Long-Lost Relative: Lampshaded in one episode where both Badvoc's and Aulus's embarrassing twin brothers turn up in Chelmsford. Producers say: ‘This new audio adaptation will give fans of the original something new to laugh at, and first-time listeners a well-crafted historical comedy that comments on today’s society, as all good comedy does.’ It even warranted a spin-off film in 2019, Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans. Of course, the big screen’s also found lucre in them thar seven hills with productions such as Carry On Cleo, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Gladiatress, and Monty Python’s Life Of Brian. Yet, with so many illustrious films and TV shows in the pantheon of hysterical historicals, one which has perhaps got a tad lost along the Appian Way is a situation comedy which graced our screens between 1988 and 1990. Mulville and McGrath wrote the four new episodes, which have already been taped and is in post-production, awaiting a digital release soon.

This new audio adaptation, again by Rory McGrath and Jimmy Mulville, will give fans of the original something new to laugh at, and first-time listeners a well-crafted historical comedy that comments on today’s society (as all good comedy does). Jacob Marley Warning: Wolfbane tries to pull this off on Aulus as the 'Ghost of Next Week'. It fails hilariously. Their co-star Howard Lew Lewis died in 2018 at the age of 76, and his voice has beenimpersonated by Pope for the new recording.Badvok, leader of the Trinavanti's, and three times runner up in the all Britain pillage a village competition !" Aulus "Blag, thats an odd name, is it short for something ?" Badvok "Yeah, its short for that great fat dozy git Blag!" There are some elements of "dramatic necessity" that really make absolutely no sense and the vanishing of Gargamadua (Erica Hoffman) between seasons could use some explanation, but these can be ignored in the face of the laughter. in any doubt who was in charge. So the situation presented in Chelmsford 123does not exactly represent historical reality. Spiteful Puppet have shown themselves to be not only a safe, but also more than capable, set of hands to handle a prestige project such as this, as they have already managed to be the accomplished legacy holders for other television properties on audio, such as Robin Of Sherwood and Up Pompeii!. For them to effectively be handed the keys for a further piece of our TV heritage is another feather in an already impressively festooned cap, and they should feel rightly proud for pulling off such a coup, enhancing their reputation even more.

The tortured Grasientus, the oblivious to reality Functio who lives in Functio world, the totally stupid and hilarious Blag, Mungo the Chelmsford 123 version of a spiv, and the myriad of characters that drop in and out through the series, Andy Hamilton terrific parody of a druid priest, and Chris Langham as the dimwitted roman guard. You can probably tell Im a BIG fan, and my wife loves the series too, and she is Russian ! Not What It Looks Like: In one episode Aulus catches Badvoc in gathering his tribe, apparently to start a local rebellion. Badvoc explains they're rehearsing for a sporting event. Subverted, in that it turns out they really were rehearsing for the friendly inter-tribal competition.Catchphrase: "They call me Mungo the [placeholder]." He then gives an example as to why he's called that. The Other Darrin: Averted for laughs in one episode when it looks as though Badvoc's been executed. Arrivederci Roma—9 March 1988 ( sections in Rome played entirely in Latin, until Aulus arrives in Britain) Suicide as Comedy: In one episode Grasientus nearly hangs himself in despair of his apparent ugliness before a girl servant cheers him up, only for Aulus to grab the stool he was standing on without thinking.

While some episodes are undoubtedly weaker than others, the final one in particular being rather cliché and disappointing, all episodes contain excellent jokes and most of the series will have you genuinely guffawing. Episode 1 - "Arrivederci Roma": It’s AD 123, and the people of Britain are about to receive a new governor from Rome - Aulus Paulinus. This is not the greatest news for the local Trinovantes tribe, so their leader - Badvoc - plots a ‘welcome’ party. In 123 AD the Emperor of Rome (Bill Wallis) appoints Aulus Paulinus (Jimmy Mulville) governor of Britain after Aulus made the mistake of insulting his love, Portia. To add insult to injury the Emperor then appoints Aulus's brother-in-law Grasientus (Philip Pope) as the aide-de-camp. Episode 3 - "One for the Road": Aulus Paulinus intends to put his mark on Britain by constructing a grand Roman road direct between Londinium and Chelmsford - but there’s a seemingly insignificant settlement in the way.Barnaby Eaton-Jones ( The Goodies, Up Pompeii, I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again) commissioned this new update, as well as producing and directing. It sees a brilliant comedy series being given a new lease of life. Series 1 and 2 were released on DVD by Acorn Media UK on 15 September 2011. [2] Principal cast [ edit ] The scripts also drop some great wordplay, but keep visual jokes, meaning they have to be explained in the most clunky way possible. I am no fan of Rory McGrath, so therefore it somewhat sours my opinion of this Channel 4 sitcom written by him and Jimmy Mulville. It came about after the pair made it big on Channel 4's popular ( though which I was also not really very keen on ) 'Who Dares Wins'. In 1988, they wanted to try their hand at sitcom and so 'Chelmsford 123' was made. In 2021, it was announced that the show had been revived for a four-part audio series starring the surviving members of the cast.

I was excited when I found out that Chelmsford 123 was returning, because although I was a big fan, it generally seemed to have been forgotten. I was disappointed to find out they were redoing old episodes, but pleased the scripts were being updated. Alas, it would have been better just with the original scripts. Upon arrival in Britain Aulus must contend with the British weather and the British people, especially the local tribal leader Badvoc (Rory McGrath) who'll do everything he can to undermine Roman authority and make some money while he's at it. Britain Is Only London: Averted. Most of the series is set in Chelmsford, which in Real Life wasn't even a city at the time of production. This full-cast audio series has been recorded and is now in post-production. There will be more another Press Release to come, later this year. But please feel free to announce this. Shown Their Work: The Latin spoken by the Romans is proper Latin complete with correct pronunciation.Episode 3 - One For The Road: Aulus Paulinus intends to put his mark on Britain by constructing a grand Roman road direct between Londinium and Chelmsford - but there’s a seemingly insignificant settlement in the way. The new audio incarnation of the comedy reunites original cast members of Jimmy Mulville as Aulus Paulinus, Rory McGrath as Badvoc, Neil Pearson as Mungo, and Philip Pope as Grasientus. Episode 1 - Arrivederci Roma: It’s 123 AD and the people of Britain are about to receive a new governor from Rome - Aulus Paulinus. This is not the greatest news for the local Trinovantes tribe, so their leader - Badvoc - plots a ‘welcome’ party.