Clarence (British TV series)

Clarence is a 1988 BBC situation comedy starring Ronnie Barker and Josephine Tewson, written by Ronnie Barker under the pseudonym "Bob Ferris" as an acknowledgement to Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, creators of Porridge. It was Barker's final sitcom appearance before his retirement.

Clarence
GenreSitcom
Created byRonnie Barker
Written byBob Ferris
StarringRonnie Barker
Josephine Tewson
Opening theme"(Keep Your) Sunny Side Up"
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes6
Production
Running time30 minutes per episode
DistributorBBC Studios
2entertain
ABC (Australia, home video)
Release
Original networkBBC2
Original release4 January (1988-01-04) –
8 February 1988 (1988-02-08)

Barker had previously faced some criticism over his employment of a stammer for comedic effect in Open All Hours. However, the slapstick potential of a short-sighted furniture shifter must have seemed irresistible. The series was inspired by "The Removals Person" by Hugh Leonard,[1] an episode in the 1971 LWT comedy anthology series, Six Dates With Barker. The pilot episode has the same plot and a very similar script, even to the extent of Tewson reprising her earlier role. The only significant difference is that in "The Removals Person" Barker's character is named Fred.

Only one series of Clarence was made, which is now available on DVD. The series is also available in Region 4 Australia with the same cover art. The house of Jane Travers, which inspired the opening titles, is located on Malvern Road in Cheltenham.

Plot

In 1937, on the day of King George VI's coronation, Clarence Sale, a myopic removal man is clearing the house of a snooty upper-class lady who is moving abroad. There, he meets Jane Travers, her maid. The pair are mutually attracted and soon Clarence proposes to her. Jane decides that they should have a trial period of living together in a small cottage she has been given in an inheritance to see if they are compatible, with a bolster in the bed to preserve her chastity. The series followed this unconventional relationship, as well as Clarence's attempts at his furniture-moving profession.

Cast
Clarence region 2 DVD cover.

DVD Releases

In Australia, Region 4, The series was released on 9 August 2006. It was then re-release as "The Complete Series" on 20 August 2014.

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1Episode 1Mike StephensBob Ferris4 January 1988 (1988-01-04)
It's Coronation Day 1937 and Clarence meets maid Travers while he moves her employers home. It could be love at first sight if, of course, he could see her properly. Guest starring Phyllida Law and Julia Deakin
2Episode 2Mike StephensBob Ferris11 January 1988 (1988-01-11)
Travers holds back on accepting to Clarence's proposal until she is sure she can live with him. So the couple decide move to the Oxfordshire countryside and begin a trial-run. Guest starring Richard Caldicot.
3Episode 3Mike StephensBob Ferris18 January 1988 (1988-01-18)
In the Oxfordshire countryside Clarence returns to his moving profession working for the vicar's wife.
4Episode 4Mike StephensBob Ferris25 January 1988 (1988-01-25)
Travers believes looking after chickens will help her decide whether Clarence is husband material. Of course he has to build the run first.
5Episode 5Mike StephensBob Ferris1 February 1988 (1988-02-01)
Not many people are moving in the countryside so Clarence has to find other work.
6Episode 6Mike StephensBob Ferris8 February 1988 (1988-02-08)
Travers continues to evade Clarence's proposals and money continues to be tight. The couple find work at a big house in the village. Guest starring Gwen Nelson and Damaris Hayman.

References
  1. BFI.org


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