"The Brittas Empire" (1991) TV series 1991-1997

Creators:

Richard Fegen
Andrew Norriss

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

3 January 1991 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Gordon Brittas is the manager of the Whitbury-Newtown Leisure Centre. Despite his ambition and good intentions...

Plot Keywords:

Gay Character | Colleagues | Twist In The End

Cast

Chris Barrie	...	Gordon Brittas / ... (52 episodes, 1991-1997)
Michael Burns	...	Colin / ... (52 episodes, 1991-1997)
Tim Marriott	...	Gavin / ... (52 episodes, 1991-1997)
Russell Porter	...	Tim / ... (52 episodes, 1991-1997)
Harriet Thorpe	...	Carole / ... (52 episodes, 1991-1997)
Pippa Haywood	...	Helen / ... (51 episodes, 1991-1997)
Jill Greenacre	...	Linda / ... (51 episodes, 1991-1997)
Judy Flynn	...	Julie (45 episodes, 1992-1997)
Julia St. John	...	Laura (36 episodes, 1991-1995)

Runtime:

30 min (52 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Ringwood Recreation Centre, Ringwood, Hampshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Julie is originally from Rotherham.

Quotes:

Gordon Brittas: It is seven years to the day since the first member of the public walked through those doors.
Gavin Featherly: And you threw him out, Mr. Brittas!
Gordon Brittas: He was wearing unauthorised water wings, Gavin.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Red Dwarf: Back from the Dead - Series VII (2005) (V)

"Excellent!"

I've never understood the school of thought which says all prime time comedy is 'bland' whilst anything post-watershed is 'dark' and 'original'. 'The Brittas Empire' was enjoyed by a family audience, yet also managed to be 'dark'; people got shot, electrocuted, decapitated etc. Chris Barrie played 'Gordon Brittas', manager of a leisure centre, a man whose incompetence is matched only by his delusions of grandeur. His put-upon staff include the odious handyman Colin and emotionally overwrought receptionist Carole. Brittas' wife Helen is neurotic and who can blame her for being so? Richard Fegen and Andrew Noriss have not received nearly enough credit for their cleverly constructed scripts, which carefully balanced 'slapstick' with 'black comedy'. They had the sense to include normal characters such as Laura. Comedy shows peopled entirely by loonies get tiresome very quickly. Not regarded as one of the comedy classics of the '90's, but funnier than many of the ones that are.