'Once Upon A Time In Wigan': short documentary (the original production of the play 2002-2005)

“Drama lovers can admire the soul of Paul Sadot’s sharply observed production” Alfred Hickling - Guardian 2003

 

 

 

Many people have confused the legendary original production by Paul Sadot and Urban Expansions (Manchester) with productions of the same title that followed, but there was only one sell-out, award nominated, version.

This short documentary captures the Director/Choreographer/Producer personal account of the development of the Urban Expansions Production of ‘Once Upon A Time In Wigan’.

It was originally commissioned by Paul Sadot’s company Urban Expansions Limited and CONTACT Theatre Manchester and first produced, choreographed and staged in 2002-2005 by Paul Sadot (written by Mick Martin).

Following the end of the 2005 tour of the play, Paul moved on to other performance projects. The play underwent minor re-writes, and sometimes major transformations, under various directors and still continues to be staged.

• All copyright to the footage used in this film is owned by Paul Sadot and documents his personal work staging, choreographing and directing the play. No dialogue from the play is included.

 

Contact: https://www.paulsadot.com/contact

A dedicated page with images and narratives about this production can be found here: https://www.paulsadot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-wigan

Commissioned, Produced, Directed and Choreographed by: Paul Sadot

Written by: Mick Martin

Original Urban Expansions Staging Concept by: Paul Sadot

Set Design by Giuseppe & Emma Belli

Score Compiled by: Paul Sadot

 

Edited April 10, 20214 yr by Paul-s
Changed link and updated copyright

Paul. Thanks for sharing this.  The original production at the Contact theatre was so special and it was a privilege to be able to see the play. Like a lot of people it was the soundtrack of my life.

Thanks again 

Steve 

Edited February 3, 20214 yr by Winsford Soul

10 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Paul. Thanks for sharing this.  The original production at the Contact theatre was so special and it was a privilege to be able to see the play. Like a lot of people it was the soundtrack of my life.

Thanks again 

Steve 

Like Steve , big thanks Paul . Denise and I had the priviledge of enjoying the original production and for us it was at the (sellout) Leeds Playhouse . 

Paul, if you were from Grantham our paths must have crossed at some time, I used to hang around with Jean Ellerby and Liz Moore, both from Grantham at allnighters at Peterborough, St. Ives, Kettering, Cleethorpes and Wigan up until late 76 when I joined the Army.  

I was privileged to see the play in the Greenwich Theatre, and managed to purloin a small poster as a memento of the night.  

Thanks,

Dave  

I saw the show in Greenwich and it was amazing. I would never have thought that even 5-6 years earlier that the subject could be successfully made into a stage show, but it was so well done. Much better than most tv/film efforts.

1 hour ago, Tattoodave said:

Paul, if you were from Grantham our paths must have crossed at some time, I used to hang around with Jean Ellerby and Liz Moore, both from Grantham at allnighters at Peterborough, St. Ives, Kettering, Cleethorpes and Wigan up until late 76 when I joined the Army.  

I was privileged to see the play in the Greenwich Theatre, and managed to purloin a small poster as a memento of the night.  

Thanks,

Dave  

best i could do was the cd 

3 hours ago, Andybellwood said:

best i could do was the cd 

I got a CD too Andy, but had to pay for it.

5 hours ago, Tattoodave said:

I got a CD too Andy, but had to pay for it.

yes i paid for mine 2 - wouldn't want anyone to think otherwise . 🤣

Edited February 4, 20214 yr by Andybellwood

8 hours ago, Tattoodave said:

Paul, if you were from Grantham our paths must have crossed at some time, I used to hang around with Jean Ellerby and Liz Moore, both from Grantham at allnighters at Peterborough, St. Ives, Kettering, Cleethorpes and Wigan up until late 76 when I joined the Army.  

I was privileged to see the play in the Greenwich Theatre, and managed to purloin a small poster as a memento of the night.  

Thanks,

Dave  

Yes, we must Dave. Though, I only started in 76. But I did know and travel with Jean and Liz a fair bit and went to all the venues you mention except Kettering. My cousin Anthony (ratty) Price had just dropped out when I started going and maybe he was more your time. Nice one grabbing a poster, I lost them during my many moves. Have one somewhere I think.

