Laurie Bates

Infobox EastEnders character 2


character_name=Laurie Bates
actor_name=Gary Powell
introducer=Mike Gibbon
years=1989–1990
first=12 September 1989
last=8 March 1990
status=Widowed
occupation= Market trader
sisters=Shirley Bates

Laurie Bates was a fictional character in the BBC soap opera, "EastEnders". He was played by Gary Powell. Laurie was introduced by producer Mike Gibbon in September 1989 as a rival to the long-established character Pete Beale – he opened up a business in direct competition to him and then dated his estranged wife Kathy Beale. Laurie Bates was one of many characters to be axed early in 1990, following the introduction of the serial’s new executive-producer, Michael Ferguson. He made his last appearance in March 1990, lasting roughly six months on-screen.

Character creation and development

1989 was a year of big change for "EastEnders", both behind the cameras and in front of them. Original production designer, Keith Harris, left the show, and co-creators, Tony Holland and Julia Smith, both decided that the time had come to move on too; their final contribution coinciding with the exit of one of "EastEnders" most successful characters, Den Watts (Leslie Grantham).cite book |last=Brake|first= Colin|authorlink= Colin Brake|title= |year=1995|publisher=BBC Books|id=ISBN 0-563-37057-2] A new producer, Mike Gibbon, took control of the show and he enlisted the most experienced writers to take over the storylining of the programme, which included Charlie Humphreys, Jane Hollowood and Tony McHale.

As well as Den, several other long running characters left the show in 1989, including three original cast members, Angie Watts (Anita Dobson), as well as Sue and Ali Osman (Sandy Ratcliff and Nejdet Salih) and their family; Donna Ludlow (Matilda Ziegler); Carmel Jackson (Judith Jacob) and her family, and one of the show's more controversial characters, Colin Russell (Michael Cashman). It was decided that 1989 was to be “a year of change” in Walford. "EastEnders" script-writer, Colin Brake, has suggested that "it was almost as if Walford itself was making a fresh start".

At the time "EastEnders" had come under criticism in the British media for being too depressing; arguably a reputation that it has never been able to shake. The programme makers were determined to change this. In 1989 there was a deliberate attempt to increase the lighter, more comic aspects of life in Albert Square. This led to the introduction of some characters who were deliberately conceived as comic or light-hearted. Such characters included Julie Cooper (Louise Plowright), a man-mad hairdresser; Marge Green — a batty older lady played by veteran comedy actress, Pat Coombs; Trevor Short (Phil McDermott), the "village idiot", and his friend, northern heart-breaker Paul Priestly (Mark Thrippleton); wheeler-dealer Vince Johnson (Hepburn Graham) and Laurie Bates, who was introduced in September and became Pete Beale's (Peter Dean) sparring partner.

On-screen Laurie arrived in Turpin Road Market and set up a rival fruit and veg stall in direct competition to Pete and the rivalry went further when he became romantically interested in Pete’s estranged wife, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). [cite news|url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61515702.html |title= EastEnders at 15: magic moments; 1988-1990 |publisher="Sunday Mail" | date = 2000-08-16| accessdate=2007-08-30] A feud between Laurie and Pete was launched, which included various jibes and games of one-upmanship, as each tried to outdo each other.

Humour was an important element in the storylines during 1989, with a greater amount of slapstick and light comedy than ever before. 1989's changes were a “brave experiment” and while some found this period of "EastEnders" entertaining, many other viewers felt that the comedy stretched the programme's credibility somewhat. The programme still covered many issues in 1989, such as domestic violence, drugs, racism and rape - specifically concerning the victim’s (Kathy) struggles to move on from the ordeal and trust other men (Laurie); however, the new emphasis on a more balanced mix between "light and heavy storylines" gave the "illusion" that the show had lost a "certain edge".

