'Up The Garden Path' was one of three BBC Radio 4 sitcoms ( the other two being 'After Henry' and 'Second Thoughts' ) that transferred from radio to television. It was written by Sue Limb and starred Imelda Staunton as Izzy Comyn, a schoolteacher who has a penchant for starting relationships with unsuitable men. Strangely enough, when it became a television series, the BBC failed to pick it up ( as was the case with the two other shows ), so instead it was commissioned by the newly established Carlton Television. Humprey Barclay, with years of comedy experience behind him, came in as producer and director.
In the first series, Izzy is smitten by Michael ( Nicolas Le Provest ), who in turn has a thing for Izzy, despite being married to the lovely Louise ( Susan Kyd ). In series two, she is in a relationship with Charles Armstrong ( David Robb ), an obnoxious upper-class type and by the third and final series, she has her sights set on scallywag Bill Bailey ( Neil McCaul , not the bearded comic from 'Black Books' ). All relationships end in disaster.
Izzy's friends include Maria ( Tessa Peake Jones ), who leads a troubled marriage with her Welsh, womanising husband Gwyn ( Tom Mannion ) and Dick ( Mike Grady ), a soft-hearted pottery teacher who has a soft spot for Izzy, however his passion for her is not reciprocated.
'Up The Garden Path' is a gentle sitcom with a fair share of funny moments scattered about. To date, it appears to be Limb's only writing credit. The lovely Imelda Staunton is rather good in the role of Izzy, though she would be seen to better comic effect a few years later in Simon Nye's legal sitcom 'Is It Legal?'. Tessa Peake Jones was known previously for playing Raquel in 'Only Fools & Horses', while 'Citizen Smith' fans will remember Mike Grady as Wolfie's best mate Ken. Susan Kyd went on to star alongside Russ Abbot in the ill fated 'Married For Life', a British adaption of the US sitcom 'Married With Children'.
The show's theme tune is 'Ain't Misbehavin'', sung beautifully by Imelda. While no classic, it is worth watching for Imelda Staunton fans and compared to the dreadful 'Second Thoughts', it is a masterpiece.
In the first series, Izzy is smitten by Michael ( Nicolas Le Provest ), who in turn has a thing for Izzy, despite being married to the lovely Louise ( Susan Kyd ). In series two, she is in a relationship with Charles Armstrong ( David Robb ), an obnoxious upper-class type and by the third and final series, she has her sights set on scallywag Bill Bailey ( Neil McCaul , not the bearded comic from 'Black Books' ). All relationships end in disaster.
Izzy's friends include Maria ( Tessa Peake Jones ), who leads a troubled marriage with her Welsh, womanising husband Gwyn ( Tom Mannion ) and Dick ( Mike Grady ), a soft-hearted pottery teacher who has a soft spot for Izzy, however his passion for her is not reciprocated.
'Up The Garden Path' is a gentle sitcom with a fair share of funny moments scattered about. To date, it appears to be Limb's only writing credit. The lovely Imelda Staunton is rather good in the role of Izzy, though she would be seen to better comic effect a few years later in Simon Nye's legal sitcom 'Is It Legal?'. Tessa Peake Jones was known previously for playing Raquel in 'Only Fools & Horses', while 'Citizen Smith' fans will remember Mike Grady as Wolfie's best mate Ken. Susan Kyd went on to star alongside Russ Abbot in the ill fated 'Married For Life', a British adaption of the US sitcom 'Married With Children'.
The show's theme tune is 'Ain't Misbehavin'', sung beautifully by Imelda. While no classic, it is worth watching for Imelda Staunton fans and compared to the dreadful 'Second Thoughts', it is a masterpiece.
