10YEARS 0 Behind the scenes and out of the closet t The BBC soap Doctors marks the centenary with a controversial storyline that brings the image of the WI bang up to date Words Jamie mCLOUGHLIN Photography FRANK WOOD SEPTEMBER/DOCTORS.indd 2 12/08/2015 10:36 WI Life September 2015 27 On location with Doctors, filming the episode called A Very Reverend Institution, which features a fictional WI's call for equality he BBC drama Doctors isn’t merely Midlands town on any map. It’s the fictional several days now and key scenes during our going to overturn TV’s usual setting for the BBC One lunchtime drama, visit involve formidable-but-fair health centre assumptions about the WI – an episode five doses a week of tales from The Mill receptionist Mrs Tembe (Lorna Laidlaw) this month will place the stereotype Health Centre. A Warwickshire Federation and her Mill colleagues Dr Niamh Donoghue in the largest available jam jar, roll it trustee, she has worked on the show since the (Jessica Regan), and Nurse Ayesha Lee down Birmingham New Street and kick it series’ launch in early 2000 and made the (Laura Rollins). They are cleaning the church straight into the nearest canal. WI the focus of an episode to be shown in the hall as a favour for the new vicar, Reverend t‘I’ve worked on it since almost the birthday week. Derek Hogan, when they are surprised by a beginning so I’ve been privy to a lot of I am on set for the filming of A Very contingent from the WI. episodes,’ says script editor Terry Barker, Reverend Institution. It’s a sweltering early They want to confront the clergyman who is also a WI member. ‘They have marked June morning and series regular Owen over his reluctance to discuss WI members all sorts of centenaries, from Shakespeare Brenman (usually playing the dickie-bowed Ruth and Maya and their wish to have a to World War 1. So, I said to the programme's Dr Heston Carter) is in jeans, shirt and sunhat church wedding. The entire WI, led by team that they really should mark the to direct scenes at a Quaker meeting hall in the determined Maureen Whittaker (Joan centenary of the WI. It’s very cool these days.’ Selly Oak, round the corner from the series’ Blackham) supports the couple, sparking Terry is one of the most respected names production base at Birmingham University. a debate about marriage equality. in Letherbridge. Not that you’ll find the They’ve been filming around the city for ‘Some of the scenes we did yesterday SEPTEMBER/DOCTORS.indd 3 12/08/2015 10:36 WI Life September 2015 28 Filming in action Below: Mrs Tembe, the receptionist (standing) is played by Lorna Laidlaw, and Joan Blackham plays WI stalwart Maureen Whittaker were really emotional,’ says Lorna. Once together, offering a support network.’ The the vicar agrees to listen to the WI, an WI President is portrayed by Joan Blackham, impromptu debate about gay marriage an original member of the cast of the is chaired by Dr Donoghue, a character Calendar Girls stage show. who is still absorbing the news that her Jessica Regan joined Team Letherbridge own brother has come out. in May last year as the warm, quirky and With Mrs Tembe’s marriage having occasionally chaotic Niamh Donoghue. crumbled when it became clear her husband Filming takes place less than two weeks was gay, there’s a clash of opinions. ‘I after Ireland’s referendum on gay marriage. think the WI being involved is an amazing ‘One of the lines,’ Jessica says, ‘is “We’ve twist,’ Lorna continues. In real life the listened to our members over the last 100 WI, of course, is a determinedly secular years and we’ve changed with the times. TEAR IT UP AND START AGAIN organisation – the episode is about Can’t the church do the same?”, and you’ll members supporting each other, not a see the answer. It’s a beautifully written Veteran Doctors writer Philip religious debate. episode. Recently, Ireland voted “Yes” for Ralph lists 34 instalments of ‘People have a stereotypical view of what equality in marriage, but gay people still the series on his CV. When he the WI is, such as knitting, crocheting and can’t get married in a church. The WI’s needlecraft but I’ve heard of a fantastic attitude in this episode hugely reflects that was first approached for this WI in Balsall Heath where they go rock at home, which is that love is a great thing WI episode, he thought he climbing and canoeing and do very unusual and should be celebrated. Who are we to tell knew what it would be about. sports. The WI is one of those things that two adults what they can and can’t do? But script editor Terry Barker has moved on,’ adds Lorna. ‘It was emotional for Niamh and for me One of the main characters in this tale is to do this,’ Jessica continues. ‘It paints the wanted something new. Maya (played by newcomer Leila Ayad), a WI in a progressive, interesting light – ‘Terry is a long-term WI tattoo-strewn former circus acrobat intent tolerant and all-embracing.’ With more than member and when I came up on Rev Hogan’s blessing for her wedding 212,000 members, clearly in real life not with a stereotyped idea – such to Ruth. Her story strikes a chord with everyone will share the same point of view series regular, Ayesha. Laura has played the on every issue, but Terry’s plan to show the as a bake off – she told me to nurse since 2014. WI in a different light has been achieved. look at what the WI is,’ he says. ‘Before, Ayesha probably thought the WI ‘In my mind, Philip Ralph captured it ‘It soon became clear that its was a stuffy, boring institution,’ she says. exactly,’ says Terry. ‘There is that element ‘But once she meets Maya, she goes, “OK… of support from members going forward work is so broad that it shaped you’re more on my wavelength than some of into the next century. It has always been a the script and brought in the the other people in the room…” forward-thinking organisation – we were gay marriage element. Writing ‘Maya finds solace in the WI as she campaigning about venereal disease in the this has changed my perception doesn’t have much in terms of a family,’ 1920s – but this is a current issue and adds Laura, ‘so Ayesha draws parallels and, if you have a soap going out daily, you want of the WI now I know what a starts to think about what the WI does and to include an episode like this.’ campaigning body it is.’ how empowering it can be, having women Doctors, BBC One, 15 September, 1.45pm. SEPTEMBER/DOCTORS.indd 4 12/08/2015 10:37.