Elstree Studios, January 21 2018

The year-long celebration of The Prisoner’s half-century continues with an evening of celebrity and crew Q and As.

Frankly, who doesn’t want to be in Elstree Studios? If the legacy of countless hours of ITC drama isn’t enough to hit the nostalgia button, surely being in the grounds of Star Wars’ first studios is a good reason. And so a crowd of The Prisoner fans (I think we’ve managed to avoid a name like Whovians or Trekkers) passed through the hallowed studio gates to spend the evening with like-minded enthusiasts.

Of course, if you wanted to make the most of the day you could have first joined the walking tour of the locale led by Dave Lally, walking around the housing estate built on top of Borehamwood Studios where The Prisoner was filmed, or snapping photos of the shops that appeared in episode The Girl Who Was Death. Unfortunately, only road signs and plaques give away much of the locale’s legacy, though there’s a tree in the Toby Carvery car park that can also be spotted in the western town featured in Living in Harmony. The soundstages, backlot and clock tower might have been torn down, but the tree survived. The bad weather meant that the tour was inevitably cut short, but the highlights were covered off before rain stopped play.

The main auditorium for the main event featured original props and costumes, many of which haven’t been seen publicly for over 20 years. A striped cape, the Butler’s tea trolley and No. 6’s suede western jacket proudly adorned mannequins alongside original production paintings by Jack Shampan and a penny farthing No. 31 badge – a real treasure trove of ephemera.

Following an introduction by Elstree Chairman Morris Bright, co-hosts Rick Davy and Dave Jones welcomed the audience, recalling that they hadn’t held an event like this for over 10 years, but they are natural raconteurs and kept things moving nicely, asking the questions of their guests.

First up was series editor John S Smith and assistant editor Ian L Rakoff, the latter also having the distinction of writing the story for an episode, Living in Harmony, a credit shared on-screen with David Tomblin. He recalled the terrifying two-hour interview that McGoohan put him through, it being a common theme throughout the evening that the star was a formidable presence.

Director Chris Rodley talked about his new documentary In My Mind a tale of how he as a young film-maker took a film crew to LA to interview Patrick McGoohan, which didn’t turn out as expected. This new film has given him the opportunity to add a fresh perspective to what happened and why. The film includes some colour, location cine-film footage by young holidaymaker Keith Rodgerson, and he also joined Chris on stage, recalling the day he watched McGoohan being driven around Portmeirion’s Battery Square in a Mini Moke.

Next up, director and Moviedrome host Alex Cox talked about the writing of his new book I am (Not) a Number, and memories of watching the show on its first airing in 1967. He explained how a more recent re-watching of the episodes in original production order (as opposed to transmission order) helped him crack the code as to what the show is all about.

Brian Gorman prowled across the stage, performing extracts from his Everyman Patrick McGoohan performance and graphic novel, and shared some information about his upcoming one-man James Bond show. And then writer of the Big Finish The Prisoner audio plays (and Dalek performer) Nick Briggs talked about how he found his new No. 6, refused to divulge who it nearly might have been, and how a disastrous stage tour of Brideshead Revisited led him to Mark Elstob.

Rick then spent some time chatting to Paul Welsh, the man who saved Elstree Studios. He recalled touring the deserted multi-acre site, saving what he could from the abandoned facility, which was now a ghost town.

For the final session, film librarian Tony Sloman and director John (The Legend of Hell House, Twins of Evil) Hough shared anecdotes about McGoohan, the latter having directed him in the movie Brass Target. Tony shared some original call sheets and other paperwork from The Prisoner, as well as proudly displaying his door sign from MGM Studios.

For a three-hour show, not including the optional walking tour, the £20 admission was excellent value, with profits going to Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospice. It really was a professional event, with a great range of guests each offering a unique perspective on what The Prisoner means to them.

Verdict: A perfect companion to Network’s Fall In event, this mini convention was a Prisoner aficionado’s treat – let’s hope Rick and Dave don’t make us wait 10 years for the next one. 9/10

Nick Joy