Blood on the Dole
Synopsis
Alan Bleasdale's touching yet frank drama for Channel 4 about the struggles of a group of young adults leaving school in a deprived area of Liverpool. Starring Stephen Walters, Suzanne Maddock and Amanda Mealing. Based on the acclaimed play by Jim Morris, voted Most Promising Playwright by the Financial Times and Morning Star in 1981. Blood on the Dole shows the lives of four teenagers, two boys and two girls, struggling to cope after being thrust into the real world for the first time after leaving school. Living in deprived Merseyside, the four youths' bright-eyed optimism for their futures and new-found freedom is soon crushed by the realities of unemployment, poverty, and the brutal reality of living and trying to find work in a city in decline. They all soon find themselves in the hopeless situation of facing complete dependence on state handouts, "the dole". The four teenagers instead find themselves turning to each other to find the strength to survive.
Top Cast
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Stephen Walters
Joey Jackson
Philip Dowd
Ricky Jones
Suzanne Maddock
Cathy Thompson
Rachel Caldwell
Jean Kavanagh
Aneirin Hughes
David Williams
Jake Abraham
Paul Price
Rachel Maxwell
Tracey Ryan
Amanda Mealing
Laura
Gill West
Jobcentre Receptionist
Jodie Draper
Jobcentre Receptionist
Andrew Schofield
Post Office Supervisor
Alan Igbon
Art Gallery Attendant
Kevin Knapman
Dealer
Dilys Price
Mrs Williams
Elwyn Hughes
Mr Williams
Noreen Kershaw
Aunty Vera
Ray Gravell
Anton
Dorien Thomas
Emrys
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Pip Broughton
- Screenplay & Story
- Jim Morris
- Original Title
- Blood on the Dole
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English, Welsh
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Pip Broughton
Jim Morris
Alan Bleasdale
Department Leadership Roster
Pip Broughton
Director
Jim Morris
Writer
Alan Bleasdale
Producer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Blood on the Dole.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Blood on the Dole
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Blood on the Dole about?
Alan Bleasdale's touching yet frank drama for Channel 4 about the struggles of a group of young adults leaving school in a deprived area of Liverpool. Starring Stephen Walters, Suzanne Maddock and Amanda Mealing. Based on the acclaimed play by Jim Morris, voted Most Promising Playwright by the Financial Times and Morning Star in 1981. Blood on the Dole shows the lives of four teenagers, two boys and two girls, struggling to cope after being thrust into the real world for the first time after leaving school. Living in deprived Merseyside, the four youths' bright-eyed optimism for their futures and new-found freedom is soon crushed by the realities of unemployment, poverty, and the brutal reality of living and trying to find work in a city in decline. They all soon find themselves in the hopeless situation of facing complete dependence on state handouts, "the dole". The four teenagers instead find themselves turning to each other to find the strength to survive.
Who directed Blood on the Dole?
Blood on the Dole was directed by Pip Broughton.
Who stars in Blood on the Dole?
The principal cast of Blood on the Dole includes Stephen Walters, Philip Dowd, Suzanne Maddock, Rachel Caldwell, Aneirin Hughes.
When was Blood on the Dole released and how long is it?
Blood on the Dole was released in 1994 with a total runtime of 1h 30m.