Apparently,Lime productions are trying to RIP the play 'Once Upon A Time In Wigan' (which i commisioned and devised with love, care and soul, in 2002 with my company (URBAN EXPANSIONS), into a one off TV drama, but with all reality and soul taken out! But worry not, I feel a legal challenge coming on... Do Mr Wigan & Trick Martbin, have no shame! Im told its the same company that do Hollyoaks, so you can see where its going! Shamefull! They never give up in their search to squeeze a quick buck out of everything and in doing so squeeze the soul and honesty out!

Edited January 17, 201015 yr by paul-s

Lime productions are trying to RIP the play 'Once Upon A Time In Wigan' (which i commisioned and devised with love, care and soul, in 2002 with my company (URBAN EXPANSIONS), into a one off TV drama, but with all reality and soul taken out! But worry not, I feel a legal challenge coming on... Do Binstanley & Trick Martin have no shame! Its the same company that do Hollyoaks, so you can see where its going! Shamefull! They never give up in their search to squeeze a quick buck out of everything and in doing so squeeze the soul and honesty out!

I don't mind a bit of Hollyoaks Paul ..could'nt tell you any of the plot but they always have nice eye candy .lol

Would be very interesting to see how they worked that into your play

I don't mind a bit of Hollyoaks Paul ..could'nt tell you any of the plot but they always have nice eye candy .lol

Would be very interesting to see how they worked that into your play

looks like more dancing audtions at the ritz then paul !!

Lime productions are trying to RIP the play 'Once Upon A Time In Wigan' (which i commisioned and devised with love, care and soul, in 2002 with my company (URBAN EXPANSIONS), into a one off TV drama, but with all reality and soul taken out! But worry not, I feel a legal challenge coming on... Do Binstanley & Trick Martin have no shame! Its the same company that do Hollyoaks, so you can see where its going! Shamefull! They never give up in their search to squeeze a quick buck out of everything and in doing so squeeze the soul and honesty out!

The Octagon version was bad enough you must be gutted .

The Octagon version was bad enough you must be gutted .

As ive said before, the two individuals involved have only one interest...money. Its a way off yet until it goes forward and things are in hand to make sure it doesn't steal scenes, names images, from the original. The published script already contains ALL of my stage directions and musical directions (without permission or credit!), so these guys are in tricky waters......And, obviously it was my original idea, thats why I commissioned the play to be written from the 5 weeks devising in rehearsal that we did. In fact West Yorkshire Playhouse & Contact were partners on it. We shall see...

As ive said before, the two individuals involved have only one interest...money. Its a way off yet until it goes forward and things are in hand to make sure it doesn't steal scenes, names images, from the original. The published script already contains ALL of my stage directions and musical directions (without permission or credit!), so these guys are in tricky waters......And, obviously it was my original idea, thats why I commissioned the play to be written from the 5 weeks devising in rehearsal that we did. In fact West Yorkshire Playhouse & Contact were partners on it. We shall see...

I sincerely hope that this " project " does not happen Paul , for it will be a travesty if it does .

Malc Burton

I sincerely hope that this " project " does not happen Paul , for it will be a travesty if it does .

Malc Burton

Yep, they turned it into a blue eyed musical with half the story taken out and NOW a hollyoaks soap film......Mr binstanley, always quality.ha! Added some pics from the original!

Yep, they turned it into a blue eyed musical with half the story taken out and NOW a hollyoaks soap film......Mr binstanley, always quality.ha! Added some pics from the original!

I was fortunate to see the stage play twice , and have sincere pleasurable memories of it .

I have never seen - or want to see - Hollyoaks , but I know of it , and how popular it is , but the production team - and their " consultants " - need to stick to what they know , rather than turn their talents to what they assume to know about .

