Ever heard of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - the inspiration for our modern-day music concerts? This is where our comedy series is set – and there will be music. Come and visit. You’ll have a very warm welcome, and perhaps meet a few stars. We’ve had Pavarotti, Katherine Jenkins, Alfi Boe, Van Morrison, Angelina Jolie, Harrison Ford, Richard Burton, Prince Charles, and many more.
A disgraced detective decides to reform (sort of) and go (almost) legit with occasionally assisting his wife at her factory only to face a jealous rival who threatens to destroy him.
THE STORY
Silk and Cotton tells the story of ALASTAIR SILK (50s) a suspended detective under investigation, and his adjustment to life as a fashionable wheeler-dealer (contraband). Not only has he had to relocate to a small town, where his adoring wife has a fashion clothing factory, he now has to put up with her business partner, who is a jealous rival for her affection, and who threatens to do something drastic unless he stays away from the factory, even though if it wasn’t for Silk being a compulsive opportunist, they would have lost a late order, when Silk summons the police to falsely report a robbery and ropes them in to help.
After being suspended for corruption, where it was suspected he was bribed when six women robbed a jewellery store, Silk puts grief behind him and adjusts to life in a picturesque small town, where he occasionally helps his adoring wife in her silk and cotton clothing factory. But this intrusion soon brings him more grief: he invites the hostility of his wife’s business partner, JOSEPH COTTON, a self-righteous hypocrite, who has a blatant unashamed affection for his wife, and who threatens to destroy him unless he stays away from the factory, so as to keep it crime free – crafty. When Silk refuses to bend to Cotton’s will, they begin a struggle, and a kind of contemptuous friendship gradually develops. This is reflected when POLLY, Silk’s wife, announces they are desperate for staff for a late order, and the resourceful Silk takes charge of recruitment in the most unconventional manner: he summons the police to falsely report a robbery and when two CONSTABLES arrive he ropes them in to help. But the gullible bobbies unwittingly touch on a vital coincidence, that the six MACHINISTS (aka St. Trinians gang) might all be Silk’s accomplices.
Silk and Cotton takes its inspiration from well loved comedies of the past – Minder, The Office, mixed with the hilarity of the Carry-on films. It will appeal to all ages who enjoy accident filled moments, hopeless romantics, as well as those who enjoy a good laugh, a few tears, and always a happy ending.
In conclusion, Silk and Cotton focuses on humanitarian responsibilities. In days gone by, people would help one another. A lost purse or wallet often returned. Businesses would be horrified and ashamed to be regarded as deceptive and corrupt, as would Government. Is it any wonder, therefore, that familiarity breeds much of the same! A bunch of humanitarian criminals in a picturesque small town have cottoned on to this and intend to join this increasingly popular club of deception. They are fed-up with sneaky indirect taxation going up and up, while businesses and a busload of billionaires get richer at their expense.
Once the pilot episode is completed we intend to approach commissioners – BBC, itv, and Sky, to fund a further five episodes to complete the series.
Who we are:
Cheryl Davies – Producer
Cheryl has extensive experience in the TV and Film industry that spans over 20 years. Her credits include ‘In My Skin’, ‘Ellen’, ‘The Library Suicides’, ‘Casualty’, ‘Being Human’, ‘Becoming Human’, Patagonia’, ‘Young Dracula’, ‘The Story of Tracy Beaker’, ‘A Mind to Kill’, Y Pris’, and many more.
Anda Podniece – Producer
Anda has fifteen years experience in the entertainment industry. After working on many small projects of various genres she set up her own production company Two Eyes Productions, and has since worked on large projects involving large teams. Anda’s recent credits include short film ‘The Expert,’ music video ‘Behind Closed Doors,’ as well as developing another television comedy, a feature film ‘Dancing Queen,’ and a short film ‘The Roommate,’ and ‘The Great Brexit Gambit.’
Illy Gordon-Hill – Director
Illy has been in the entertainment industry for over thirty five years and has directed many of our favourite television programs such as ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Doctors’, ‘Casualty,’ ‘River City’ and ‘Moving On.’ He has also directed and produced many short films.
