Dennis Potter - Blue Remembrances Quiz

Answer: Gloucestershire

He was born on 27 May 1935 in Berry Hill, near Coleford in the Forest of Dean. He moved to London in 1949, and studied at Oxford from 1955 after completing his compulsory National Service. He became involved with drama, politics and writing during his time at university.

Answer: Labour

Dennis stood for the Hertfordshire East constituency. Although Labour won the election, forming a government under Harold Wilson, Dennis was defeated by the Conservative candidate. By the time of the election, he had become so disillusioned with politics he claimed he hadn't even voted for himself!

Answer: Child characters played by adult actors

This is set in the 1940s, in the Forest of Dean, and shows how children act when there is no adult restraint. Among the actors were Michael Elphick, later to appear in 'Boon', Robin Ellis who played the lead in the original 'Poldark' television series and Helen Mirren, who has appeared in many films, including starring in 'The Queen'.

Answer: Bob Hoskins

Bob Hoskins went on to star in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?'. Jeremy Irons voiced 'Scar' in 'The Lion King', Rupert Everett was the voice of 'Prince Charming' in 'Shrek 2' and Ralph Fiennes voiced 'Victor' in 'The Curse of the Were-Rabbit'. 'Roger Rabbit' was different as Bob actually appeared in the film, while the others were voice only. 'Pennies from Heaven' was serialised on the BBC in 1978 and was later filmed with Steve Martin playing the lead role.

Answer: Philip Marlowe

The actual name is Philip E. Marlow in a nod to the correct spelling of the American detective's name of Marlowe. The series was first broadcast on the BBC in 1986 and starred Michael Gambon (now Sir Michael), who took over the role of Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' films from the late Richard Harris. The series also featured Joanne Whalley, later to marry and divorce Val Kilmer.

Answer: Psoriasis

Strictly speaking, it was psoriatic arthropathy, which affected his joints as well. It is thought that the medication taken for this condition may have contributed to the cancer which was to cause his death. The lead character in 'The Singing Detective' was suffering from this complaint.

Answer: Ewan MacGregor

All are well known for their film roles, but it was Ewan MacGregor who played one of the leading roles and was then aged about twenty. The play is set in 1956, during the Suez crisis, and uses Potter's well established music/drama combination, which he had also used in 'Pennies from Heaven' and 'The Singing Detective'.

Answer: Cricket

Sarah played in seven test matches and eight one day internationals between 1984 and 1987 and has one test century to her name. She was a left arm fast bowler and middle order batter.

Answer: Karaoke

The two plays were, by the author's express wish, produced jointly by the BBC and Channel 4 and both starred Albert Finney. In the first play, he is a dying author (as Potter himself was at the time of writing). In the second, set in the 24th century, the author having been cryogenically frozen, scientists are trying to revive his mind. These plays were first shown in 1996.

Answer: Ross-on-Wye

Ross is only a few miles from Berry Hill, where he was born. Dennis died on
7 June 1994 from pancreatic cancer and only nine days after the death of his wife, Margaret, from breast cancer. There are memorial stones to both Dennis and his wife at St Mary's Church in Ross-on-Wye and one of the rooms in the town's library is named after him.