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The series charted the ups and downs of two young, single women sharing a flat in Huskisson Street, Liverpool.
Originally the 'two liver birds' were Dawn (Pauline Collins) and Beryl (Polly James), but after five episodes Dawn moved on
(or, rather, moved out) and was replaced by Sandra (Nerys Hughes), a pairing that resulted in the series' most popular period.
Beryl is chatty and scatty, whilst Sandra is softly spoken and refined. The two women are united in their common
interests; men and romance, rent money and cash flow, family traumas and fashion.
At the end of the fourth series James left the cast (Beryl got married) and she was replaced by Carol (Elizabeth Estensen)
who stayed throughout the remaining 1970s episodes.
Cast
Polly James (Beryl Hennessey, Series 1 - 4, 10), Pauline Collins (Dawn, Series 1), Nerys
Hughes (Sandra Hutchinson, Series 2 - 10), Elizabeth Estensen (Carol Boswell, Series 5
- 9), Sheila Fay (Mrs Hennessey, Series 1 - 2), Cyril Shaps (Mr Hennessey, Series 1 - 2),
George Layton (Joe), Mollie Sugden (Mrs Hutchinson, Series 2 -10), Ivan
Beavis (Mr Hutchinson, Series 2 - 3), Mike Lucas (Gerry), John Nettles (Paul),
Michael Angelis (Lucien Boswell), Ronald Allen (Derek Harley, Series 2, Episode 8).
Production Team
Writers: Carla Lane, Myra Taylor, Lew Schwarz, Jack Seddon, David Pursall
Producers: Sydney Lotterby, Douglas Argent, Roger Race
Directors: Ray Butt, Douglas Argent, Angela de Chastelai Smith
Production Details
Episode Original Airdate: 25 February 1971 (Season 2, Episode 8)
Series First Transmitted: 14 April 1969
Trivia
The series was created by two Liverpool housewives, Carla Lane and Myra Taylor, who based the early scripts on their
own lives. Because they had no previous writing experience, the BBC required them to work with script editor Eric Idle
(of Monty Python fame).
The programme was revived in 1996 with Beryl and Sandra now coping with the aftermath of failed marriages. The
revival was unsuccessful and no further episodes were made.
The series theme song was sung by the Scaffold, a group that included Paul McCartney's brother Mike.
Links for The Liver Birds
Click here for photos of The Liver Birds
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