The Theatre Of The Absurd evolved during the middle years of the last century – and Reeves and Mortimer have been attempting to adapt it for TV for the past twenty-five.
First they tried the variety format; "Vic Reeves' Big Night Out" ('90-1) then the game-show format; "Shooting Stars" ('93-'11, on and off) and have now tackled sitcom; "House Of Fools" ('14-?) And along the way, they have dabbled with popular drama, sketch-shows and just about everything.
But it is with "House Of Fools" that they have finally found their calling.
The tone is set by a Keith Mansfield KPM (library) number, accompanying a Seventies sitcom pastiche title sequence – then the characters enter, one at a time, singing their introductions to the tune of "Day Trip To Bangor" (didn't we have a lov-er-ly time ) Released from any obligation to establish realistic narrative, the absurdist "plot" develops, with Reeves and Mortimer employing their usual cartoonish, surreal devices.
And they are in no small way aided by a superb supporting cast which includes the luscious Morgana Robinson (I would) and in particular Matt Berry; his appearances on "The IT Crowd" were just plain weird, with him delivering his lines like they were on cue-cards he was seeing for the first time – but on this show, the style is perfect.
A second series of "House Of Fools" has recently been commissioned. I for one cannot wait
First they tried the variety format; "Vic Reeves' Big Night Out" ('90-1) then the game-show format; "Shooting Stars" ('93-'11, on and off) and have now tackled sitcom; "House Of Fools" ('14-?) And along the way, they have dabbled with popular drama, sketch-shows and just about everything.
But it is with "House Of Fools" that they have finally found their calling.
The tone is set by a Keith Mansfield KPM (library) number, accompanying a Seventies sitcom pastiche title sequence – then the characters enter, one at a time, singing their introductions to the tune of "Day Trip To Bangor" (didn't we have a lov-er-ly time ) Released from any obligation to establish realistic narrative, the absurdist "plot" develops, with Reeves and Mortimer employing their usual cartoonish, surreal devices.
And they are in no small way aided by a superb supporting cast which includes the luscious Morgana Robinson (I would) and in particular Matt Berry; his appearances on "The IT Crowd" were just plain weird, with him delivering his lines like they were on cue-cards he was seeing for the first time – but on this show, the style is perfect.
A second series of "House Of Fools" has recently been commissioned. I for one cannot wait