By the end of the year "EastEnders" had acquired a new executive producer, Michael Ferguson, who had previously been a successful producer on ITV's "The Bill". Ultimately, Ferguson was responsible for bringing in a new sense of vitality, and creating a programme that was "more in touch" with the "real world" than it had been over the last year. A new era began in 1990 with the introduction of the Mitchell brothers, Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp), two extremely successful characters, who would go on to dominate the soap there after. As the new production machine cleared the way for new characters and a new direction, a number of characters were axed from the show at the start of the year. Among them was Laurie, as well as every other "comedic" character that had been introduced to the show in 1989. By March 1990 they had all gone. On-screen it became clear that Laurie’s "infatuation" with Kathy was not reciprocated. [cite news|url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61101549.html |title= When luck was being handed out Kathy was, er, unlucky|publisher="The Mirror" | date = 1997-01-25| accessdate=2007-08-30] Their on/off relationship came to an end and Laurie decided to give up his stall in Walford, making his final screen appearance on 8 March 1990.

torylines

Laurie arrived in September 1989, taking over a vacant stall on Turpin Road market, where Cindy Beale’s mother had formerly sold hats. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/albert_sq/map_locations/market/market_11.shtml A;bert Square Market Hat Stall] ] Laurie sold fruit and veg by trade, opening up in direct competition to the resident fruit and veg trader, Pete Beale. A trade war escalated as Laurie tried to pilfer all Pete’s customers by undercutting his prices. Meanwhile, Laurie caught the eye of hairdresser Julie Cooper. They dated briefly, but Laurie was far more taken with Kathy Beale - Pete’s recently estranged wife. Kathy was initially wary of Laurie, but she began to warm to him after he shared his sad life story with her – he’d been scarred by the loss of his second wife, who had died from cancer. Julie was extremely jealous of their blossoming romance, and Pete was furious that Laurie was not only trying to steal his customers, but also his wife. Numerous rows erupted between Laurie and Pete, as each tried to outdo one another.

Laurie and Kathy’s romance progressed slowly. Unbeknown to Laurie, Kathy had been raped in 1988. She still found it hard to trust men, so she was unwilling to rush things with Laurie. Julie took advantage of this. She seduced Laurie in October 1989, and led him back to her flat where she slept with him. Laurie regretted it the next day, particularly when he was shunned by Kathy. Julie assumed that Laurie then wanted a relationship with her, but he told her their night together was a silly mistake. Incensed, Julie tried to persuade him against Kathy by informing him of her rape, but this only made him more sympathetic towards her. He persuaded Kathy to give him another chance and promised to take things slowly.

Kathy and Laurie faced objections from Pete and Kathy’s son Ian, who took Pete’s side and refused to accept Laurie as Kathy’s new beau. After a long period of feuding, Pete eventually accepted that he and Kathy were over and the Beales called a truce with Laurie. By 1990, Kathy finally felt ready to sleep with Laurie; however their attempt at consummation failed and Laurie stormed out angry and embarrassed (the reason for which was never divulged, although it was indicated that Kathy had laughed at Laurie and he later tells her that she “has a knack for laughing at the wrong time”). After this Kathy became increasingly disinterested in their relationship and her ambiguous behaviour began to confuse Laurie. He was keen to hold on to Kathy and he tried his best to please her, but she began to feel as though he was treating her like a possession – buying her expensive clothes and jewellery and showing her off like a “trophy”. Unaware of Kathy’s discontent, Laurie arranged to go on a lavish date with her, but when he came to collect her she refused to go and ended their relationship instead. Laurie took the rejection badly and some tactless comments regarding her sexual abstinence made Kathy believe that he had hidden shallows. He stormed off, dropping his wallet in his haste and, when Kathy retrieved it, she discovered that it contained a photograph of woman who bared a strong resemblance to her. Kathy concluded that Laurie had been attempting to recreate his dead wife through her, by dressing her in the same clothes and jewellery.

Following this, Laurie became depressed and began drinking heavily. His sister Shirley visited Kathy asking her to talk to him and explain why she had ended their relationship. When Kathy did, she accused him of trying to turn her into a replica of his deceased wife; however, she was embarrassed to learn that the woman she had seen in the photo was not his dead wife after all. Kathy apologized for jumping to conclusions; they called a truce and parted company, realising that they were not right for each other. This was Laurie’s last appearance, though it was revealed that he had decided to give up his pitch on the market and move on, an act which fuelled rumours amongst the traders that Turpin Road Market was due to be closed.

References