Malc Burton

Edited January 15, 201015 yr by Malc Burton

i like Hollyoaks and would be nice if the company had worked with people like you who can make it work something and not to take things out of it.

imagine a Northern soul night in there pub the dog in the pond

I don't mind a bit of Hollyoaks Paul ..could'nt tell you any of the plot but they always have nice eye candy .lol

Would be very interesting to see how they worked that into your play

Hollyoaks has a plot

Paul, I offered you legal help on this 6 months ago. You said you'd send all the papers over. You never bothered. I, like you, am in the tv/stage/drama industry. If you commission a writer to write a script for you, you take a full assignment of copyright and all other rights providing you paid a fair price for the script. You've been around long enough to know that. You can't blame Mick or anyone if you didn't do that. If he's got the rights he can do what he want and if you didn't pay him properly in the first place to take all the rights then that was your call - nobody else's. Lime are a great production company headed up by Carolyn Reynolds who I worked with for 6 years at ITV before she was poached.

Sorry, on mobile and won't let me add/edit. I'd just add that Carolyn is truly brilliant and inspirational. Happy to have word if you want.

Rich

I hear Brad Pitt is lined up to play Rust Wynstainly

Paul, I offered you legal help on this 6 months ago. You said you'd send all the papers over. You never bothered. I, like you, am in the tv/stage/drama industry. If you commission a writer to write a script for you, you take a full assignment of copyright and all other rights providing you paid a fair price for the script. You've been around long enough to know that. You can't blame Mick or anyone if you didn't do that. If he's got the rights he can do what he want and if you didn't pay him properly in the first place to take all the rights then that was your call - nobody else's. Lime are a great production company headed up by Carolyn Reynolds who I worked with for 6 years at ITV before she was poached.

Yes, i remember the offer mate. But, even now, these things take a long time until there on. I paid Mick proper equity and writers fees and he had commission on attendance aswell, so he earnt lot of money from it. He was commisioned (by Urban Expansions ltd) via his agent. I have legal representation, so no panic. Maybe Lime need to be very careful if they cant trace a clean line of ownership, intellectual property and any plagiarism. as i said, we shall see

. Doesn't matter how good a production company are, if they have people with no idea or soul advising them. The Bolton musical was a joke, a hash, an attempt at making a west end hit! It failed miserably. It was contrived.

It seems that the desire to do it is driven by the greed of two individuals.

One is a writer who doesn't give a flying f--k about the scene or indeed know much about it (apart from what he saw in rehearsals & reading), the other is a guy whos been dining out on Wigan Casino since it closed, who admits he never knew what went on amongst the punters (socially & on the floor) until he saw the play. So, i just worry its another callous, souless attempt at making money....like the 'musical'.

I bet Mr Wigan has a whole line of souveneir mugs, shirts, coasters planned to go with the 'hollyoaks does wigan special.'

I hear Brad Pitt is lined up to play Rust Wynstainly

Nah------Johnny Vegas.............................

Nah... Paul Shane. But more rotund.

Nah... Paul Shane. But more rotund.

I see Shaney regularly , so I will ask him if he has been approached .

I can see see it now : slicked back hair , bristling 'tash , yellow coat and a chorus of " Hi - Di High Voltage , Hi - Di - Hope We Have " ......

Goodnight campers .

Malc Burton

I see Shaney regularly , so I will ask him if he has been approached .

I can see see it now : slicked back hair , bristling 'tash , yellow coat and a chorus of " Hi - Di High Voltage , Hi - Di - Hope We Have " ......

Goodnight campers .

Malc Burton

I don't mind a bit of Hollyoaks Paul ..could'nt tell you any of the plot but they always have nice eye candy .lol

Would be very interesting to see how they worked that into your play

Kate Bekinsale, suitably dressed in flared skirt and Espadrilles (sp?) .............

Necking-On with another 'Soul Bird' ............

Love owt like that, me like !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kate Bekinsale, suitably dressed in flared skirt and Espadrilles (sp?) .............

Necking-On with another 'Soul Bird' ............

Love owt like that, me like !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ive changed my mind, your selling the idea to me now!

Buzz me Monday Paul and we'll hatch a plan..

the soul scene is not a cabaret act ,

leave it as it is ,

if you need to be told about it you will never understand it ,

most things you see about the scene on the tv make me cringe , that paul Ogrady thing was so embaresing "

stop trying to make money on something outsiders will never understand , and to be honest do you want them to " i dont "

its our scene so lets keep it to our selves

once upon a time in wigan , do me a favore whats next the wheel ? the torch ? brighouse ritz

the soul scene is not a cabaret act ,

Id have to disagree with that. There are a few venues & djs and punters who come across a bit cabaret. Mr Binstanley is PURE cabaret! Some aspects of todays scene can be a bit of a parody of the original im afraid.

i have to agree with you there ,,, " soul bags for gods sake "

paul ...did u write the original play???