 

9 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Yes, we must Dave. Though, I only started in 76. But I did know and travel with Jean and Liz a fair bit and went to all the venues you mention except Kettering. My cousin Anthony (ratty) Price had just dropped out when I started going and maybe he was more your time. Nice one grabbing a poster, I lost them during my many moves. Have one somewhere I think.

 

I vaguely remember Ratty.  Jean was living in New Zealand the last time I was in contact with her.  

So good we saw it twice in Manchester 👍

Thank you....enjoyed the back story...Watched the play at Coventry Belgrade...really enjoyed it....lots there wearing Oxford  bags etc to watch, each to there own!!....thank you for sharing...Rob

On 04/02/2021 at 22:12, Lionelonthevinyl said:

Thank you....enjoyed the back story...Watched the play at Coventry Belgrade...really enjoyed it....lots there wearing Oxford  bags etc to watch, each to there own!!....thank you for sharing...Rob

A bunch of us from Banbury went up to that Coventry performance of the play too. I remember really enjoying the event, especially the sense of atmosphere. 

33 minutes ago, Seano said:

A bunch of us from Banbury went up to that Coventry performance of the play too. I remember really enjoying the event, especially the sense of atmosphere. 

Was a good night Seano for sure.....also you can't beat ordering yourself a beer for the interval!! Reckon there was a "once upon a time in wigan" soul do in Coventry???...Thank you....Rob

Full House in 'ULL' 

ED

Saw it with my late brother in Mansfield. It really was good. Atmospheric, accurate and the cast were superb. Good job Paul!

30 minutes ago, Lionelonthevinyl said:

Was a good night Seano for sure.....also you can't beat ordering yourself a beer for the interval!! Reckon there was a "once upon a time in wigan" soul do in Coventry???...Thank you....Rob

Yes a beer always welcome! I don't remember if there was a follow on soul do.

But the next soul night in Coventry that many of us also went to was at the Jamaican club for The Brothers of Soul. That was a brilliant night; put on by Roger Saint and Robb Moss I think, and I recall that one of the warm-up DJs was John Manship

 

On 06/02/2021 at 20:24, Tomangoes said:

Full House in 'ULL' 

ED

We didn't do Hull. The Hull production was not the original one. Though subsequent productions did, it seems, try to infer it was connected to my 'Urban Expansions' production. It was a remount by Hull Truck in 2012 I think. Totally different staging, music, script had some alterations etc. Original used a large scale stage and set + a large film screen back drop...(images ©paulsadot)

On 06/02/2021 at 20:28, Soulstu said:

Saw it with my late brother in Mansfield. It really was good. Atmospheric, accurate and the cast were superb. Good job Paul!

Thanks. It was close to home that night...(Grantham).

Edited April 8, 20214 yr by Paul-s

Paul. I recently seen this on Instagram and asked Kev was it the original Paul Sadot production as you can see by my question and was it going back out on tour. 

He never got back to me.

Don't know why as Kev normally replies . 

 

 

Edited April 5, 20214 yr by Winsford Soul

9 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Paul. I recently seen this on Instagram and asked Kev was it the original Paul Sadot production as you can see by my question and was it going back out on tour. 

He never got back to me.

Don't know why as Kev normally replies . 

 

 

No, it's absolutely nothing to do with the original and celebrated production by my company in 2003-2005. They often try to confuse re-mounts with the original though, as a marketing tool. This looks like a commercially motivated remount to me. Each to their own.....but accept no substitutes..😉

Once Upon A Time In Wigan is taking place at the Forum Theatre, Stockport July 29-31. 
Following a similar production in Ashton U Lyne in 2019, the company reached out to me to host the After Party which I agreed to do. 
If you haven’t seen it yet, hopefully see you soon.  

18 minutes ago, Goldsoul said:

Once Upon A Time In Wigan is taking place at the Forum Theatre, Stockport July 29-31. 
Following a similar production in Ashton U Lyne in 2019, the company reached out to me to host the After Party which I agreed to do. 
If you haven’t seen it yet, hopefully see you soon.  

