My Pal Puck. Katy sitting down to watch Romeo and Juliet is Angelo's first exposure to the wonders of Shakespeare, and after declaring that he's going to become a writer himself, he decides to research the playwright in closer detail than is strictly normal. But does he have what it takes to pen good television comedy, and how will Katy shake off some unwanted attention? Oh, and Mike's there, too.
This episode was first broadcast on Thursday, 25th January, 1996, and anyone who criticises children's TV for 'dumbing down' can rest assured that this particular one is above that. Waaaay above that. I picked up on quite a few of the Shakespeare references watching this now, but I wouldn't have back then - and even now I know I failed to fully grasp loads. The final payoff about having accidentally inspired one of Will's classics is remarkably well-crafted, and I'm sure sailed above the heads of younger viewers, but how refreshing to see sophisticated highbrow jokes on CITV (even if it was two full decades ago)!
Whenever I watch something that features the process of writing or filming a television show as part of the plot, I immediately wonder just how autobiographical it is. I'm certain there are plenty of in-jokes included - not least shooting a scene in a studio with the actual set of the show in the background - and the lampooning of the business side of things tells its own story. Even funnier with the benefit of hindsight is the fact that Tim Whitnall is actually now a BAFTA-winning writer himself! Meanwhile, according to the excellent Glad You Remember website (which, as I've mentioned before, I'm finding an invaluable resource: gladyouremember..., this episode "was the all-time favourite of director Neville Green", and it is indeed superb fun.
Jasper Britton is right at home playing the great man himself, having appeared in loads of Shakespeare down the years - most recently starring as King Henry IV in the RSC's two adaptations of the plays. Turns out Jasper is the half-brother of TV presenter Fern Britton and her sister Cherry, who is in turn married to the great Brian Cant. Nice little kids' TV connection, there. The other guest actor, Debora Weston, has a number of smaller parts to her credit - including in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Lennon Naked - and was invited back for a later episode as Katy's cousin.
Many thanks to Grant for providing this recording.
(This is a transfer from an old videotape, so please don't expect full HD quality. To the best of my knowledge, this material is not available commercially anywhere in the world, and has been uploaded for its historic interest. That said, if you are a copyright holder and object, please don't hesitate to contact me.)
12 сен 2024
