Author Archives: 5064 Productions

The Prophet

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The Prophet
Dramatised by Robert Muller

Based on ‘Reason’ by Isaac Asimov

“Let them see the Truth, we ask it in the name of him you have appointed… your prophet.” 

Lost for over 50 years, this classic Out of the Unknown episode is being faithfully recreated and refilmed to celebrate ground-breaking science-fiction author Isaac Asimov’s centenary. ‘r

Robot psychologist Dr. Susan Calvin has seen many strange developments across her career, but robot QT-1 might just be the strangest. 

QT-1 decides that humankind could not possibly have constructed itself, or the other robots on a remote space station, as humans, according to QT-1, lack the necessary skillset. Instead, QT-1 turns its attention to it’s true ‘master’, the power source at the heart of the space station..

Coming 2021. 

Written by Robert Muller
Based on Reason by Isaac Asimov
Produced by Christian Tarpey
Executive Producer Gareth Kavanagh

We Apologise for the Inconvenience Audio

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“What fun, excellent writing, very much in Douglas’s vein and a convincing insight into the workings of his mind.”

Simon Jones, “Arthur Dent”

The smash-hit play about Douglas Adams’ war with words comes to audio in this professionally recorded adaptation featuring the cast of the play!

It’s 1984 and author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams has been locked away in a hotel by his publisher to finish his new book, already months late.

But with a whole universe of distractions, including a talking plastic duck who knows far too much about him, is finishing the book infinitely improbable?

Listen to an extract from the play below:

The play will shortly be available on CD featuring bonus interviews with cast and crew and limited edition gatefold vinyl. Keep watching @5064Productions on Twitter for when these go on sale.

Cast:

Adam Gardiner – Douglas Adams
Rob Stuart-Hudson – The Duck
Jim Burke – The Narrator

Stuart and Dumplings – Live Today!

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Our lockdown film, produced in conjunction with Bamalam Productions CIC is out today! 

Featuring actor Sam Barnard (who has also contributed to the script), Stuart and Dumplings is a direct response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and has been produced entirely over video conferencing software with cast and crew working remotely.

Also starring Mina Anwar (The Thin Blue Line, The Sarah Jane Adventures) and Louise Jameson (Doctor Who, Eastenders), this touching short film looks at a video call between Stuart, a young man with Down’s Syndrome and Khadija, his social worker and care manager. But when Grandma joins the call, the ensuing conversation is funny and moving, and lays down the stresses and strains of lockdown. 

All the cast and crew filmed remotely, and the film was written and designed with remote recording in mind. Written by regular Room 5064 contributor Ian Winterton, with input from actor Sam Barnard, who plays Stuart, the film is being made to raise awareness and funds for the Down’s Syndrome Association. 

A spokesperson for the charity said: “After reading the charming script we are really looking forward to watching this short film. We think many people will relate to it as the story reflects what many families have experienced in recent months. We are very grateful to the Stuart and Dumplings team for deciding to make the film freely available but asking their audience to donate to the DSA – thank you.” 

You can donate to the Down’s Syndrome Association here.

Stuart and Dumplings is available to view on our Youtube Channel.

The film is directed by Gemma North, produced by Lauren Sturgess and James Steventon of Bamalam Productions and, for Room 5064, Ian Winterton and Matt Charlton. Executive Producer is Gareth Kavanagh, Creative Director of Room 5064 Productions.

Stuart and Dumplings

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Set during the current Covid-19 crisis, and filmed under lockdown using Zoom video conferencing software, the film tells the story of Stuart, a young man with Down’s Syndrome who’s receiving an online cooking lesson from his grandmother, with his social worker/care manager, Khadija, also in on the call.

The ensuing conversation is both funny and moving, as it lays bare the stresses and strains of life in lockdown. Written as a direct response to the current crisis, the film is designed to be shot using only laptop webcams, with all cast and crew continuing to isolate throughout. 

Made to raise awareness and funds for the Down’s Syndrome Association. All donations will go to the Down’s Syndrome Association: Please give generously.

Cast:

Sam Barnard as Stuart
Mina Anwar as Khadija
Louise Jameson as Grandma

Crew:

Written by Ian Winterton
Video Editing by Samuel Edward-Taylor
Audio Editing by James Steventon
Assistant Director – Lauren Sturgess
Music by Beccy Owen
Producers – James Steventon, Lauren Sturgess, Matt Charlton and Ian Winterton
Director – Gemma North
Executive Producer – Gareth Kavanagh

A Room 5064 and Bamalam Co-Production.

