News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 7th Year

Issue

Issue No.

12

Date Released

Aug 1954

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. AT HOME
• 2. TAMWORTH GALA
• 3. CUT & CARRY
• 4. BALLETOMINES

Story

Story No. within this Issue

4 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: miners dancing ballet. Miners from the West Riding Colliery give performance of Delibes’ "Coppelia" for charity at Normanton Central Town Club.
NCB Commentary - Many times in the past have the men of the West Riding Colliery outdone their neighbours in putting on a show as well as turning out the coal.
Meet Bernard Powys, Clarence, Bill and Tommy Megson and manager Baster, screen-hand Chick Wilshaw, fireman Jim Turner, underground worker Jack Fish, Colin Plant, clerk, and storekeeper Israel Downton.
Together with a local eighteen-year-old girl, Avril Fenton, these men have made up their own concert party - with a difference.
Their make-up is in the hands of Mrs. Butler, the local policeman’s wife, once a music-hall artiste herself.
The hall at Normanton Central Town Club is packed, with an audience supporting a local charity. Storekeeper Downton takes up the baton and leads off into Delibes’ "Coppelia" - and here come the boys ...
With an audience in fits and even the conductor beginning to break down under the strain, it’s a wonder that these eight husky miners can keep straight faces.
With crafty foot-work like this the men of the West Riding play to packed halls wherever they go. They keep their audiences happy, and if Robert Helpmann’s a bit better - so what? It’s all in a good cause.

Researcher Comments

According to bfi records, this story was shot on the 1st and 2nd of April 1954. It’s budget was £200 2s 7d. Commentary recorded 2 July 1954.

Keywords

Music and dance; Entertainment and leisure; Mining; Performing arts

Locations

Yorkshire; England

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for Synopsis
Film User   Vol.9 No.104 June 1955, p302.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Camera

Gerry Godfrey

Director

John Reid

Camera

Kenneth Reeves

Sponsor

National Coal Board