The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff (2011– )

Stars:

Robert Webb, Katherine Parkinson, Finlay Christie

Cast

Series cast summary:
Robert Webb	...	Jedrington Secret-Past (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Katherine Parkinson	...	Conceptiva (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Finlay Christie	...	Victor (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Ambra Lily Keegan	...	Victoria (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Tim McInnerny	...	Harmswell Grimstone (3 episodes, 2012)
Derek Griffiths	...	Pusweasel (3 episodes, 2012)
Sarah Hadland	...	Primly Tightclench (3 episodes, 2012)
Kevin Eldon	...	Servegood (3 episodes, 2012)
Blake Harrison	...	Smalcolm (3 episodes, 2012)
Mark Evans	...	Businessman (3 episodes, 2011-2012)
David Mitchell	...	Jolliforth Jollington (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Llewella Gideon	...	Mrs. Grrumblechoop (2 episodes, 2012)
Fergus Craig	...	Poor Person (2 episodes, 2012)
Margaret Cabourn-Smith	...	Moustache Woman (2 episodes, 2012)
Adrian Edmondson	...	Headmaster Wackville (2 episodes, 2012)
Hector McCormick	...	Date-And-Time Boy (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Calum MacPherson	...	Gob (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Abigail Burdess	...	Mary-Anne (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Dave Lamb	...	Ghost of Christmas Past (2 episodes, 2011-2012)

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 2011 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #17.36 (2012)

User Reviews

Well, I liked it!

I was quite surprised to come on here and see bad reviews... but I guess if you watch this program expecting it to be a thoughtful satire of Dickens then you might be a little disappointed. This program is, in a word, silly- and it is fantastic at being silly! Someone mentioned that it has the 'usual suspects' of the Beeb getting together- something they saw as a bad thing. Now, I am a fan of Mitchell, Webb, Fry etc, but putting that aside- this program seemed to me like a group of people getting together and having a laugh. So yes, the actors seem to be typecast... but they're playing the roles they love to play.

I don't think they were trying to be clever or make a new classic, they're just having fun. There are lots of shout-outs to Dickens (and our modern conceptions/interpretations of Dickens- Mitchell's character literally swelling with joy being a good example).

No, there's not much substance. There's a hearty nod to the Dickensian plot, a liberal smattering of caricatures and a mob of cannibalistic urchins. There are false moustaches and clockwork hats. There are silly ideas, and clever ideas (the three clocks).

Don't watch this expecting a serious film. Get some popcorn, relax and enjoy an hour of pastiche. You'll get to see Webb in a leading role, and you can play 'spot the comedian' with the supporting cast. Stephen Fry makes a fun villain with a stunning selection of hats. Robert Webb gets cooked with onions and arrested for not being manly. Parkinson gets addicted to treacle. Watch it, you'll enjoy it. ;)