The Colour Room (PG)

An opening quote from a 1919 edition of Pottery Gazette claims, “No man can appreciate and produce things of beauty whose colour sense is outraged every day by the grime and soot that covers everything.”

The word “man” is highlighted, suggesting The Colour Room could be another generic saga about a visionary woman trying to make it in a patriarchal microcosm.

Thankfully, director Claire McCarthy’s drama is far more rewarding than that.

The “grime” and “soot” are apparent in an impressive opening shot, which sets the scene for this handsomely staged biopic of Clarice Cliff, a young 1920s Midlands factory worker.

McCarthy’s picture examines how Cliff risked everything to become one of the great Art Deco designers.

Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor is excellent as the trailblazer, who shattered more than clay as she built her reputation on the world arts scene.

Despite the impact on the household she shares with her widowed mother Ann (Kerry Fox) and younger sister Dot (Darci Shaw), Clarice’s creativity compels her to move from job to job.

She is inspired by colours and shapes and takes risks to stay one step ahead of the workhouse and make a fine impression on eccentric factory owner Colley Shorter (Matthew Goode).

The Colour Room is superbly crafted, with full marks to the art directors and effects crew for creating a credible period drama.