Pleasureland
GenreDrama
Based on
Pleasureland (opera)
by
  • John Adams
Written byHelen Blakeman
Screenplay byHelen Blakeman
Directed byBrian Percival
StarringKatie Lyon
Claire Hackett
Philip Olivier
Barry Sloane
ComposersRic Featherstone
Magnus Fiennes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerNatasha Dack
ProducerJoanne O'Sullivan
Production locationMerseyside
CinematographyDavid Katznelson
EditorKristina Hetherington
Running time71 minutes
Production companyKudos Productions
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
ReleaseNovember 16, 2003 (2003-11-16)

Pleasureland is a 2003 Channel 4 feature-length television drama focusing on a group of teenagers in Liverpool who feel pressured to grow up. Written by Helen Blakeman, directed by Brian Percival and produced by Kudos, the makers of the BBC One espionage series Spooks.

The drama was based on the John Adams opera Pleasureland and was filmed on location in Liverpool as part of the Channel 4's Adult at 14 season.

Plot

A modern tale of teenage sex, Pleasureland is the story of Jo, a 14-year-old Scouser, who wakes up one day and decides she has to change her virgin status. In fact, she makes a promise to herself: 'I, Joanna Mosscroft, aged 14, year nine, almost year 10, promise me, Joanna Mosscroft, to have sex.' She is also motivated to have sex because it seems as if that is what all of the girls at school seem to be talking about. Thus, she feels pressured to lose her virginity. With that, she sets off on a rollercoaster journey of first-time-for-everything. Jo soon becomes embroiled in a world of sex, drugs and betrayal.

Cast[1]

  • Katie Lyon as Joanna Mosscroft
  • Claire Hackett as Julie Mosscroft
  • Michael Dunn as Greg Mosscroft
  • Melissa Edwards as Michelle Mosscroft
  • Michael Bailey as Greg Mosscroft
  • Tara Wells as Katie
  • Leah Whittaker as Sophie
  • Claire Bailey as Lisa
  • Philip Olivier as Ben
  • Barry Sloane as Darren
  • Holly Shwenn as Leanne
  • Letitia Denny as Chantelle
  • Mark Fenna as Rocky
  • Clive Moore as Mr. Stevens
  • Guy Parry as Guy in Bar
  • Sarah Harvey as Train Girl

Critical reception

The show attracted criticism by children's campaigners over the way in which it depicted teenage sex.[2]

Victoria Segal writing for The Times praised Katie Lyons performance as the protagonist and labelled her as 'one to watch'.[3] She also selected Pleasureland as her 'Pick of the day' in the TV section of The Sunday Times on November 16, 2003, despite describing it as 'difficult and unpleasant viewing'.[4]

Awards

Year Award Nominee Category Result Ref.
2003 Royal Television Society Programme Awards Katie Lyon Network Newcomer – On ScreenWon [5][6]
2003 Royal Television Society Programme Awards Helen Blakeman (writer) Network Newcomer – Behind the Screen Nominated [5]
2004 Royal Television Society Design and Craft Awards David Katznelson (DOP) Photography (Drama) Nominated [7]
2004 British Academy Television Craft Awards Helen Blakeman (writer) New Writer Nominated [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Pleasureland (2003)". BFI. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. ↑ Echo, Liverpool (10 November 2003). "Mersey TV drama is branded 'sick'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "One to watch". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  4. ↑ Segal, Victoria (16 November 2003). "Pick of the day". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Royal Television Society - Programme". 24 September 2006. Archived from the original on 24 September 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  6. ↑ Guardian Staff (17 March 2004). "RTS Programme Awards: full list of winners". the Guardian. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "RTS Craft and Design Winners 2004". Royal Television Society. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "2004 Television Craft New Writer | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 8 March 2022.


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