: Technically a deputy manager, he works more efficiently as the centre's caretaker. Laura Farrell (ne Lancing) is the Deputy Manager Dry of Whitbury Leisure Centre. The Brittas Empire: . But to figure out what went wrong, we need to skip backwards three years. None of the series happened. . The wonderful cast of "The Brittas Empire" together again for their 30 year reunion. Helen is often helped by her supportive friend Laura Lancing (Julia St John), Brittas' calm, efficient deputy manager. How did your role in Son of Clich come about & what memories do you have working on this show? You thought it was better for morale. The will they/won't they set-up with Laura and Brittas had been brilliant and there was. International TV Schedules(Part 1) General Sitcoms News and Discussion The Brittas Empire - The Complete Series 4 [1994] The Brittas Empire - The Complete Series 2 [1992] The Brittas Empire - The Complete Series 1 [1991] More Titles Starring Julia St John. . You fell right down and broke your crown. [23] In 2017, Digital Spy wrote, that the show "arguably inspired Ricky Gervais' The Office in the early noughties, which went on to have huge success so it's only natural The Brittas Empire may be in for a reboot". Mike Burns/Colin Weatherby . | Union of South Africa, the Blower, Bentley, the 1920s Ford Tri-motor Airliner, the Papplewick pump house, the Caterpillar 789 dump truck, the Ducatti 999, the Foden 6 ton steam wagon, the paddle steamer Waverly the list goes on. His 'loyal' staff have stories of their own, like . News . Only way they could do it,IMO,is if they showed Brittas had passed the interview he was on his way to. [1], The Brittas Empire enjoyed a long and successful run throughout the 1990s, and gained large mainstream audiences. Julia St John is an English actress. She was certainly missed in later series. [21], Talks of a Christmas special or a revival were raised in 2015, though ultimately neither project were picked up. Im looking after you. Thorpe has also maintained a film career, with turns in Calendar Girls, The Calling, That's for Me! [16], British Comedy Guide writes in 2021 that "Thirty years since its debut on television screens and The Brittas Empire has aged very well. Of course they are all great roles but I have always though that Kryten would be the most suitable for me. | Colin has several medical problems including skin allergies, a constantly bandaged infected hand, and a sizeable boil on his face. . The other core members of the team are Carole (Harriet Thorpe) the unfortunate, often tearful receptionist, who keeps her three children in the reception drawers and cupboards; the gentle-hearted Gavin (Tim Marriott) who becomes Deputy Manager in Series 5; his paranoid, sometimes-manic partner Tim (Russell Porter); lively, principled Linda (Jill Greenacre); and Julie (Judy Flynn), Brittas' sarcastic secretary, who hates her boss and refuses to do any work for him. Due to the unexplained collapse of his last Leisure Centre during his time in temporary charge, he was given a glowing reference and 'encouraged' to take up a managerial position at Whitbury Newtown Leisure Centre. Do you keep in touch with the Brittas cast? Tim is returning to the screen though he's currently filming the drama The Real Thing. Laura Lancing For example, in the first series, the leisure centre prepares for a royal visit, only for the doors to seal, the boiler room to flood and a visitor to become electrocuted. St Lucie County Planning And Zoning, When you are riding your motorcycle and shooting a pistol using your throttle hand, how is the bike still moving? MOTHER: In your own little bed. Would you like to do more stand up comedy? Em-Con - The wonderful cast of "The Brittas Empire . The interesting bit, though, is how he fails. [20] Red Dwarf Smegazine argued in 1993 that while Red Dwarf had been a success, "Chris [Barrie] is perhaps better known by many TV viewers for The Brittas Empire". At the start of the she is quite a normal sane person, but by the final season shes chasing people around the sports centre with an axe, which is one of her more milder moments. May 21, 2021. 'Laura' left the show after series five, at the same time as the creators and writers. Why can't we use the canteen? Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Laura's Leaving. Why not? [4] At the same time Barrie was playing Brittas, he was also playing his other well-known role of Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf. She's also had recurring roles in the likes of Dalziel and Pascoe, Scott & Bailey and Silent Witness. Was this a conscious decision on your part or were they simply the jobs offered to you? Why wasn't Julia St John in the last series? Hopefully we will have a reunion again soon as it is over 10 years since we finished the last Brittas recording. [10], The series was rerun on Gold in 2009.