Mapp and Lucia

[Dave2002]

I watched the first of the recent series of Mapp and Lucia a couple of days ago, and found it maddening. However I did struggle on to parts 2 and 3, whence I divined a spark of amusement sufficient to cause me to investigate the original author further. Indeed, the BBC's production does feature EF Benson's house in Rye, which was once also lived in by Henry James, and now is looked after by the National trust. The Garden Room is a reconstruction, as it was destroyed by a bomb.

Further, I noticed that more or less the complete set of Mapp/Lucia novels are available as a Kindle download, currently priced at 99p. The writer indeed has a very elegant and amusing style, and generates a vast improvement to my enjoyment over the TV renditions, without which I would not have been alerted to the delights of these works. Sequels are also available, written by Guy Fraser-Sampson. I shall now retreat for some while to ingest these tomes.

[PJPJ]

I thought Miranda Richardson quite marvellous in the first episode of this production, but so far still prefer the previous outing on TV with Prunella Scales, Geraldine McEwan and Nigel Hawthorne. I couldn't cope with it three evenings on the trot so will catch up on the rest later.

Haven't read the Fraser-Samsons. Are they worth pursuing?

[Keraulophone]

We were looking forward to this, but were compelled to turn off after five minutes to avoid ending up in the madhouse.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I watched the first of the recent series of Mapp and Lucia a couple of days ago, and found it maddening.

We were looking forward to this, but were compelled to turn off after five minutes

So glad to see my own reactions reflected here. The books were a great favourite of my partner, so I was looking forward to watching the adaptations. Toe-curlingly bad!

[Dave2002]

We were looking forward to this, but were compelled to turn off after five minutes to avoid ending up in the madhouse.

They did improve, though maybe it was best to help along with alcoholic beverages! I could not understand at first why anyone would have wanted to create these TV dramas, but checking on the books suggested that they must have some merit - many people claim to enjoy them. This does indeed appear to be the case.

I would have followed your example if I had not been in the company of others, though now I am perhaps glad to have made it to the end. I hated Miss Mapp!

[Flosshilde]

I thought Miranda Richardson quite marvellous in this production, but so far still prefer the previous outing on TV with Prunella Scales, Geraldine McEwan and Nigel Hawthorne.

Miranda Richardson is quite good (better than the rest), but I think must have studied Prunella Scales in the previous TV version, as she is so like her. Georgino I find is hopelessly mannered & heavy handed. Dave, the books are a delight - I was introduced to them by the previous TV series, & read them with Prunella Scales & Geraldine McEwan in mind. Make sure you read the first one (Queen Lucia?) first, as it shows Lucia's life with her husband in Risingholme.

I did wonder, watching the present series, if the streets of Tilling/Rye would have been quite so busy - TV & Film directors always fill the screens with so much toing & froing. I can't help thinking of the extras standing around & then bursting into life when the direrctor shouts 'action'.

[french frank]

The particular brand of humour in the novels has its ardent fans but it's quite a balancing act to convey it to the screen without going over the top and pleasing no one, either new to the characters or not. I found the novels very much a 'phase' thing - once done I didn't want to revisit them.

[Flosshilde]

I can re-read them & still find them as funny as the first time - it's like visiting old friends.

[Pianorak]

I thought Anna Chancellor's more subtle approach worked better. Miranda Richardson is an excellent actress, but some of the reaction shots were overdone (I blame the director). Steve Pemberton's acting left a lot to be desired and showed his lack of legit theatrical experience, IMV.

[Dave2002]

Haven't read the Fraser-Samsons. Are they worth pursuing?

I've already made my views on Miss Mapp known, though in fairness the part seems to clearly be a caricature, and maybe that's how the actor and the director thought it should be. We're not talking about "real life" (huh!) representations - Coronation Street or East Enders here.

I did download the first of Fraser Sampson's series - [I]Lucia on Holiday[/ for 99p. The writing style is more direct and less elegant. Could still be worth trying after the others.http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lamb...r-information/

I need now to enroll on a speed reading course!

[Mary Chambers]

I didn't much like the first episode, but I feel it improved. Miranda Richardson does indeed seem to be doing an impersonation of Prunella Scales's Miss Mapp.

I've never read the books. Perhaps I should.

[PJPJ]

Miranda Richardson is quite good (better than the rest), but I think must have studied Prunella Scales in the previous TV version, as she is so like her.

I think you're right, down even to the dropping of the shoulder like a lock forward lumbering towards joining a scrum. Richardson's teeth were spell-binding, though, and somewhat unsettling when presented in a humourless smile.

[PS and OT Given a choice, I'd rather the BBC had broadcast (on R3) its collection of plays by Henry Reed, including its archive of those with Hilda Tablet. Not new productions, thanks, as for me Carleton Hobbs, for one, is an essential.]

[Honoured Guest]

Au reservoir.

[Alain Maréchal]

[PS and OT Given a choice, I'd rather the BBC had broadcast (on R3) its collection of plays by Henry Reed, including its archive of those with Hilda Tablet. Not new productions, thanks, as for me Carleton Hobbs, for one, is an essential.]

Second the motion, but in the meantime:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZMgECu5lAI

(I have them all on R/R tape, somewhere, and I have a machine to play them on, somewhere, but youtube will suffice for now. )
I was introduced to these radio plays by the same teacher who introduced me to Mapp and Lucia. He never married.
I suddenly feel a need for tea and toast.

[Flosshilde]

I've just finished watching episode 1 (I watched about half of it last night). Lucia has definitely grown on me, but Mapp's gurning is getting irritating. Georgino seems to have calmed down somewhat. Don't like Quaint Irene though - she was better in the earlier series.