Obituary: Roy Minton

The writer Roy Minton, who has passed away at 90, was renowned as a radical and uncompromising television talent. He formed a famous partnership with director Alan Clarke, a collaboration that resulted in the controversial 1977 television play “Scum.” This piece depicted brutal violence within a borstal, executed by both inmates and warders.

Minton initially wrote the character Carlin, the dominant figure among the young offenders, as a Glaswegian. However, Ray Winstone, who was recently expelled from drama school and hailed from East London, secured the role after impressing Clarke with his aggressive demeanor during auditions.

BBC One’s controller Bill Cotton and the corporation’s director of programs, Alasdair Milne, decided to cancel the screening of “Scum” after viewing its violent scenes. These scenes included a male rape leading to a suicide, rioting, and Winstone’s character using a sock filled with snooker balls to attack another inmate.

Minton defended “Scum” as “hard, violent and disturbing,” but stressed that it was based on real incidents relayed to him by around 100 people, including boys, staff, parents, and a governor. He remarked that the research process was “excruciatingly painful.” Milne, however, argued that the extent of violence in the 90-minute film was a distortion of borstal life.

When the rights reverted to Minton, Clarke remade “Scum” as a 1979 feature film. This version contributed to the movement that led to the abolition of borstals in 1982. The original television version was eventually broadcast during Channel 4’s 1991 Banned season. Both versions of “Scum” continue to serve as powerful criticisms of a flawed British institution.

Minton’s professional relationship with Clarke began through an introduction facilitated by Minton’s agent. Clarke started directing short plays for ITV and subsequently introduced Minton to Rediffusion’s head of scripted series, Stella Richman. She accepted two of Minton’s submissions, and Clarke directed both “The Gentleman Caller” (1967) and “Goodnight Albert” (1968).

Minton and Clarke shared similar backgrounds, both having grown up in working-class environments in Nottingham for Minton and Liverpool for Clarke. Each had early work experience in mining—Minton in coal and Clarke in gold in Canada—which further cemented their bond.

Paul Knight, the associate producer of the Half Hour Story series, described Minton as a “conscience” whose working-class roots and anti-establishment attitude contrasted with his own suburban upbringing. Knight saw Minton as a notable influence on Clarke.

The duo collaborated on “Stand By Your Screen” (1968), an ITV family drama about a son rebelling against his parents’ suburban conformity. They went on to create the BBC drama “Horace” (1972), about a man with learning disabilities working in a joke shop who befriends a schoolboy. Minton based the lead character on someone from his hometown of Nottingham, highlighting the duo’s commitment to representing marginalized members of society.

For Clarke at the BBC, Minton also wrote “Funny Farm” (1975), a “Play for Today” that criticized psychiatric wards, and “Fast Hands” (1976), part of the “Plays for Britain” series, focusing on a young boxer exploited by a promoter.

Minton and Clarke had a falling out over the “Scum” remake, specifically due to the omission of a scene where Carlin initiates a gay relationship with another inmate. Minton explained that Carlin wasn’t homosexual but engaged in relationships within the borstal, mirroring public school behavior, which added complexity to his character.

Minton’s television career concluded after he disassociated himself from “Scrubbers,” a female version of “Scum,” which he felt distorted his screenplay.

Born Roy Davies in Nottingham, Minton was the eldest of 13 children. He worked various jobs before winning a scholarship to study acting at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Adopting the professional name Minton, he had small TV roles before earning a BBC writer’s bursary in 1968.

Minton’s early work included radio play “The Gold Medallist” and contributions to the Nottingham Playhouse. His black comedy “Sometime Never” was performed in London in 1969. His own Wednesday Plays, “Sling Your Hook” (1969) and “The Hunting of Lionel Crane” (1970), were well-received but ended due to creative differences with the producer.

Minton is survived by his partner, Jeannette Saintflour, and two sons, Lawrence and Thomas, from his marriage to Nicole Thrower, which ended in divorce.

Roy Minton (Roy Davies), writer, born 28 August 1933; died 17 August 2023

Source: The Guardian