Review of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators

Afternoon television at its best.At last the BBC has found a good vehicle for the wonderful Miss J.Joyner,who has long displayed a latent talent for light comedy equal to her ability as a serious actor. Initially playing the hapless victim of a large - scale fraud who teams up with Mr M.Benton's ex -cop turned private eye to investigate the murder of her short - lived husband for which she is a prime suspect. Forget the silly names and the flimsy pretext of being based in Stratford - on - Avon,"Shakespeare and Hathaway" is very funny in its own right. An out - of work actor does dog work for them..."an out - of - work RADA actor" as he points out sotto voce and he has some good lines. The local law is represented by two of Mr Benton's former protegees who now regard him somewhat suspiciously as having gone rogue. This is a seriously difficult slot in the schedule to fill satisfactorily - previously "The Commander" threatened to succeed but failed after a promising start. If the BBC leave this one to develop it's own momentum I am hopeful that it's viewing figures will ensure it's "Doubles all - round" in the BBC bar come the end of its first season.