Nuts in May (Play for Today)

For the rhyme, see Nuts in May (rhyme). For the film featuring Stan Laurel's first appearance, see Nuts in May (film).

Nuts in May is a television film written and directed by Mike Leigh, originally broadcast as part of the BBC's Play for Today series on 13 January 1976. It is the comical story of a nature-loving and rather self-righteous couple's exhausting battle to enjoy what they perceive to be the idyllic camping holiday. Misunderstandings, awkward clashes of values and explosive conflicts occur when less high-minded guests pitch their tents nearby.

Plot summary

The main couple, childlike Candice Marie (Alison Steadman) and eccentric Keith (Roger Sloman), arrive at the campsite and pitch their tent in a quiet spot suitable for appreciating nature's wonders while keeping other human beings safely at arm's length. Their usual routine (which includes performing their own guitar-banjo compositions, preparing healthy vegetarian dinners and following the Country Code) is rudely interrupted by Ray (Anthony O'Donnell), a lone student who camps down nearby and switches on his radio which is treated by the couple as an unforgivable crime and they force Ray to turn it off. Later, on the way home after a trip to Stair Hole, it begins to rain and the couple notice a figure (which turns out to be Ray) walking along the road and give him a lift home.

Their relationship becomes increasingly tense and tempers flare when Keith notices Candice Marie exhibiting an unseemly interest in Ray's well-being. Later, Ray is asked to take a photograph of the couple but is patronised by Keith and Candice Marie and is forced to participate in a song at Keith's behest. As soon as some kind of order seems to have been restored, Brummie couple Finger and Honky arrive on their motorbike, equipped with an army tent, a football and a fondness for late-night drinking. Needless to say, Keith is tested to the limit. Finally, Keith and Candice Marie leave the campsite after an intense argument over Finger's plans to light a fire to cook some sausages. Keith highly objects to this, as it contravenes the rules of the site, and resorts to violence in order to stop it.

Themes

In keeping with Leigh's other films, Nuts in May serves as a commentary on many of the daily issues faced by normal people, in this case with particular emphasis on neighbour relations. Keith may have the full weight of the law on his side when he reprimands the other campers for their thoughtless, and sometimes reckless, behaviour, but he lacks the compassion, communication skills and understanding of human nature required to have them willingly acknowledge their mistakes. Also, while Keith becomes irritated with almost every human contact others seem to be able to deal with others without these problems. 'Better than being at home, innit', utters Finger to Honky after one particularly fierce bust up that leaves Keith incandescent. This particularly resonates since Finger, a plasterer, has already confessed to Ray that, due to the shortage of new housing, there is little work available. The couple only actually find peace when they pitch their tent in a farmer's field, away from other people.

It is also interesting to note the parent-child style relationship between Keith and Candice Marie, who appear not to have any form of sexual relationship at all. Candice Marie - who tellingly works in a toy shop - takes on the role of the innocent child, one who needs looking after and who is constantly confused and intrigued by her surroundings. Likewise, Keith assumes a paternal role, planning out their trip with almost militaristic precision.

Cast (alphabetical)

• Eric Allan as Quarryman
• Stephen Bill as Finger
• Richenda Carey as Miss Beale
• Matthew Guinness as Farmer
• Richard Ireson as Policeman
• Sheila Kelley as Honky
• Anthony O'Donnell as Ray
• Roger Sloman as Keith
• Alison Steadman as Candice Marie
• Sally Watts as Farm-Girl

Locations

The film is set, and was filmed in its entirety, in the geologically and historically rich Isle of Purbeck area of Dorset in South West England. The characters visit a number of significant points of interest including Corfe Castle, Stair Hole, Kimmeridge, Lulworth Cove and the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. The location was chosen at the suggestion of the producer David Rose who came from Purbeck: "I told him about the quarries in the district and asked him to film everything out of doors, under the skies; he reneged only slightly on this condition - there is one sequence of about one minute twenty seconds, in the Greyhound pub near Corfe Castle, and one short scene in a tioilet. Apart from that, the only interiors are those of some very small tents." The camp site used for filming was Woodland Camping Park, just outside Corfe Castle and is still used as a camp site today.

Reputation

Nuts in May was ranked 49th in the British Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes. Despite being one of Mike Leigh's lesser known films, Nuts in May is highly regarded and often quoted, and as such it could be said to have achieved cult status. Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer chose the film to end At Home with Vic and Bob (1993), which was an evening of programmes scheduled by the duo.

External links

• British Film Institute Screen Online
• Nuts in May at IMDb