[11]. Filming & Production Stage Ludmilla in Alasdair Gray 's McGrotty and Ludmilla at Tron Theatre (1986) [2] Unlike many traditional sitcoms, deaths were quite commonplace in The Brittas Empire. Menu. Helen Brittas What made you decide/realise that this was the right career path for you? Filming & Production The Brittas Empire is a British sitcom created by Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen. The Brittas Empire is what I would call typical British comedy that was output in the late eighties and nineties (it ran from 1991-1997). This was originally meant to be the end of the show's run. He can be contacted by emailing here. Laura 36 episodes, 1991-1994 Stephen Churchett . Believe me, you wouldn't want to touch it. Following Brittas, Julia St John collaborated with Harry Enfield on the comedian's Harry Enfield and Chums as well as his follow-up series, Brand Spanking New Show. On 6 March 2023, Drama began repeating the series. Do Polyunsaturated Fats Raise Hdl, Frankly though, I wouldnt be terribly keen to put on a mask everyday. [repeated line, every time Mr. Brittas asks for an explanation] by Little Mix. Artemis And Apollo Relationship, [Brittas thinks Carole is putting on too much weight] The Managers Office. Yes, definitely! Thanks for this article I couldnt help but be reminded of the legendary finale of Newhart, which did the exact same thing but in a way that the audience absolutely loved. When I have some time I am going to compile my top 20 favourite Red Dwarf lines and put them on the site. The Demons outfit in Demons and Angels it was a bit tight in many places! Be sure to follow him on Twitter and on the Pissed Off Geek Facebook page. , Excluding Get Fit With Brittas an strange little 610 minute series with Brittas advocating how to live a healthy lifestyle. "Curse of the Tiger Women" is the final episode which aired in 1997. When it comes to the quality of The Brittas Empire it is fair to say that the comedy situations do start at a high quality, then tend to lose their effect as the series goes on. "[17] The character has been described by critics as a popular portrayal of an Aspergers character along with Mr Bean, as they both demonstrate inappropriate social behaviour. Chris Barrie played titular character Gordon Brittas, the well-intended but hugely incompetent manager of the fictional Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. The Brittas Empire is what I would call typical British comedy that was output in the late eighties and nineties (it ran from 1991-1997). Outside the centre. Join us in our mission to support and promote British comedy across the decades. Release Dates The generally accepted sequence of events is that writers Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss intended Series 5 to be the last series, the BBC recommissioned the show due to good viewing figures, Fegen/Norriss werent interested in returning, and so the BBC hired in new writers and told them to get working. (This version is going to be called Massive Speed.). Laura Lancing Produced and Directed by: David Askey In 2022, the series was described by Daily Mirror as "fondly-remembered". Very difficult to choose one episode from over eight series I have to say. The Brittas Empire is a British sitcom created and originally written by Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen. I would have to say Ace Rimmer was my favourite. I can't see him till ten, can I? I was never quite sure myself what the reason was. Outside the centre. Laura Lancing | Yes, yes, ho fucking ho. Just as the music for Ever Decreasing Circles reflects Martins swirling insanity, the music for Sorry! Have started a JSJ LJ community It will act as a companion to the JSJ Online website - which is in the throws of a re-design and new content waiting to be added! You do pity her at times, but she also gets her own back on him by making his life hell through her own insane schemes. In a mainstream BBC family sitcom in 1982, however, I cant imagine anyone would have figured out what was going on before the revelation they may have figured out at some point that this was a dream, but they wouldnt have figured out exactly when or how it started. Which voices did you do on Spitting Image? I do occasionally use mimicry when I present at corporate events so its altogether a dormant muscle!! , Lets forget about the bizarre final episode of Series 4, Collapse of a Small Party, where Timothy gets mixed up in saving a circus from bailiffs. From Brittas being kicked out of heaven, his crazed wife chasing one of her ex-lovers through the sports centre, and of course the centre itself almost being destroyed at the end of every season. Have started a JSJ LJ community It will act as a companion to the JSJ Online website - which is in the throws of a re-design and new content waiting to be added! Gavin Featherly Did you enjoy doing the commentaries for the DVD releases and do you know if you will be contributing to future DVDs on something other than commentaries? From the Manager. [4], The Brittas Empire was "quietly revolutionary" for featuring two gay male characters, "neither remotely camp yet both very funny", which was a first for a television comedy.