Anthony Thomas – Writer
Anthony’s passion for storytelling started as a young boy, listening to his grandmother telling all kinds of stories while huddled up to a roaring fire in the hearth. He lived in a small wooden bungalow near the sea, with no running water or electricity, and whenever there was a storm, the wind howling and trying to get in through boards, the candles flickering, he would always dread the ghostly stories that might be told. His gran used to recite in Eisteddfodau as a young girl, but sadly has now long gone.
He has many projects in various stages of development; several television comedy series; a two part television mini-series; and a feature film – romantic comedy musical, set in the UK and France, about a spoilt young French singer-dancer who is catapulted to the dizzy heights of pop stardom.
Cast we hope to attach:
A young John Savident would be perfect as Silk.
SILK (50s) – An excellent detective, Silk was in a league of his own, but always had a sympathetic attitude towards the petty criminal. A natural team leader, he seldom takes on criticism and never takes no for an answer. Beneath his tough exterior is a soft and adorable husband, who adores his wife and worships the ground she walks on. He is well aware of COTTON’S affection for his wife, but is comfortable in the knowledge that they are inseparable. A humanitarian fiercely opposed to injustice that the mass silently endure, Silk feels justified in helping fight this oppression, but in the process, everyone he encounters become corrupt. He has the ability to gently persuade, and can tell a Rabelaisian story if he thinks the occasion warrants it.
Ty Glaser could be Polly.
POLLY (40s) – A natural businesswoman, Polly has built her business from scratch and took on a business partner, COTTON, to expand the business. She has absolutely no feelings whatsoever of Cotton’s infatuation for her, she is a perfect sophisticated lady. Despite appearances, however, Polly hides a deep sadness, she could never have children of her own, which is probably why she is so fiercely devoted to Silk, and him to her. But she is the one that whispers, and he’s the one who jumps. She is proud of Silk’s humanitarian beliefs.
Tony Gardner would be perfect as Cotton.
COTTON (40s) – A good-intentioned hypocrite, with more money than business acumen, Cotton is very much in love with POLLY, and feels desperately protective of her, showing unashamed affection for her, even though he knows she is already happily married. He has a contemptuous dislike of Silk, fuelled by his puritanical being and jealousy. But were he not such a nice chap, he would not be so affected, and not so easily corruptible. This situation will be an ongoing turmoil for Cotton, until he realises that Silk and Polly were really made for each other.
Danielle Bird Rochelle Hamilton Helen Daniels
Holly Ellis Sophia Capasso Jennie Jacques
MACHINISTS (aka St. Trinians gang) (20s) – It’s not easy balancing the cutthroat world of a machinist with the challenges of being a suspected jewellery thieve, but the Machinists are all modern girls who care more about their model looks and spending time on their phones than worry about trivia. Their aspiration is to become affluent, but to remain within the factory family. The perfect employees, they give no indication whether they’re Silk’s accomplices, not until the end of the series, when it is revealed whether they are or not.
Celine Buckens could be Emily.
EMILY (20) – A polite, honest, and plucky young woman, EMILY has been homeless since her parents moved to live abroad, and has been squatting above a haunted shop for some time, until Silk rescues her and takes her home to meet Polly, and together they offer her a home and an opportunity of work, and to become part of the family. Emily’s attitude to everything is to obey, exaggerate, and be quiet, which has always got her what she wants.
The budget for this pilot episode is £170.000. We are aiming to raise 50% with crowdfunding campaigns, and 50% with other organisations and funding sources. The reason we have divided it up this way is because we feel that our target is far more reachable, rather than relying on one source to raise the full amount.
The funds we raise here will be used to develop the project - compile budget, schedule, location search, contracts and solicitors fees, and so many other minor costs.
We would be very grateful for every little help you are able to afford to our campaign, and we will make every effort to thank and reward you in return. Sharing this campaign with your friends and network could be extremely beneficial. Obviously, the more people who know about our campaign, we will have a better chance of success.
This will be your project, as well as ours.