“Close to Home” goes far from home

Press, 19 October 1976, Page 23

“Close to Home” goes far from home

It was circumstantial that both drama director Peter Coates and actor Harry Lavington (Ken Paget • in “Close To Home”) happened to be separately holidaying in Britain in September, and “Close To Home” producer, John Anderson, decided to turn the situation to advantage. The result of this association is to be seen on TVI next Tuesday, when “Close To Home” goes far from home — to Sengenydd and Cardiff in Wales, in a film story written by the current

series writer, Frank Edwards. When Ken returns to his homeland after a 20year absence he receives a few shocks, one of which is in the formidable presence of his Aunt Rose, a trained nurse who is looking after Kens ailing mother. Aunt Rose is played by the distinguished Welsh actress, Rachel Thomas, who may be best known to Dylan Thomas followers- in New Zealand as the voices of Rosie Probert, Mrs Willy Nilly and Mary Ann Sailors in the Under

Milk Wood” recording which features Richard Burton and Hugh Griffith. Ken’s mother is played by another member of that cast, Dilys Davies — the voice of Mrs Ogmore Pritchard. Two other actors appearing in the episode, Eynon Evans and Brinley Jenkins, have been recruited from the Welsh National Theatre. With such reputable actors in the cast, one may consider this venture extremely costly, yet it has proved to be only

marginally more expensive than an ordinary “Close To Home” episode. Surprisingly, the most expensive factor- was the payment of non-speaking extras, who in Britain have their own union and are extremely awarcf-con-scious. An extra has to be paid an additional $5 a day if he is required to move during the course of a scene. The episode could not have been made without the willing assistance of 8.8. C. Wales.