[5]. Its a chance to look over the series again and catch up with the cast. No less than seventeen episodes were broadcast1, across two series and amongst those seventeen were some of the shows very best episodes. She played Laura superbly and possibly thought that the character had been just about fully explored. Sorry! Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder, "Jefferson's Garden Theatre Watford Palace Theatre", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Julia_St_John&oldid=1148499078, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 14:59. He said he's rather take his chances in the snow. Sadly, St John hasn't acted for a while now her last on-screen appearance was in 2012, in the Bollywood movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan. [9], Tickets for the live recordings were available by writing to the BBC TV Ticket unit - while tickets were free, participants had to be aged 14 and up. Julia St John . I was running out of things to do because I kept getting the sack from various jobs performing was the only thing left to try. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Brittas_Empire&oldid=1147502882, 1990s British black comedy television series, 1990s British satirical television series, 1990s British workplace comedy television series, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Articles with dead YouTube links from February 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, From 2003, Eureka Video began bringing the entire series to, This page was last edited on 31 March 2023, at 11:26. She also made regular. As writing assignments go, it has to be said this was a pretty thankless task. Where all is revealed: TIMOTHY: Where am I? With some programmes, maybe youd be expecting some kind of twist like this; sometimes it almost feels a surprise when Star Trek goes a bit odd and then it doesnt turn out to be some kind of hallucination. MOTHER: Yes. [26], The show has been credited with having an influence on Alan Partridge and The Office.[27]. Timothy goes back up the stairs, and gives his mother her medicine. The Brittas Empire - Series 1 View episodes. Did I keep the Austin Maestro used in the Brittas Series? Brittas is on the way to his interview for the job of manager at Whitbury Newtown Leisure Centre and everything was all a dream. Starring Chris Barrie in one of his most memorable roles as Gordon Brittas in many ways he was the original David Brent, just even more annoying. Find out where to watch The Brittas Empire from Season 3 at TV Guide The show ran for seven series and 52 episodes - including two Christmas specials - from 1991 to 1997 on BBC1. The Brittas empire. Although Chris Barrie does arguably hold the show together with Gordon, there are still many more likable roles in the show. Despite it being easy to understand what would have caused the writers to do it, its difficult to think of a more diabolical way to end the programme. Could you give this to my husband? (A wry smile and a wink will get you further than relentless exasperation.). Outside the centre. Company Credits I enjoy them both, that is why Ihave doneeight series of Red Dwarf plus Back to Earth and have now completed five series of engineering related documentariesand why I have just said yes to doing another series of Massive. Laura Lancing The Brittas Empire: The Complete Series 1-7 : Chris Barrie, Philippa Haywood, Julia St John, Harriet Thorpe, Judy Flynn, Tim Marriott, Russell Porter, Jill Greenacre . He has had some great story lines, scenes and dialogue. . The fundamental problem with this is obvious, and it doesnt take a great deal of analysis. The Gressley A4 class Pacific. There are some quality issues in the production, especially in later seasons but this does not get in the way of the stories that still hold up and are at times laugh out loud funny. : Judy Flynn/Julie Porter. He forgot the spoon, the daft bastard. Difficult to compare the two in terms of actually making them. Russell Porter/Tim Whistler. Series five was originally meant to be the final series, and Norriss and Fegen killed . It would probably be best to ask her. At the end of Series 5 Norriss and Fegen killed off Brittas when he was crushed to death by a falling water tank. Usually that character is a waste of everybodys time but here, its done right. (No disrespect to all Maestro Owners). I spoke to one of the forensic scientist, Gavin. Gordon