Stop Pretending

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Coming to Manchester and Edinburgh in 2021

Written by Mark Griffiths

It’s 1964 and brilliant young writer Dennis Potter (future author of Pennies From Heaven and The Singing Detective) becomes entangled in the life of a troubled young woman when they meet in the waiting room of a London hospital.

Both possess terrible secrets. And both must face their terrifying consequences.

This dark new play is both a tribute to the genius of much-loved playwright Dennis Potter and a testament to the remarkable power of the human imagination. 

Affirmative

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Coming to Manchester and Edinburgh in 2021

Written by Ian Winterton

1979. Adam, 18 fulfills his childhood dream by landing a traineeship on Doctor Who. Although he gets to make coffee for the Doctor himself, Tom Baker, Adam is mostly tasked with lugging not-so-robot dog K-9 about. And then K-9 starts talking – but only Adam can hear him.

When Michael, Adam’s lifelong friend gets cast as a monster and starts dating beautiful actress Clarissa, Adam realises it’s time to grow up. But is confiding in K-9 really the best route into adulthood? Or is Adam ready to face the awful truth – that there’s more to life than Doctor Who?

Philip Larkin: Masterspy

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Coming to Manchester and Edinburgh in 2021

Written by Mark Griffiths

1985, Hull. Famed poet and librarian Philip Larkin has been unexpectedly selected by Margaret Thatcher for a vital espionage mission, serving Queen and country during a state visit by Soviet Premiere Mikhail Gorbachev. Can our budding masterspy restore the balance of power in the arms race AND be home in time for the late library returns? The clock is ticking.

A premiere of a brand new script by Mark Griffiths, author of the acclaimed play about Douglas Adams, “We Apologise For The Inconvenience”.

Cutaway Comics

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Cutaway Comics is a new Manchester-based comic imprint featuring contributions from many of the key Room 5064 team.

Launching in July 2020, the imprint’s launch title Lytton looks at one of the most enigmatic villains from the worlds of BBC TV’s Doctor Who and spins him off into his own universe.

Written by acclaimed Doctor Who author Eric Saward and with art from 2000 AD’s Barry Renshaw, the four issue mini-series spins off Doctor Who villain Lytton into his own universe – one where his jazz club plays good music and serves the finest food – everything is perfect. Except for the alien technology surfing the streets and the small matter of the strange noises in the sewers…

As part of Cutaway Comics offering, each issue bought directly from us includes a free DVD with content from the Room 5064 archive alongside newly-commissioned content including exclusive audio commentaries on the comics, as well as newly recorded commentaries on classic Doctor Who and Gangsters episodes – with more surprises to come!

Cutaway Comics is planning to launch three mini-series as part of it’s first chapter. The titles are:

  • Lytton written by Eric Saward, with art by Barry Renshaw
  • Omega: Vengeance written by Mark Griffiths with art by John Ridgway
  • Paradise Towers: Paradise Found written by Sean Mason, artist TBC

To purchase the comics, and for further information please go to www.cutawaycomics.co.uk

The Hungry Moon

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On the black moors of northern England in the shadow of an modern missile base, a band of Druids enact their pagan rites… Rites which unleash a nightmare vision of two unspeakable horrors – ancient supernatural evil and  nuclear catastrophe…

Room 5064 Productions are producing a full cast audio drama adaptation of classic folk horror novel The Hungry Moon, with permission and input from its legendary author Ramsey Campbell. 

First published in 1986, The Hungry Moon won the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel. Set in an isolated Peak District village, it brilliantly combines the fear of a nuclear holocaust with the resurgence of an ancient supernatural evil. 

Ramsey Campbell is an English horror fiction writer, editor and critic who has been writing for well over 50 years. He is the author of over 30 novels and hundreds of short stories, many of them widely considered classics in the field. 

THE HUNGRY MOON by Ramsey Campbell, dramatized for audio by Ian Winterton, will be produced by Ian Winterton and Room 5064’s Creative Director Gareth Kavanagh and is scheduled to be released as a full-cast 140-minute audio drama in October 2020 with an RRP of £12.99 for download, or £15.99 for a double CD with download.

We Apologise for the Inconvenience Script Book

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“We Apologise turns crisis into comedy by getting under the skin and into the mindset of a man with a singular brain, whose achievements are as towering as his six foot five frame..”

James Gent, We Are Cult

The hit play about Douglas Adams struggles with deadlines and life, the universe and everything come to this script book.

The script book includes an introduction from author Mark Griffiths and an extended afterword from Adams’ lifelong friend and comedian Jon Cater.

96pp, perfect bound paperback.

We Apologise for the Inconvenience is available direct from the author for £5 plus postage. Order from here.