DIVIDED WE STAND SERIES 1 (Pilot Episode) 1980S SITCOM (1986)

EPISODE PLOT: An unscreened pilot, featuring the same script as the first broadcast episode. The main difference is with some of the cast, most notably Michael Robbins playing the role of Bert. Director: Mike Stephens Producers: Mike Stephens WAS Producer George Green WAS Assistant Producer Cast: Anna Keaveney PLAYED Maisie Michael Robbins PLAYED Bert Bill Pertwee PLAYED Jack Maggie McCarthy WAS Rita Margaret Stallard WAS Edna John Forgeham WAS Taxi Driver Stephen Bent WAS Kerb Crawler Pauline Jefferson WAS Doris Joyce Grundy WAS Mary CREW: Production Designer: Paul Montague Costume Designer: Margaret Harwood Makeup Department: Ann Humphreys (make up designer) Second Unit Directors or Assistant Directors: Dona DiStefano WAS Assistant Floor Manager (as Dona Di Stefano) Christopher Miles WAS Floor Manager Art Department: Ian Bate WAS Graphic Designer Sound Department: Dennis Cartwright WAS Film Recordist Francis Cooke WAS Dubbing Mixer Eddie Magrath WAS Sound Camera and Electrical Department: David Jackson WAS Film Cameraman John Pomphrey WAS Lighting Supervisor Dave Taylor WAS Camera Supervisor Editorial Department: Gill Hague WAS Vision Mixer Christine Royle WAS Film Editor Phil Warren WAS Videotape Editor Production Department: Alison Thornber WAS Production Assistant Property Department: Dennis Slater WAS Properties Buyer SERIES PLOT: Short-lived sitcom set in Birmingham and featuring squabbling couple Maisie and Bert. Unable to put up with Bert's behaviour any longer, Maisie decides to divide their house into two separate living spaces. The series was reportedly changed to being set in Birmingham at late notice, the original Liverpool setting altered to avoid clashing with Bread (1986), something which caused issues with the cast having to adopt shaky Birmingham accents at short notice. However, such a "last minute" change was unlikely to have affected the series itself, only the unscreened pilot, which was recorded back in 1986. As many of the cast making the actual series were different, they would have taken part in recording being aware of any such changes beforehand.