Brittas [3], The creators Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen often combined farce with either surreal or dramatic elements in episodes. Did I keep the Austin Maestro used in the Brittas Series? Do you plan to use your talent as an impressionist in future projects? TV Shows. The Brittas Empire is a British sitcom created and originally written by Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen. In 2004 the show came 47th on the BBC's Britain's Best Sitcom poll,[2] and all series have been released on DVD both individually as series and as a complete boxset. Yeah, I gave him your message about staying, Mr. Brittas. Thorpe returned to her Absolutely Fabulous role (Fleur) for the recent movie version of the series, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. All seven series were released on DVD in the United Kingdom by Eureka Video, and also in Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Do you keep in touch with the Brittas cast? In 2004, Flynn had recurring roles in Channel 5's soap opera Family Affairs and medical drama No Angels. He advised "there's so much momentum for it now's the time." Helen Brittas Helen Brittas ( Pippa Haywood) finds it increasingly difficult to cope with Gordon, and often turns to pills and affairs with other men to maintain her sanity. The moments of attraction between her and Brittas were some of the most emotionally touching in the entire series, but the character also manages the seemingly impossible: the sensible woman character amongst all the chaos. They really were just a sweet couple whos sexuality is barely touched upon which arguably makes them two of the most positive just-happen-to-be-gay characters on television, then and now. You thought it was better for morale. Chris Barrie played Brittas again in the short fitness series spin-off, Get Fit with Brittas. Gordon Brittas Its not just something pulled out of a hat to provide some kind of shocking twist it makes sense. Best Neighborhoods In Sherwood Oregon, Outside the centre. . Helen Brittas Where the hell would any series actually go from there? Paul can often be found on Twitter talking about his favourite movies, games, technology and books when he is not reviewing them and adding news to Pissed Off Geek. The clues are there in plain view, yet theres no chance youll work it out before youre told. Copyright 2023 Pissed Off Geek. Whatever the faults of the last two series, taming it down into a normal sitcom is not one of them. This content is imported from YouTube. The writing was invariablyof a high standard and I felt that if we werent working at our best we would be letting the show down. Barrie returned as Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf series 12 last year. Her television credits include A Touch of Frost, The Brittas Empire, Agatha Christie's Poirot, Lovejoy, Minder, Harry Enfield and Chums, Lewis, and Victoria Wood, appearing in the episode Over To Pam. Brittas: Chris Barrie. For all that Brittas is an atypical show full of death and danger and the odd maiming, like any sitcom its all about the characters. Well, after today's events I thought the news had rather lost its novelty value. Release Calendar DVD & Blu-ray Releases Top Rated Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office . The emotional beats arent as good, the lines arent as sharp, and the plots arent half as well constructed always the biggest strength of Fegen and Norriss but those last two series perhaps work better than they could have done. According to Barrie, Gordon Brittas is well-meaning but insensitive because he has a lofty dream to make the world a better place, but he doesn't know how to execute it on the small-scale. His other deputy manager is the dim-witted but kind Colin Weatherby (Mike Burns) (credited as Michael Burns in series 1, 2 and 3). I still do what can be termed stand up comedy although it is more of an after dinner speech these days. Early morning, and Muriel and Timothy leave the house to catch their train. Gordon Brittas From the very first episode, weve been hearing about Gordons metaphorical dream; the final episode reveals hes been having an actual one. