttley is to be found living in an eco-commune in Wales with his teenage daughter, Lineel. When an invitation to the reunion turns up, Lineel is desperate to find out more about her late mother's previous life in Camberley. Muttley reluctantly agrees to accompany her on a pilgrimage back to his home town...on foot. There Lineel learns the unlikely truth about her parents' past, as well as getting an abrupt introduction to life in the 'real world' beyond the confines of the commune.

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.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 23 Apr 2011 14:30

Broadcast

  • Sat 23 Apr 2011 14:30

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