Dramarama is the name of a British children's anthology series broadcast on ITV between 1983 and 1989. It tended to feature drama of a science fiction or supernatural bent. The series was created by Anna Home, then head of children's and youth programming at TVS, however production responsibilities were divided amongst most of the regional ITV franchise holders. Thus, each episode was in practice a one-off production with its own cast and crew, up to and including the executive producer. Dramarama was largely a place for new talent to prove themselves and was a launching pad for the likes of Anthony Horowitz, Paul Abbott, Kay Mellor, Janice Hally, Tony Kearney, David Tennant and Ann Marie Di Mambro. It was one of Dennis Spooner's last credits. One of Dramarama's episodes, "Dodger, Bonzo And The Rest", gained so much popularity that it was turned in to its own series the following year. It starred Lee Ross and was based around a large foster home. The episode "Blackbird Singing In The Dead of Night" was developed by Granada into the TV series Children's Ward. It was also repeated for the first time since its original broadcast on 5 January 2013, during CITV's 30th anniversary Old Skool Weekend. The Series 7 episode "Back To Front" – notable for featuring a mirror image of the Yorkshire Television logo card at the end – was repeated on 6 January 2013, again as part of CITV's 30th anniversary Old Skool Weekend.
Dramarama (Season 5)
Cannondrum (Episode 1)
Air date: 1987-03-30
Snap (Episode 2)
Writer: Richard Cooper
Air date: 1987-04-06
Overview: Peter's dad reluctantly gives him a lift to some marshlands for a school photography project. Yet why is Peter able to see a mysterious hooded figure at the site, but it's unseen by his dad?
The Horrible Story (Episode 3)
Writer: Maggie Wadey
Air date: 1987-04-13
Overview: Bobby is given a tent from his uncle, and plans to sleep in it overnight with his friend Allan. Yet their plans are disrupted by Bobby's younger brother Christopher tagging along, so they try to scare him away with a "horrible story".
My Friend Julie (Episode 4)
Air date: 1987-04-27
Overview: A story told entirely in song of the difficult friendship between two teenage girls who both love the same boy.
The Creature Beyond Torches' End (Episode 5)
Writer: Robin Driscoll
Air date: 1987-05-11
Overview: Because his parents are constantly arguing, Henry takes his desire for adventure and dinosaurs into his own hands. He follows the path under his bedclothes into a fantastic world.
My Mum's a Courgette (Episode 6)
Air date: 1987-05-18
Brainwaves (Episode 7)
Writer: Ann-Marie di Mambro
Air date: 1987-06-08
Overview: Karen has enrolled on a communications course in a college for school underachievers. She spends her nights fantasising about a rebellious classmate, but her epilepsy causes her problems fitting in with the rest of her class.
Undertow of the Armada (Episode 8)
Air date: 1987-06-15
Stan's First Night (Episode 9)
Air date: 1987-06-22
Overview: In 1906, Stan Jefferson is given the chance to perform on stage for the first time ever at a theatre in Glasgow. The events of this night set Stan on a path that will eventually lead to becoming the Stan Laurel we know and love of Laurel & Hardy fame.
Living Doll (Episode 10)
Writer: Kay Mellor
Air date: 1987-06-29
Overview: When Dawn's mother wants to work full-time, it leads to arguments between her parents. So, in her imagination, she creates the perfect couple out of her dolls. Or so she thinks.
Peter (Episode 11)
Writer: Brian Finch
Air date: 1987-07-03
Overview: Since the death of his father in the Falklands War, Paul has become increasingly withdrawn. One day, while fishing, he meets a strange boy named Peter who challenges him.
The Halt (Episode 12)
Air date: 1987-07-06
Overview: Football hooligans get their comeuppance when they find themselves abandoned on a deserted railway station where strange things happen and voices make arrival announcements for trains that never come.
Mr Magus is Waiting for You (Episode 13)
Overview: A repeat screening of a three-part "Middle English" story from 1986, repackaged as a single episode and presented under the Dramarama banner.
A Spirited Performance (Episode 14)
Writer: Nigel Crowle
Air date: 1987-08-10
Overview: Two boys stumble into a chaotic medieval film production and help out. But then they should look for a mystical sword.
Badger on the Barge (Episode 15)
Writer: Janni Howker
Air date: 1987-08-24
Badger on the Barge (Episode 16)