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. High Tide Avalon Nj Today, datasets for linear discriminant analysis, Do Nike Employees Get Discounts On Jordans. Its easy to see how Fegen and Norriss might have decided further series really werent such a good idea. It is an ending that is not well regarded by many critics and viewers and is viewed as a poor ending for such a well loved and popular show. Porter has retired from telly and film, but hopefully he'll be back if Chris Barrie gets his wish and the show's brought back for another series, something he discussed at the MCM Comic Con in 2014, shortly after appearing as the character in a Little Mix video. Laura is calm and extremely efficient at management, often bringing normality back to the centre after a disaster has escalated. (The reason for Brittas failing the medical for Brussels is especially amusing: He was dead!) Its also worth noting that the first episode of Series 6 even takes the unresolved plot point of an bomb from the penultimate episode of the previous series, and resolves it in the usual Brittas manner. Laura is usually warm and understanding, and has peoples' best interests at heart. Jill has spent much of her career following Brittas supporting up and coming filmmakers by taking part in a series of short films, as well as feature films including Black Smoke Rising, Dead End, After Melanie, and Finding Fatimah. . Who knows?? Written by: Ian Davidson and Peter Vincent As not only owner, managing editor and webmaster of the site he is also the owner of Pissed Off Geek sister site Truly Disturbing. (No disrespect to all Maestro Owners) For the first five series the show's creators Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss co-wrote every episode. Helen Brittas What happened next is uncertain. Recently youve been moving towards presenting rather than acting. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Contracts, Directed by: Christine Gernon She also returned to her comedy roots in the likes of The Wrong Door, Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge and Green Wing, all of which would appeal to Brittas fans. Secondly, Series 5 was all about sending off the characters to their own happy endings all that had to be cancelled, inevitably rather awkwardly. Release Dates The Brittas empire. Where are the original Loose Women hosts now? How very clever. I keep wanting to call the series underrated, but perhaps that isnt the right word when it ran for seven series throughout much of the 80s in a primetime slot on BBC1. Timothy goes back up the stairs. The show ran for seven series and 53 episodes including two Christmas specials from 1991 to 1997 on BBC1. Julia St John /Laura Lancing. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Official Sites Helen Brittas finds coping with Gordon increasingly difficult and often turns to medication and affairs with other men to maintain her sanity. The actress appeared on Casualty last year, playing Raquel Kovak. Stuart, Florida Newspaper Obituaries, I would have to say it is a tie between Arnie Rimmer and Mr Brittas. Where are Hollyoaks' missing McQueens now? | All Rights Reserved. I associate the time with carefree days of the early 80s, we had a lot of fun doing the show, similar to early Red Dwarf days. I'll be trying to do at least one picture post Julia St John piccys. : Even the title sequence at first glance an inappropriate LE neon nightmare is strangely apposite on reflection. : All of these were just magnificent pieces of kit and to have a job actually spending a day on them is, for me, simply paradise! Both characters were either given fantastic dialogue or brilliant situations or both! We all know Timothy wont be leaving his mother this time round; destroying the whole setup of the show at the end of the first series isnt especially likely. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, production manager (25 episodes, 1993-1997), production manager (16 episodes, 1996-1997), production manager (13 episodes, 1991-1992), properties buyer (22 episodes, 1993-1996), properties buyer (16 episodes, 1994-1997), properties buyer (13 episodes, 1991-1992), sound (uncredited) (6 episodes, 1994-1997), special effects technician (1 episode, 1994), visual effects designer (52 episodes, 1991-1997), visual effects designer (3 episodes, 1992-1996), visual effects designer (1 episode, 1991), camera supervisor / location camera (38 episodes, 1993-1997), lighting / lighting director (36 episodes, 1991-1994), camera supervisor / location camera (17 episodes, 1991-1993), lighting / lighting director (16 episodes, 1996-1997), grips / grip / rigger grip (7 episodes, 1994-1997), chief electrician / senior electrician (4 episodes, 1994-1996), camera supervisor (2 episodes, 1991-1992), casting advisor / casting adviser (15 episodes, 1996-1997), videotape editor (50 episodes, 1991-1997), composer: title music (49 episodes, 1991-1997), composer: incidental music (1 episode, 1994), resource coordinator / resources coordinator / technical coordinator / resource coordinator & computer screens (51 episodes, 1991-1997), assistant floor manager (24 episodes, 1994-1996), production assistant (13 episodes, 1996-1997), assistant floor manager (9 episodes, 1996-1997), assistant floor manager (7 episodes, 1992), assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1991), assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1993).

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