The Day Of The Sardine
For BBC’s The Read. Mark Benton performs ‘The Day Of The Sardine’ by Sid Chaplin, a working class tale set in 1960s Newcastle.
Client: BBC Arts / Rural Media
Sector: Narrative
Services: Sound Desig & Mix
SYNOPSIS
Arthur Haggleston is the principal character, who recounts memories of his youth when he lived with his mother and her lover. He navigates the transition from an inadequate education system to a stagnant labour market, working various menial odd jobs along the way. He befriends Nosey who becomes his gang partner and they get caught up in the rough and tumble of street violence. He falls for an older married woman and they have an affair.
SOUND DESIGN
The Read is an interesting television format because although it is visual, we are focused at all times on a static narrator. This means that much of our work is about enhancing the story through off-screen sound, similar to sound designing a podcast or audio drama.
This episode was ripe for sound design as there was a lot of action, from schoolyard scuffs to gang warfare. We helped to bring the coastal and urban sounds of 1960s Newcastle to life.
CREDITS
Starring - Mark Benton
Director - Kieran Stringfellow
Producer - Tasha Williams
Director of Photography - George Haydock
Production Design - Ruta Staseviciute
Production Sound - Jake McKenzie-Hayes
Sound Design - Brian Lane
Score - Simon Passmore
Editor - Dave Jones
Colourist - Vic Parker
BROADCAST
Originally broadcast on BBC Four at 8pm, Sunday 6th November 2022.
Now available on BBC iPlayer.