Thanks Kev. Not seen this one. Hope to catch it and you soon. Cheers 

5 hours ago, Goldsoul said:

Once Upon A Time In Wigan is taking place at the Forum Theatre, Stockport July 29-31. 
Following a similar production in Ashton U Lyne in 2019, the company reached out to me to host the After Party which I agreed to do. 
If you haven’t seen it yet, hopefully see you soon.  

Just too reiterate...this production is the same only in title as the original that toured the UK under my direction in 2003-2005. It is absolutely nothing to do with the 'original production'. 

This will be a re-imagining of the script which was developed under a commission by my company in 2002/3. Good luck to them, but please avoid any confusion, they are totally different productions.

Just to share some pettiness, that now, I realise might be related to this remount and a desire to erase the memory of the authentic original production.

I was  recently invited to created a small film about the making of the 'original' production for Wigan Museum. I was careful to only use footage of 'my' production at CONTACT theatre, footage that is copyrighted by my company and me. Footage that only shows my staging, direction and choreography. I used no dialogue as that could be viewed as infringing the playwright's copyright (if you were a petty person). I also narrated 'my' true story of the play coming into being, a respectful story that is backed up by the actors, and a documentary made during rehearsals, plus the original Arts Council funding document. Also, by the theatres and their artistic directors that hosted the rehearsal and premiers of the play.

However, Wigan museum were asked by YouTube to remove it as the playwright had complained and said it infringed his copyright. Of course this is total fabrication. So, I shared who the copyright of the footage belonged to with the museum, but alas the playwright had persuaded YouTube that he had a case (which is very easy). It was taken down and Wigan Museum were gutted, as they are not in a position to challenge it as it is against council policy to become involved in legal disputes.

I share this story to demonstrate the petty soullessness of such actions, actions that lead to questions of how a production might have genuine care, empathy and soul behind it if the prevalent desire is to re-write history.

 

Pretty much sums up the Northern Soul Scene.

Freindly rivalry? Not sure I've experienced a lot of that. Wherever money is involved it turns nasty.

Ed

On 06/04/2021 at 15:21, Paul-s said:

Just too reiterate...this production is the same only in title as the original that toured the UK under my direction in 2003-2005. It is absolutely nothing to do with the 'original production'. 

“Drama lovers can admire the soul of Paul Sadot’s sharply observed production” Alfred Hickling - Guardian 2003

This will be a re-imagining of the script which was developed under a commission by my company in 2002/3. Good luck to them, but please avoid any confusion, they are totally different productions.

Just to share some pettiness, that now, I realise might be related to this remount and a desire to erase the memory of the authentic original production.

I was  recently invited to created a small film about the making of the 'original' production for Wigan Museum. I was careful to only use footage of 'my' production at CONTACT theatre, footage that is copyrighted by my company and me. Footage that only shows my staging, direction and choreography. I used no dialogue as that could be viewed as infringing the playwright's copyright (if you were a petty person). I also narrated 'my' true story of the play coming into being, a respectful story that is backed up by the actors, and a documentary made during rehearsals, plus the original Arts Council funding document. Also, by the theatres and their artistic directors that hosted the rehearsal and premiers of the play.

However, Wigan museum were asked by YouTube to remove it as the playwright had complained and said it infringed his copyright. Of course this is total fabrication. So, I shared who the copyright of the footage belonged to with the museum, but alas the playwright had persuaded YouTube that he had a case (which is very easy). It was taken down and Wigan Museum were gutted, as they are not in a position to challenge it as it is against council policy to become involved in legal disputes.

I share this story to demonstrate the petty soullessness of such actions, actions that lead to questions of how a production might have genuine care, empathy and soul behind it if the prevalent desire is to re-write history.

 

 

If anyone is interested in seeing some rare footage from the final show at Greenwich Theatre, London (2004) you can access it here:

https://www.paulsadot.com/once-upon-a-time-in-wigan. (scroll to the bottom of the page)

All copyright to the footage used in this film is owned by Paul Sadot and documents his personal work staging, choreographing and directing the play. No dialogue from the play is included.

