Babblewick Hall

Synopsis

The complete Series 1 & 2 of the historical sitcom about well-meaning but gullible 18th Century squire Fenton Babblewick and his clever manservant AugustusWhen idealistic Fenton Babblewick inherits his uncle's Yorkshire estate, it's the perfect opportunity to realise his Utopian dreams. But for his valet, Augustus Snipe, moving to Babblewick Hall is a nightmare. The servants are surly, the house is freezing cold and full of farm animals, and worst of all, it's in the North - a world away from the cosy coffeehouses and gentlemen's clubs of London.In these ten episodes, Fenton tries his hand as an agricultural reformer and radical grower of beetroots, falls in love with the charming Miss Lucinda Bluntstone, and embarks on a glamorous political career. An escape to London beckons - but Augustus' hopes are dashed when his master chooses to stay in the village, where he tries to convert a workhouse into a school and investigates a case of witchcraft...Fans of Blackadder will love this light-hearted comedy drama, full of japes, jokes and amusing sound effects and soundtracked with brilliant Baroque-style music. Olivier Award-winning actor Nicholas Le Prevost stars as Fenton Babblewick, with Forbes Masson as Augustus Snipe and Sam Kelly and Dave Hill as Jack. Among the stellar guest cast are Sophie Thompson, Maurice Denham, Tracie Bennett and John Moffatt. Production creditsWritten by Scott CherryProduced by Paul Schlesinger (Series 1) and Jon Rolph (Series 2)Music composed by Paul MottramViolin: Paul MottramCastFenton Babblewick - Nicholas Le PrevostAugustus Snipe - Forbes MassonBarney - David AntrobusJack - Sam Kelly/Dave HillMolly - Gillian BevanBob Scotcher - Philip JacksonPeck - Alex LowePickett - Christian RodskaGrunter - Geoffrey McGivernFlinch - Maurice DenhamMrs Bluntstone - Elizabeth SpriggsLucinda - Tracie BennettSmellie - David TimsonHartson - Geoffrey WhiteheadBerridge - Jeremy ClydeDribb/Maddison - John BaddeleyMrs Maddison - Sara CowardHighwayman - Stephen CritchlowWilliam Babblewick - Benjamin WhitrowElizabeth Babblewick - Pauline YatesHarriet - Courtney KingSeptimus Hickey - John MoffattWith Maggie McCarthy, Benedict Sandiford, Michael Troughton, Pat Coombs, Kim Wall, Lynda Barron, Phil Nice, Peter Gunn, Sophie Thompson, Rosemary LeachFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 27 December 1995-31 January 1996 (Series 1), 4-25 September 1998 (Series 2)