''Scene'' is a British television anthology drama/documentary series made by the BBC for teenagers, broadcast from 1968 to 2002. It comprised dramas and documentaries on topical issues, sometimes of a controversial nature, by leading contemporary playwrights including included Willy Russell, Fay Weldon,

Tom Stoppard Sir Tom Stoppard (born , 3 July 1937) is a Czech born British playwright and screenwriter. He has written for film, radio, stage, and television, finding prominence with plays. His work covers the themes of human rights, censorship, and politi ...

, Alan Plater etc. programmes were originally broadcast to a school audience as part of the

BBC Schools BBC Schools, also known as BBC for Schools and Colleges, is the educational programming strand set up by the BBC in 1957, broadcasting a range of educational programmes for children aged 5–16. From launch until June 1983, programming was based o ...

strand. Dramas from the series were also regularly broadcast for a wider adult audience. ''Scene'' was originally conceived as a series of 30 minute dramas and documentaries suitable for showing to teenage schoolchildren as part of the English and Humanities curriculum. It was envisaged that the dramas shown would stimulate discussion in the classroom about various contemporary issues relevant to teenagers (such as race, drugs, sex, disability etc.).

Award winners and nominees

*''Terry'' (1969) – BAFTA Flame of Knowledge Award. *''A Collier's Friday Night'' (1976) – BAFTA Flame of Knowledge Award. *'' Loved Up'' (1996) – BAFTA for best schools drama. Series Ass.Producer

Andy Rowley Andy Rowley (born 28 December 1959; Preston, Lancashire) is a British television producer known for his children's dramas, including ''Jeopardy'', which won a BAFTA Award for best children's drama in 2002, and '' Microsoap'', Prix Jeunesse winner ...

*''Alison'' (1996) – BAFTA nomination for best schools drama. Series Producer

*''United'' (1998) – BAFTA for best schools drama. Produced and directed by Michael McGowan. *'' Junk'' (1999) – BAFTA for best schools drama. *''Offside'' (2002) – BAFTA for best schools drama. *''Split game'' (2005) – BAFTA nomination for best schools drama. *''Stone Cold'' BAFTA nomination 1998 Producer

Director

Stephen Whittaker Stephen Whittaker (28 June 19477 February 2003) was a British actor and director. He worked largely in British film and television, and attended Henley-in-Arden School in Warwickshire before further training as an actor at London's Corona Academy. ...

Selected episodes

''Terraces'' (1993). The residents of a street of terraced houses decide to paint them all in the colours of their local football team – all except one man who refuses to conform to mob rule. Written by Willy Russell. '' Loved Up'' (1995). A young woman leaves home to live with her boyfriend and discovers the

rave A rave (from the verb: '' to rave'') is a dance party at a warehouse, club, or other public or private venue, typically featuring performances by DJs playing electronic dance music. The style is most associated with the early 1990s dance mus ...

scene and

ecstasy Ecstasy may refer to: * Ecstasy (emotion), a trance or trance-like state in which a person transcends normal consciousness * Religious ecstasy, a state of consciousness, visions or absolute euphoria * Ecstasy (philosophy), to be or stand outside o ...

. Series producer

. A 2 x 30 minute abridged version of a BAFTA-winning drama. ''Alison'' (1996): BAFTA-nominated Comedy-drama. Terry Kennett decides to return to his home town after a ten-year absence. He bumps into old mates and his former girlfriend Alison who shows him around their old haunts. They reminisce about their teenage romance, first sexual experience and the reasons for their eventual breakup. Terry is shocked to find that Alison is now a young single mother, but decides to rekindle their relationship in the hope that former mistakes are behind them. Written and directed by Al Hunter Ashton and produced by

. Starring

Sarah Jane Potts Sarah-Jane Potts (born 30 August 1976) is an English actress, best known for her roles as Saint (Sarah) in '' Sugar Rush'', Ellie, Abs' on/off girlfriend in ''Casualty'' and Jo Lipsett in '' Waterloo Road''. Potts is the sister of actor Andrew- ...

and Jack Deam. ''Teaching Matthew'' written by Al Hunter Ashton. A satire on Willy Russell's Educating Rita. Ashton acted in the film, playing Sergeant Conway. Adrian Lester played the eponymous lead character. ''Stone Cold'' (1997) Starring Peter Howitt. Threat to runaway boy Link who becomes homeless after abuse at home and is prey to a street killer. Directed by

and produced by

. BAFTA nominated ''Junk'' (1999): Bafta-winning drama. Following difficulties with her parents, teenager Gemma Brogan leaves home. She falls under the spell of a young woman who introduces her to the world of alternative youth culture and drugs. Initially her new life seems glamorous and exciting but she soon discovers its dark side as she slides uncontrollably into heroin addiction. Starring Jemima Rooper.

Reception and legacy

Critical reaction was positive with praise for the high production standards. The series was nominated for five awards in 1996–1997 and won a Prix Jeunesse in 1998 under series producer

Some of the actors featured in ''Scene'' went on to achieve varying degrees of mainstream success. e.g.: Jemima Rooper ('' Junk'', 1999),

, Jack Deam, Lucy Davis (''Alison'', 1996), Adrian Lester (''Teaching Matthew'', 1993), Sean Maguire (''A Man of Letters'', 1997), Peter Howitt (''Stone Cold'').

References

External links

''Scene''
at BroadcastForschools.co.uk
''Scene''
at the BFI Film and Television Database *{{Screenonline TV title, id=725524, title=Loved Up BBC children's television shows British television shows for schools British drama television series 1968 British television series debuts 2002 British television series endings 1960s British television series 1970s British television series 1980s British television series 1990s British television series