Scarborough Ahoy!

A boozy barmaid (Frances Barber) and her newly found gay friend (Con O’Neill) quit London and hightail it to north east England on the lookout for sex and excitement in this multi-award-winning film based on Tennessee Williams’ short story Two on a Party. This sensitive and finally very moving film both celebrates and challenges the unusual relationship between the two characters.

The film, made with the National Film and Television School, makes great use of its locations in Scarborough, Whitby and Redcar, where even a steelworks and an off-season caravan park are bathed in a romantic glow. Although there is little nudity, the film was erotic enough to be screened as part of The Red Light Zone, Channel 4’s season of sex, the following year. The arresting soundtrack is provided by art rock band Cranes. Director Tania Diez, who gets terrific performances from Barber and O’Neill, went on to work in television and photography.