Decline and Fall

A must-see for any fans of Jack Whitehall, Eva Longoria, and Stephen Graham. My only complaint is it's only three episodes!

This must have been one of the last performances of TPS. Surprised this was not acknowledged in the credits. A great loss of a great actor. First came to my attention in the wonderful adaptation of Paul Scott's "Jewel in the Crown" novels. Admired for many roles since. I had tickets to see him in Northampton this April which sadly had to be returned. Condolences to friends and family.

The main stars are Jack Whitehall, Eva Longoria, David Suchet, Douglas Hodge, and Stephen Graham, but there is a fine supporting cast as well.

Decline and Fall opens at an Oxford College on an evening in 1928. Two elderly porters are quietly sipping their port in front of a fireplace. The two are played, as if in homage to two great British series of the past, by Tim Piggot-Smith (in one of his last roles); and Nickolas Grace, who played Anthony Blanche in Brideshead Revisited. There is suddenly a commotion overhead. Aristocratic students, members of the Bullingdon Club, are destroying a room and college property. They spill out onto the street. A hapless theology student, Paul Pennyfeather, passes by and is attacked and stripped by the rowdy group. He rushes, naked, back to his digs, but is thrown out of Oxford for running through the college nude.

The rest of the three-hour series deals with Paul's adventures after he leaves Oxford. I highly recommend it.

Anyone saying this series is poor needs a good whacking. I laughed through the whole bit and was very entertained. If you read a bit of history and study the schools of the time, 1920's, the series reflects the true history of UK education. This was very enjoyable and I look forwards to more from this capable group of producers.

As a lifelong enthusiast for the writing of Evelyn Waugh, I thought I would never again see a revival of interest in his work. I am glad to say that this adaptation - on the evidence of Episode 1 - ensures that I couldn't have been more wrong, as it will undoubtedly attract a whole new audience. There is sheer quality in every aspect of this production and I found myself laughing out loud throughout. Everything is perfect - casting, script, characterisation, editing; it doesn't put a foot wrong. It seems unfair to single out any one contribution, but Douglas Hodge has so much fun with the character of the deeply dubious unidexter Captain Grimes, you cannot help but be impressed while you giggle. I can't wait to watch the remaining episodes, but simply wish to congratulate the whole team on this first showing. Bravo! On viewing the second episode, there is nothing to add other than that the very high standard has been maintained - a relief and an uproarious pleasure.