In Bag of Yeast, much to the consternation of his working class Liverpudlian family, Tony Scannell has made the decision to be ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Priest. Although the drama builds to the moment Tony is ordained much of the drama flashes back to key moments that led to that moment. Not least having to give up girlfriend Margaret (played by Alison Steadman).
Neville Smith who stars as Tony, also wrote the script. Although predominantly an actor Smith has also notched up a dozen writing credits, his best known being the script for Albert Finney starring movie Gumshoe. Smith himself had considered entering the priesthood when a young man.
The weeks TV Times had a feature on the 150 or so young men a year who go through the process of becoming a priest. It was a seven year process and there was a high drop out rate amongst candidates.
production details
UK / ITV – Granada / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast 22 February 1976
Writer: Neville Smith / Production Design: Mike Grimes / Producer: Michael Dunlop / Director: Michael Grigsby
Series: Red Letter Day Episode 7 of 7
cast
Neville Smith as Tony Scannell
Peter Kerrigan as James Scannell
Gladys Ambrose as Amelia Scannell
Jimmy Coleman as Brendan Scannell
Bill Dean as Teddy Kavanagh
Alison Steadman as Margaret
Alison Chantler as Kathleen
Mike Hayden as Bishop
Ernie Mack as Father Roll
Eric Mason as Monsignor
Tommy Roby as Senior Priest
Sue Cornell as Girl Student