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'Little Dorrit', 'Britannia High': Any good?
Published Tuesday, Oct 21 2008, 10:59 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 29 comments
The BBC and ITV both launch high-profile new shows this Sunday. But which should you be watching?
First up, Dickens adaptation Little Dorrit...
Often shows boast of having an "all-star cast" but in the case of Little Dorrit they really mean it. The roster includes (deep breath): Matthew Macfadyen, Freema Agyeman, Ruth Jones, Pam Ferris, Eve Myles, Andy Serkis, Amanda Redman, Russell Tovey, Bill Paterson, Maxine Peake, Annette Crosbie, Alun Armstrong and Mackenzie Crook, to name but a few. Surprisingly Judi Dench isn't on the list.
So, the key question: is it any good? Well, it's a veeery slow starter - with fourteen episodes in the series, we should probably expect a bit of padding here and there - but once it gets going it's reasonably intriguing. Personally I'm just pleased to see Mr Macfadyen back on the box in a regular role.
Next, the all-singing, all-dancing ITV spectacular Britannia High...
Set in the competitive world of stage school, Britannia High is ITV's answer to High School Musical (however much Mitch Hewer may protest). The show follows the lives of seven kids - romance, fall-outs, the tricky balance of work and play, etc etc - and is frequently interspersed with song-and-dance numbers, each in the style of a music video.
Britannia High has everything going for it. Gary Barlow writes the music, Arlene Phillips masterminded the choreography, Gimme Gimme Gimme's Jonathan Harvey wrote the first episode and ITV has plugged the hell out of it for the last month.
You'll be forgiven, therefore, if - like me - you are slightly disappointed with the finished product.
As regular readers will know, I'm not ashamed to admit being a fan of High School Musical - "Go wildcats!" and all that - but this home-grown "version" doesn't quite work. The plot and script have little originality, the characters are uninteresting and it's missing the level of grounding that a similar show, the much-missed Nearly Famous, managed to pull off. Here, I fear ITV may have another Rock Rivals on its hands...
Will you be watching Little Dorrit or Britannia High this Sunday? Add your comments to this entry below!
First up, Dickens adaptation Little Dorrit...
Often shows boast of having an "all-star cast" but in the case of Little Dorrit they really mean it. The roster includes (deep breath): Matthew Macfadyen, Freema Agyeman, Ruth Jones, Pam Ferris, Eve Myles, Andy Serkis, Amanda Redman, Russell Tovey, Bill Paterson, Maxine Peake, Annette Crosbie, Alun Armstrong and Mackenzie Crook, to name but a few. Surprisingly Judi Dench isn't on the list.
So, the key question: is it any good? Well, it's a veeery slow starter - with fourteen episodes in the series, we should probably expect a bit of padding here and there - but once it gets going it's reasonably intriguing. Personally I'm just pleased to see Mr Macfadyen back on the box in a regular role.
Next, the all-singing, all-dancing ITV spectacular Britannia High...
Set in the competitive world of stage school, Britannia High is ITV's answer to High School Musical (however much Mitch Hewer may protest). The show follows the lives of seven kids - romance, fall-outs, the tricky balance of work and play, etc etc - and is frequently interspersed with song-and-dance numbers, each in the style of a music video.
Britannia High has everything going for it. Gary Barlow writes the music, Arlene Phillips masterminded the choreography, Gimme Gimme Gimme's Jonathan Harvey wrote the first episode and ITV has plugged the hell out of it for the last month.
You'll be forgiven, therefore, if - like me - you are slightly disappointed with the finished product.
As regular readers will know, I'm not ashamed to admit being a fan of High School Musical - "Go wildcats!" and all that - but this home-grown "version" doesn't quite work. The plot and script have little originality, the characters are uninteresting and it's missing the level of grounding that a similar show, the much-missed Nearly Famous, managed to pull off. Here, I fear ITV may have another Rock Rivals on its hands...
Will you be watching Little Dorrit or Britannia High this Sunday? Add your comments to this entry below!
Your Views
29 Comments
Your Responses
abbie, on January 8th, 2009
I hope that britannia high comes back
I hope that britannia high comes back
Selen, London, on December 20th, 2008
I hope there will be another series i just LOVE Britannia high and i LOVE Mitch Hewer and Adam Garcia.xxxxxxx
I hope there will be another series i just LOVE Britannia high and i LOVE Mitch Hewer and Adam Garcia.xxxxxxx
Alexandra, London, on December 8th, 2008
I love Britannia high, can't get enough of it! i think the songs are really amazingly written and sung really well
I love Britannia high, can't get enough of it! i think the songs are really amazingly written and sung really well
Hannah, on November 1st, 2008
Loved it.. but understand why some could hate it- bit cheesy! lol .x .x .x.
Loved it.. but understand why some could hate it- bit cheesy! lol .x .x .x.
Ellie, Trowboh, on October 28th, 2008
i will be watching BRITANNIA HIGH!!! god i love mitch hewer!! he was great in skins!! and will be as danny in this!! xler'g
i will be watching BRITANNIA HIGH!!! god i love mitch hewer!! he was great in skins!! and will be as danny in this!! xler'g
Marcia, on October 28th, 2008
My 10yr old daughter loved Britannia High! Just the ticket!
My 10yr old daughter loved Britannia High! Just the ticket!
