The Story
Codd Palace is a new TV Comedy Drama.
The Pilot 'Simply Ken' features Jeffrey Holland and Judy Buxton. Written and starring Craig Shepherd, Directed by Rhys Freeman, using local talent, it was filmed in Sheffield and Rotherham.
Ken Codd is a man who's lost everything; his wife, his home, his job, his fridge and his washing machine. The most important person in his life is his daughter Gwendolyn. Codd Palace explores their brittle relationship, made more fractious by Ken's new business.
Codd Palace began as a conversation between the renowned Actor Jeffrey Holland and fellow Actor Craig Shepherd. In 2016, they met at Laurel and Hardy Convention in Ulverston, Cumbria. Jeffrey was performing his one-man Show “And this is my friend Mr Laurel", Craig performed his one-man Show "The Fiddle and the Bow". They met and after a long discussion, decided that they would like to work together on a project.
In 2017, they met again and filmed a short story, written by Craig. This story subsequently inspired Craig to write the story of Ken Codd.
Jeffrey Holland plays Ken's Father Stan and their scene together in the Pilot is a homage to Stan and Ollie. As Father and Son, their exchange is devoted to the great comedy pair, as Stan tackles every issue raised to him by his son, in the style of Stan Laurel.
Renowned Actress Judy Buxton, joined her Husband Jeffrey in the Cast of Simply Ken and brilliantly portrays Ken's best female friend, Alice.
Family commitments kept Craig from developing Codd Palace until 2019. In 2020, along with the original Director, he began assembling a team to bring his ideas to fruition.
In early 2021, extensive auditions took place (online) and a brilliant cast and crew were assembled.
Filming was due to begin in May, but unfortunately the original Director was unable to continue. Fortunately, the Producer Rob Sadler was interviewing Director Rhys Freeman for his show on www.radio.rockingham.media and realised he would be perfect as a replacement. Rhys joined the Team and filming finally took place in September 2021.
Filming took place in various venues in Canvey Island, Sheffield and Rotherham and was a real triumph. The Pilot ('Simply Ken') has been completed and the preview in May 2022 was hugely-successful and got great feedback.
We are now working with a view to getting it commissioned, Craig has some brilliant ideas for future scripts, for Codd Palace.
The Pilot has been advertised on UK Comedy guide, on Wikipedia and was mentioned on “Wonder-birds” a 'Loose Women' style programme by Jeffrey Holland himself. He stated clearly on this programme: “It’s very clever, it has great potential”.
Gallery
