O/T - Three Salons at the Seaside

Toastrack

Toastrack

Well-known member
Nearly 30 years ago the BBC made this documentary about three hairdressers in Blackpool following life and events — or non-events, really — at Vanity Box, Mary’s Way and Tricia’s (a bit of Googling suggests these may have been near Preston Old Road, Gynn Square and Ball St).

Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, who went on to become a Bafta-winning director best known for Call the Midwife and The Crown, the Guardian deemed it “a brilliant piece of observational documentary”

“The appeal of Three Salons is its gentleness and the comic timing and gossiping of the customers.
A restrained, meditative and brilliant portrait of a community of older women who are witty, warm and full of gossip” – Sunday Times

Available on iPlayer for over a year, where it’s become a word-of-mouth hit.
 
Marys Way now masquerading as Salon K on the corner of Empress Drive and Holmfield Road.
Vanity Box still in St Leonards Road but now surrounded by houses rather than retails premises.
Tricia's was in Ball Street.
 
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Toastrack said:
Nearly 30 years ago the BBC made this documentary about three hairdressers in Blackpool following life and events — or non-events, really — at Vanity Box, Mary’s Way and Tricia’s (a bit of Googling suggests these may have been near Preston Old Road, Gynn Square and Ball St).

Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, who went on to become a Bafta-winning director best known for Call the Midwife and The Crown, the Guardian deemed it “a brilliant piece of observational documentary”

“The appeal of Three Salons is its gentleness and the comic timing and gossiping of the customers.
A restrained, meditative and brilliant portrait of a community of older women who are witty, warm and full of gossip” – Sunday Times

Available on iPlayer for over a year, where it’s become a word-of-mouth hit.
Click to expand...
I had my ears pierced at the Vanity Box for my 7th birhday in 1977. I also had a very very uneven Purdey haircut there.

Grew up just down the road. It was St Leonard’s road FY3.
 
Toastrack said:
Nearly 30 years ago the BBC made this documentary about three hairdressers in Blackpool following life and events — or non-events, really — at Vanity Box, Mary’s Way and Tricia’s (a bit of Googling suggests these may have been near Preston Old Road, Gynn Square and Ball St).

Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, who went on to become a Bafta-winning director best known for Call the Midwife and The Crown, the Guardian deemed it “a brilliant piece of observational documentary”

“The appeal of Three Salons is its gentleness and the comic timing and gossiping of the customers.
A restrained, meditative and brilliant portrait of a community of older women who are witty, warm and full of gossip” – Sunday Times

Available on iPlayer for over a year, where it’s become a word-of-mouth hit.
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting, I’ve just watched this. Very evocative, funny, moving and gentle.
 
Early cameo from Chris the pieman - used to sort Bloomfield road out at around the same time. Worked in the west of my memory serves me correctly
 
Caroline Aherne had it on loop in her office apparently.
Only 30 years ago but it's like stepping back on another planet.
 
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