Linda, Manchester, on October 28th, 2008
As a parent I watched with my my 9, 12 and 14year olds who loved the show - they were happy with it and cant wait for the next show. I think the producers and the cast have started off well - in my eyes they've attracted the right audience group and caught their attention! WELL DONE to them I hope the cast/producers dont get bogged down by the comments of their none target audience - Imagine a 40something yr old watching Balamory and then providing his/her opinions on it?! Ridiculous; they just wouldnt get it! lol
As a parent I watched with my my 9, 12 and 14year olds who loved the show - they were happy with it and cant wait for the next show. I think the producers and the cast have started off well - in my eyes they've attracted the right audience group and caught their attention! WELL DONE to them I hope the cast/producers dont get bogged down by the comments of their none target audience - Imagine a 40something yr old watching Balamory and then providing his/her opinions on it?! Ridiculous; they just wouldnt get it! lol
BB, Oxfordshire, on October 27th, 2008
Sick of BBC costume dramas- get a life!! Brit High at least has some energy!!
Sick of BBC costume dramas- get a life!! Brit High at least has some energy!!
CC, Cheshire, on October 27th, 2008
Recorded Britannia High and just watched with my 16 year old. She thought it was just OK - I thought it was rubbish. Nothing original in it - in my opinion a very poor copy of Fame - even down to the reference of the male dancer not wanting to wear tights! Fame was exciting and different when it was shown - now we're so bombarded with 'talent' shows (closely followed by the 'celebrity' versions of) that this really was a waste of TV time
Recorded Britannia High and just watched with my 16 year old. She thought it was just OK - I thought it was rubbish. Nothing original in it - in my opinion a very poor copy of Fame - even down to the reference of the male dancer not wanting to wear tights! Fame was exciting and different when it was shown - now we're so bombarded with 'talent' shows (closely followed by the 'celebrity' versions of) that this really was a waste of TV time
John, Brighton, on October 27th, 2008
Little Dorritt is great last night, and Britannia High wasn't that bad, but I think BBC drama is better!
Little Dorritt is great last night, and Britannia High wasn't that bad, but I think BBC drama is better!
Michael, Glasgow, on October 26th, 2008
just watched britannia high and i think it is reely goood !! cant wait for epi 2! :)
just watched britannia high and i think it is reely goood !! cant wait for epi 2! :)
Emma, Norfolk, on October 24th, 2008
I'm a sucker for a good period drama so I'm really looking forward to Little Dorritt. If it's anything like Bleak House it's going to be brilliant. Britannia High is so not my thing.
I'm a sucker for a good period drama so I'm really looking forward to Little Dorritt. If it's anything like Bleak House it's going to be brilliant. Britannia High is so not my thing.
Laura, on October 23rd, 2008
i wouldn't say that its like hight school musical id say its more like fame but an english version
i wouldn't say that its like hight school musical id say its more like fame but an english version
jenn, d, on October 22nd, 2008
i will be watching, little dorrit, as brittania high just seems like the usual boring dance drama, and i recognise some of the dancers from arlene philips show she had Dance X , and they were the winners, so where are the losers??
i will be watching, little dorrit, as brittania high just seems like the usual boring dance drama, and i recognise some of the dancers from arlene philips show she had Dance X , and they were the winners, so where are the losers??
Taz, London, on October 22nd, 2008
It's a ripoff of Disney's HSM in all but name, it got Mitch Brewer in it who is a terrible actor and no matter how many times he says he's not gay in real life is just kidding himself, he is SOOOOOO gay!!!. This is just another ITV flop waiting to happen.
It's a ripoff of Disney's HSM in all but name, it got Mitch Brewer in it who is a terrible actor and no matter how many times he says he's not gay in real life is just kidding himself, he is SOOOOOO gay!!!. This is just another ITV flop waiting to happen.
Alice, Middlesbrough, on October 22nd, 2008
I'm looking forward to Britannia High- but then again I enjoyed Rock Rivals...does anyone know if that's coming back for another series?
I'm looking forward to Britannia High- but then again I enjoyed Rock Rivals...does anyone know if that's coming back for another series?
Michie, USA, on October 22nd, 2008
It is a great relief to know that someone on your staff has FINALLY learned to spell Matthew Macfadyen's name. For years you have incorrectly spelled it Macfayden. Not only is it annoying but it makes your editor look really inept. Thank you for getting it right. I look forward to seeing this very talented actor in Little Dorrit or anything he chooses to play.
It is a great relief to know that someone on your staff has FINALLY learned to spell Matthew Macfadyen's name. For years you have incorrectly spelled it Macfayden. Not only is it annoying but it makes your editor look really inept. Thank you for getting it right. I look forward to seeing this very talented actor in Little Dorrit or anything he chooses to play.
Joe, Norfolk, on October 22nd, 2008
Little Dorrit for me. I'd take a good period romp over ITV teeny trash any day.
Little Dorrit for me. I'd take a good period romp over ITV teeny trash any day.
Amy, London, on October 21st, 2008
I'm so with you re: Matthew Macfadyen, love the man! The cast looks super for Little Dorrit, can't wait.
I'm so with you re: Matthew Macfadyen, love the man! The cast looks super for Little Dorrit, can't wait.
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BRITANNIAhigh ALL THE WAY!!