Shadow Play

A part-historical, part-contemporary story, a bit like Spywatch. The story will start with a present-day lad on a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads with his new step family, getting caught in a storm and sheltering in an old manor house. The lad then becomes embroiled in a Victorian plot through an old diary he finds that comes to life.

Modern lad (Ben) and Victorian diary writer (Hester) then apparently meet up and go off for an adventure in nineteenth century Norfolk, which will involve Victorian wherries (canal boats), Victorian fairgrounds, Victorian technology and inventions including the beginnings of cinema (probably developed from the camcorder that Ben has with him) and all sorts of Victorian riverside goings-on.

The carefully researched Victorian stuff and local activities like reedcutting and those wherries will help link it in to the history curriculum in schools.

Ben's coming to terms with his step family will be contrasted with Hester's rights, responsibilities and education in the Victorian period - the experiences of the past used to reflect on the present blah, blah, blah. That links it in to the citizenship curriculum.

The whole thing will be a mystery adventure serial, but in a return to the traditional Look and Read format, there will also be distinct educational segments in each episode, including songs! It was originally thought that there wouldn't be any (like Zzaap and the Word Master didn't have any) because its so difficult to find new songs that are good and catching and useful and don't end up ruining the whole thing - these criteria have apparently now been met. Anyway, that content links it in to the literacy curriculum.

Episodes

1. A Light at the Window
   • When Ben and his family take refuge in an old mansion, he discovers that he can see into the Victorian world through his camcorder.
2. The Girl in Blue
   • Hester meets Nathan, who takes her to meet his family on board a big cargo wherry. Nathan helps Hester find out about the mysterious happenings at the house.
3. A Flicker at the Fairground
   • Ben follows Hester and the servant, Katie, to a local fair. Ben tries to talk to Hester about the Girl in Blue who seems to be haunting him.
4. Phantoms and Photographs (aka Photos and Phantoms)
   • Ben helps Hester to escape from the Wherry after she makes a discovery. He finds out a bit more about the girl in blue.
5. A Secret Comes to Light
   • Uncle Augustus comes to the rescue of Nathan, who is in the clutches of Bob Trimby.

Credits

Starring	Jack Bannon as Ben Naomi Miller as Emma Patrick Robinson as Cal Sophie Aldred as Roz Anabel Barnston as Hester Moreton Timothy Bentinck as Uncle Augustus Laura Davenport as Aunt Sophie Janine Duvitski as Katie Faye Jackson as the Girl in Blue Cameron Crighton as Nathan Francis Magee as Mr Bob Trimby Patience Tomlinson as Mrs Alice Trimby Adam Donnelly as George Moreton Ben as Meg the dog
Presenter	Angellica Bell
With	Doreen Mantle as Queen Victoria Paul Bigley as Dogsbody

Written by	Carolyn Sally Jones
Music by	Alan Coates Kim Coody
Executive producer	Sue Nott
Producer	Sarah Miller
Director	Dirk Campbell

With thanks to	Broads Authority Norfolk Wherry Trust Galliard School Enfield Beaver Road School Manchester Hillhead School Glasgow Eric Edwards & How Hill Trust Filmed on location in Norfolk
Sketch writer	Peter Corey
Sketch music	Big George
Studio technical manager	John d'Souza
Studio lighting cameraman	Graham Banks
Studio make-up	Judith Barkas
Studio production co-ordinator	Michelle Parr
Studio engineer	Simon Storey
Vox pops cameraman	Edward Capes
Vox pops editor	Alex Morgan
Researcher	Kieron Schiff
Chaperone	Diana Thompson
Graphics	Adams Trainor
Production design	Alan Spalding Jo Manser
Art director	Jo Manser
Props	Anne Carlyle Gall Paul Halter Ben Grist John Hemsley
Costume design	Ros Little
Costume	Ros Little Judy Pepperdine Amanda Harward Miranda King Naomi Gurdol
Make-up design	Christine Penwarden
Make up	Christine Penwarden Jenny Lenard Celia Baxter Tracy Gaines
Marine co-ordinator	James Wakeford
Divers	Ian Nichols Ross Waters Emma Jones Josh Richardson
Assistant director	Gerry Wigzell Diane Kasperowicz
Locations manager	Tom Hamilton
Production accountant	Emma Lynch
Script supervisor	Justine Hatcher
Casting	Angela Grosvenor Jeff Capel
Runners	Adam Campbell Kieron Schiff Craig Scrivener Katie Ward
On-line editor	Simon Warner
Colourist	Nick Adams
Dubbing mixer	Richard Stillitto
Location sound	Steve Phillips Jeff Milner
Camera assistant	Nora McGoldrick
Gaffer	Steve Arthur
Electrician	David Thom
Grip	Tim Critchell
Off-line editor	Bob Cook
Lighting cameraman	Jerry Kelly
Series consultants	Sue Palmer Sallie Purkis
Line producer	Helga Dowie

Broadcasts

Here is a list of all of the broadcasts of this story on the BBC. See the Schedules section for precise dates and times.

• Spring 2004, BBC2
• Autumn 2004, CBBC
• Spring 2005, BBC2
• Spring 2005, CBBC
• Spring 2006, BBC2
• Spring 2006, CBBC
• Autumn 2006, CBBC
• Autumn 2006, BBC2
• Spring 2007, CBBC
• Autumn 2007, CBBC
• Autumn 2008, BBC2