Pleasureland

Last updated

Pleasureland
GenreDrama
Based on
Pleasureland (opera)
by
  • John Adams
Written by Helen Blakeman
Screenplay byHelen Blakeman
Directed by Brian Percival
StarringKatie Lyon
Claire Hackett
Philip Olivier
Barry Sloane
ComposersRic Featherstone
Magnus Fiennes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerNatasha Dack
ProducerJoanne O'Sullivan
Production location Merseyside
CinematographyDavid Katznelson
EditorKristina Hetherington
Running time71 minutes
Production company Kudos Productions
Original release
Network Channel 4
ReleaseNovember 16, 2003 (2003-11-16)

Pleasureland is a 2003 Channel 4 feature-length television drama focusing on a group of teenagers in Liverpool who feel pressured to grow up. Written by Helen Blakeman, directed by Brian Percival and produced by Kudos, the makers of the BBC One espionage series Spooks .

Contents

The drama was based on the John Adams opera Pleasureland and was filmed on location in Liverpool as part of the Channel 4's Adult at 14 season.

Plot

A modern tale of teenage sex, Pleasureland is the story of Jo, a 14-year-old Scouser, who wakes up one day and decides she has to change her virgin status. In fact, she makes a promise to herself: 'I, Joanna Mosscroft, aged 14, year nine, almost year 10, promise me, Joanna Mosscroft, to have sex.' She is also motivated to have sex because it seems as if that is what all of the girls at school seem to be talking about; thus, she feels pressured to lose her virginity. With that, she sets off on a rollercoaster journey of first-time-for-everything. Jo soon becomes embroiled in a world of sex, drugs and betrayal.

Cast [1]

Critical reception

The show attracted criticism by children's campaigners over the way in which it depicted teenage sex. [2]

Victoria Segal writing for The Times praised Katie Lyons performance as the protagonist and labelled her as 'one to watch'. [3] She also selected Pleasureland as her 'Pick of the day' in the TV section of The Sunday Times on November 16, 2003, despite describing it as 'difficult and unpleasant viewing'. [4]

Awards

YearAwardNomineeCategoryResultRef.
2003 Royal Television Society Programme Awards Katie LyonNetwork Newcomer – On ScreenWon [5] [6]
2003Royal Television Society Programme AwardsHelen Blakeman (writer)Network Newcomer – Behind the ScreenNominated [5]
2004 Royal Television Society Design and Craft AwardsDavid Katznelson (DOP)Photography (Drama)Nominated [7]
2004 British Academy Television Craft Awards Helen Blakeman (writer)New WriterNominated [8]

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References

  1. "Pleasureland (2003)". BFI. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. Echo, Liverpool (10 November 2003). "Mersey TV drama is branded 'sick'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. "One to watch". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  4. Segal, Victoria (16 November 2003). "Pick of the day". The Sunday Times . Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Royal Television Society - Programme". 24 September 2006. Archived from the original on 24 September 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  6. Guardian Staff (17 March 2004). "RTS Programme Awards: full list of winners". the Guardian. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  7. "RTS Craft and Design Winners 2004". Royal Television Society. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  8. "2004 Television Craft New Writer | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 8 March 2022.