I know nothing of the Bolton thing so can't comment on that but did see OUATIW when it played at the Citizens in Glasgow and those who I saw that night (Mark Linton, Kenny Burrell to mention just two) thought so too.

Paul, I think we've been here before so many times vis-a-vis the very irritating commercialisation of the scene and regarding Renatta's Rene 'nuff said. If it does go to TV it really has to be done properly - I seem to recall a TV drama back in the 70's which was loosely based on the Casino and it was rotten....

Hope everything goes well.

Mick

Talk about leeching. He never consulted on the original, because he had no idea what it was like as a punter..the reality and soul evaded him.

Also didnt consult or help when i needed £5000 to go into rehearsal and nearly didnt get show on. Only really consulted when he wanted Free tickets, for friends, family and self. They seem to think the success will be repeated by removing the source, hacking the script and getting a bunch of ingenuine, lack lustre gropers to consult on something they dont care about, except from a financial angle. Why not call it something else, unless they are trying to raise money and interest of the back of Urban Expansions success with 'Once Upon A Time In Wigan'. Its nothing to do with the play and the script has been chopped to pieces! What a blatant rip...they know no shame. Always playing the pressing rather than the original!

Born and still living in Wigan, Russ soon became a follower of both Wigan Athletic and Rugby.Attending Wigan Grammar School, Russ played for England Rugby Union Schoolboys and was also a sprinter for his country. He also loves discovering the beautiful aspects of the Lancashire countryside.Growing up as a young Mod loving The Beatles, Small Faces and Motown, Russ started collecting records and especially attracted by black music, became a regular at Blackpool Mecca's northern nights. Progressing to having his own mobile disco, he filled the Wigan Rugby League Club at Central Park two nights and one afternoon a week before founding the legendary Wigan Casino Allnighters on 23 September 1973. Over 4 million people visited the Heart of Soul until it closed on 6 December 1981 to make way for the extension of the Civic Centre... which never happened!Russ hosted three early sessions and a weekly Allnighter at the Club and was responsible for booking the DJs and top acts such as Jackie Wilson, Martha Reeves, Edwin Starr, Elgins, Jnr. Walker, Betty Wright, Tommy Hunt and Major Lance.In 1978 America's Billboard Magazine voted Wigan Casino the World's Best Disco, beating New York's Studio 54 and Russ was also voted the No.1 Soul DJ.Still promoting the scene with his own marketing and entertainments company, Russ has always DJ'd at least three times a week and loves working in radio. In 1977/8 he compiled an album and book relating the Wigan Casino story.The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller frequently ask 'Mr. Wigan Casino' to DJ for them on tour."I've been so very lucky," smiles Russ, "The northern soul scene, music and especially the fabulous friendships I've made have helped it become my way of life. My radio show is such an essential part of 'Spreading the Faith'."Russ has also been working as a consultant to the highly successful play about the Heart of Soul called, "Once Upon A Time In Wigan" due to be filmed soon and another Casino film in 2009, "Souled Out."

paul ...did u write the original play???

It was devised, so the playwright came into rehearsal and myself and the actors improvised and set scenes over a 3 week period..(a lot of hard work!) based on my experience of Wigan and growing up in that period. And also based on my being able to achieve that as a theatre director.

I then commisioned the playwright to go away and put that material into the form of a scripted play. But, alot of the script is scenes that the actors created and improvised in rehearsal, from the work we did..A lot of the scene ideas came from that. The bogs scene, Cafe scene, opening scene, entering Wigan, musical narrative, all of it really came fro me and the actors, thats why it worked. The playwright knew nothing of Wigan and little of the soul scene. His job was to stylise that material into a narrative...and he did a good job. But why do they try to forget and deny where it came from. The character Danny, is based on myself growing up as an apprentice and goin g to Wigan.

The question is will he be playing with himself? lol

The question is will he be playing with himself? lol