Charles Dickens, the renowned Victorian writer of such epics as ‘Great Expectations’, and ‘Bleak House’, has been puntastically parodied by BBC 4, in a radio series which details the life of the fictional ‘Pip Bin’, documented weekly by ‘Mr. Sourquill’. Pip, who, by the way, is the acclaimed inventor of the bin, recounts his adventures as a young man, and his frequent battles against his evil ex-guardian, Mr. Gently Benevolent. Along with the assistance of his best friend, Harry Biscuit (who’s father invented the biscuit), and throughout the five series, Pip is able to save his family, Queen Victoria, and even the world!
We begin by hearing the details of Pip’s blissful childhood – his loving sisters, Pippa and Poppy, and their comfortable family life. However, (in true Dickensian style), following the suddenly tragic, and dramatic death of their father and their mother’s bout of madness, the children are left in the clutches of the evil Mr. Benevolent. Pip is sent to boarding school, his sisters to a nunnery, and their mother to an asylum. That is, until, Mr. Benevolent reveals his plan to marry Mrs. Bin, and take control of the family fortune! Luckily for Pip, his sisters, newfound best friend Harry, and previously unknown Aunt Lily (who just happens to work for the Victorian secret service), are able to assist him in saving his mother, as well as acquiring a new family fortune along the way.
In great comedic style, the spectacular series apparently took it upon itself to parody as many popular works of fiction as possible. Not only are the works of Dickens imitated, but also Les Miserables, War of the Worlds, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Frankenstein, and Grease. Although not technically a literary parody, the series even satirises the Russian civil war, the protagonists coming across two Russian armies, fighting over how to spell the word Tsar (Tsar-ists V.S. Czar-ists). Another element, which the show contains, which is almost always true of great comedy, is several reoccurring jokes. These include, but are certainly not limited to; Harry Biscuit’s strange affinity for swans, Pippa Bin’s love of metalwork, and Pip Bin’s accidental murders of a single family each series, who are all voiced by the same actor. In series one, it was the Hardthrashers, followed by the Sternbeaters in Series 2, then the Whackwhallops, Grimpunches, and Clampvultures. Of course, the majority of the killings are accidental (because ‘good guys’ are never intentional murderers).
This exuberant, hilarious and, unfortunately, ended series is certainly something which everyone should listen to. The classic sound effects, typically synonymous with radio commentary, combine satire, irony, and just plain silliness and add to its charm with the cleverly placed poignant moments contrasting, creating well rounded characters, along with a wonderful plot. Although the show will certainly be missed, the thirty, thirty minute episodes undoubtedly should not be. As Harry Biscuit would say, Harrumble for Bleak Expectations!
Image used: http://www.bbcshop.com/content/ebiz/bbc/invt/9781408468579/bleak_expectations_300.jpg
0 Comment:
Be the first one to comment on this article.