Contact: https://www.paulsadot.com/contact

Commissioned, Produced, Directed and Choreographed by: Paul Sadot

Written by: Mick Martin

Original Urban Expansions Staging Concept by: Paul Sadot

Set Design by Giuseppe & Emma Belli

Scored Complied by: Paul Sadot

Edited April 8, 20214 yr by Paul-s

Saw the original at Leeds what an epic night. I'm not old enough to have experienced the Casino ( 54yrs old now) but been all over the scene from 82 onwards. Remember you Paul from Sheridan,s. My better half Yvonne was good friends with Viv and Pet Coulson (rip). Saw the I think 1st copy of it in Oldham about 2008 ??. Not as real or humorous though.

On 16/05/2021 at 22:27, Mssoulie said:

Saw the original at Leeds what an epic night. I'm not old enough to have experienced the Casino ( 54yrs old now) but been all over the scene from 82 onwards. Remember you Paul from Sheridan,s. My better half Yvonne was good friends with Viv and Pet Coulson (rip). Saw the I think 1st copy of it in Oldham about 2008 ??. Not as real or humorous though.

Yes, Leeds was a really incredible run and each night was like a brilliant soul night (like each night of the tour in fact) with audiences creating the atmosphere in synch with the productions soundtrack and staging.

It really is an impossible task to try to replicate a 'production' that came from the soul of the director and hence re-mounts can never reach or realise that, no matter how hard they try. 

For instance, one production used a white band (The Flying Pickets) to create live music instead of using the original tracks. This was unbelievable to me and  totally disrespectful of the plays roots, which was about a love of Black American music and a vinyl obsession. It totally missed the point, the narrative and the soul of the original. 

Anyway, its nothing to do with me and I am sure it will continue to be sold to anyone who wants to pay.

It's great that the original moved so many people and also re-united many souls in the foyer. Thats my reward and payment for doing it and I disconnect with all the re-mounts. They have the same title, but are absolutely nothing to do with the original 'production'. Like poor bootleg pressings v original copies.

Just Asking Paul Is There any way to get old of the play on DVD as I have only been able to watch clips some times on line the good old days in wigan thanks

On 17/06/2024 at 01:58, Gary Eckersley said:

Just Asking Paul Is There any way to get old of the play on DVD as I have only been able to watch clips some times on line the good old days in wigan thanks

Hi Gary,

I do have Manchester Contact and a London show on DVD, but the writer (who was commissioned and paid by myself) and at that time was a long time friend, used an agent that totally screwed me in terms of sharing any footage with dialogue in it. I was naive in terms of contracts and just signed it, based on him being a friend.

They did this because they thought they could cut me out and make money on re-stagings, but, minus the soul of the project,  all of them were a bit feeble and the script was cleaned up and it was even staged with the Flying Pickets singing live...😬

It's interesting that no-one has ever thought to interview me about this entire period. Many like to make assumptions that i made loads of money etc. I actually lost my flat in Manchester and was bankrupted by the third tour due to different entities, like the marketing manager, not doing their jobs.

It grew massively really fast and it was hard to keep up. I was offered a West End staging but they wanted to use 'live' singers and it was not a play about that. It was about 'vinyl obsession', working class politics, Thatcher, apprenticeships, shit housing, love, loss, drugs, escape, my life. Ultimately it was only meant to be a (short run) tribute to the music and musicians, and people, and scene that enabled me to have moments of pure soulful joy in my teens. But, on the first night as the audience cheered, cried, danced and re-united with old friends, we knew we had a phenomenon on our hands. 

At that time NO ONE wanted to help...Wigan Council distanced themselves from the image (now they embrace it) and I was ripped off by quite a few well known people on the scene trying to profit from the play.

Anyway, one day maybe ill get down to writing about this.

It would be nice to hare the DVD but unfortunately I cant.

Best

 

Paul

Oldham Colliseum...original?

Edited June 18, 2024Jun 18 by Owd Codger

It left a lasting impression when l seen it at the Belgrade Coventry June 1-4 2005 felt special as northern was still relatively under the radar at that time, pre mass media and outsiders

I saw it at Mansfield prob c. 2003 I guess, wasn't expecting to like it much but thought it was fabulous - really interesting to hear your comments on it now Paul, and sorry such a good thing ended up being so complicated  

53 minutes ago, Chris Turnbull said:

I saw it at Mansfield prob c. 2003 I guess, wasn't expecting to like it much but thought it was fabulous - really interesting to hear your comments on it now Paul, and sorry such a good thing ended up being so complicated  

Thanks mate.