Compact (TV series)

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Compact
"Compact" (TV series).jpg
GenreDrama
Created byHazel Adair
Peter Ling
StarringFrances Bennett
Robert Desmond
Vincent Ball
Beryl Cooke
Ronald Allen
Jackie Lane
Moray Watson
Naomi Chance
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes373
Production
Running time30 minutes
Release
Original networkBBC1
Original release2 January 1962 (1962-01-02) –
30 July 1965 (1965-07-30)

Compact was a British television soap opera shown by BBC Television from January 1962 to July 1965. The series was created by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling; the partnership devised Crossroads while Compact was still running.[1][2] In contrast to the kitchen sink realism of Coronation Street, Compact was a distinctly middle-class serial, set in the more "sophisticated" arena of magazine publishing. An early "avarice" soap,[citation needed] it took the viewer into the business workplace, and aligned the professional lives of the characters with more personal storylines. The show was scheduled for broadcast on Tuesdays and Thursdays, thus avoiding a clash with ITV's Coronation Street on Mondays and Wednesdays.[1]

Outline and synopsis[]

The idea came to Hazel Adair when she submitted a commissioned feature article for Woman's Own.[3] After the BBC decided to produce the project, she formed a working partnership with Peter Ling.[2] When Compact began, the editor was female, Joanne Minster (Jean Harvey), she was replaced after the first six months by Ian Harmon (Ronald Allen),[2] the son of the magazine's owner. Compact featured the first regular black character in a British soap opera, photographer Jeff Armandez (Horace James), who appeared in 26 episodes from August to October 1964.[4] Adair managed to persuade the BBC to retain an unmarried mother in the series (also a first), according to her granddaughter.[5][6]

Despite being criticised by reviewers, Compact was a success.[7] In 1964 a regular omnibus edition was introduced, broadcast on Sundays.[1] Morris Barry, a some-time actor and BBC director – he directed several Doctor Who stories in the 1960s – took over as producer and was given a brief to spice the series up in view of the criticism it had received from the national press.[citation needed] The BBC dropped the series in 1965.[1] Adair believed the BBC was embarrassed by its high audience figures.[6]

Cast[]

When the series ended, the cast members appeared in programme of the same kind. Ronald Allen was a regular in the soap opera Crossroads between 1969 and 1985. Australian actor Vincent Ball also featured in Crossroads. Marcia Ashton, who played Lily, appeared in soap opera Brookside many years later. Carmen Silvera played the role of Madame Edith Artois in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo from 1982 to 1992. One of the directors, David Giles, for whom Compact was his substantial television assignment, had an extensive career in the medium.[8]

Only a handful of episodes exist in the BBC archive, four out of the original run of 373. (See Wiping.)

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Clark, Anthony (2003–14). "Compact (1962–65)". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Hayward, Anthony (20 October 2011) [2006]. "Peter Ling". The Independent. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  3. ^ Fiddy, Dick (27 November 2015). "Hazel Adair: Prolific writer on Emergency - Ward 10 and co-creator of Crossroads". The Independent. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  4. ^ Bourne, Stephen (2001). Black in the British Frame: The Black Experience in British Film and Television. London & New York City: Continuum. p. 174.
  5. ^ "Crossroads creator Hazel Adair dies, aged 95". BBC News. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Hazel Adair". The Times. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2021. (subscription required)
  7. ^ Purser, Philip (27 September 2021). "Peter Ling". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  8. ^ Purser, Philip (8 March 2010). "David Giles obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

External links[]

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