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Mapp and Lucia

92 replies

Zanzibaragain · 19/12/2014 22:10

Well that has made my christmas.
Geraldine Mcewan was pretty dam perfect, can't wait to see a new Lucia.

OP posts:
mrssmiling · 30/12/2014 08:58

Glad I found this thread - I love the books and had persuaded DH to watch with me. Alas, it was worth watching but not as good as I had hoped - agree re the teeth (why?) and some of the characters. Lucia seemed a more tolerant and sympathetic character than I remember from the books. Wonderful cast - but agree with everyone that the original series was perfect.

AesopsMables · 30/12/2014 11:51

Just finished watching the first episode and thought it was superb!

I haven't seen the previous production or read the book and am going to make sure I hunt all these out too.

Bravo BBC the best thing on the box this Xmas

carlajean · 30/12/2014 14:12

I also thought that Foljambe (Georgie's) maid, and Lucia's servant were captured very well.

Southeastdweller · 30/12/2014 16:23

At the preview, Miranda Richardson said she hadn't seen the 80's TV series but was 'aware' of it. I agree with others that she seemed to be impersonating Prunella Scales' performance but maybe she was directed into doing so.

Easterchuck · 30/12/2014 16:25

I haven't seen the original but loved last night's episode; the characters, the town, the clothes, the garden.
Best thing that's been on IMO.

FruVikingessOla · 30/12/2014 19:11

I read all the M&L books (plus others by EF Benson) before the original series was aired on TV in the 1980s. (So, erm, yes, I'm a bit ancient - plus I actually have all of that series on video!).

But I'm still looking forward to the next two episodes.

I think that Miranda Richardson (who, let's face it, is a wonderful actor) must have had a 'challenging acting experience' with those teeth Grin

Iwantacampervan · 30/12/2014 19:38

I enjoyed spotting all the places in Rye - a lovely place to visit.

alpacasosoftsnowgentlyfalling · 30/12/2014 19:43

I adore M&L - spent my honeymoon 23 years ago devouring the books Blush
Saving it up for a M&L marathon

Lucia was Geraldine McEwan for me so not sure tbh

alpacasosoftsnowgentlyfalling · 30/12/2014 19:44

or the other way round!

alpacasosoftsnowgentlyfalling · 30/12/2014 20:42

Oh dear not good- I lasted about 10 minutes and the turned it off-grim

Pinkwillow · 30/12/2014 21:41

Over-acting in the extreme.

ConcreteElephant · 30/12/2014 21:47

I am enjoying this second episode more as it happens, though many liberties have been taken with the storyline. As a PP mentioned the Guru is a Riseholme story and Lucia steals him from Daisy Quantock. Georgie's sisters also a Riseholme story. I'm not sure why Steve Pemberton has done this, there's plenty of excellent material in Tilling proper. But I ordinarily love him so he is forgiven.

I've recovered from my initial 'shock' at Anna Chancellor and Miranda Richardson as L and M, and the casting of Hermy and Ursy is very good, just as I've imagined them.

Anyone else tuned in for this second part?

BestIsWest · 30/12/2014 22:02

I want to dress like Anna Chancellor. I long for those trousers.

DeckTheHell · 30/12/2014 22:43

Really enjoying this. Perfect Christmas TV.

FruVikingessOla · 30/12/2014 22:55

"Over-acting in the extreme."

If you've read the books you'll see why. They were written in that style, with most of the lead characters portrayed in that way. To downplay them would simply lose each of their, slightly bonkers, eccentricities Grin

stareatthetvscreen · 30/12/2014 23:22

anna is a bit too gorgeous for lucia surely? 2nd episode good fun.the facial expressions are hilarious.

flightywoman · 31/12/2014 10:03

I was really excited until I read that the Guru story had been moved to Tilling from Riseholme and then I decided not to annoy myself with them.

I've re-read them this year so they're all really fresh in my mind and I just can't see why they've done it - as ConcreteElephant says, there's masses of Tilling to go at, it's pointless.

After the enormous disappointment of What happened to I Capture The Castle I'm not taking the chance!

BringMeTea · 31/12/2014 10:06

I was very disappointed. Had really looked forward to it and a great cast. Miranda Richardson was like Dick Emery's vicar and enunciation nowhere to be found. Bah!

bibliomania · 31/12/2014 10:10

Adored it - I think it totally captures the spirit of the books. I don't mind about changing the plot (I don't think going to sea on a table would really work). Love all the actors. Brilliant, brilliant.

HollyBdenum · 31/12/2014 10:15

I really enjoyed it. I loved the books, but haven't seen the 80s TV series, so this was my first time of seeing the characters outside the book, and I think it worked very well. I am a bit smitten by Anna Chancellor, and I want Lucia's entire wardrobe (and her figure).

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 31/12/2014 10:23

I was looking forward to this but I find the actions of the two women very uncomfortable, with Lucia's bordering on bullying. I know it's meant to be comedy and I can see how it is meant to be funny but I have surprised myself by not liking it at all. Very odd and I don't quite understand why I feel like this.

I tried to watch the second episode but had to give up.

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 31/12/2014 10:24

I can see it is a brilliant production though.

Brightermornings · 31/12/2014 10:29

I've never seen the 80's series or read the books so it's my first experience of mapp and Lucia. I love it!!
I quite fancy reading the books had a look in the kindle store there's quite a lot. Which is the first book??

ConcreteElephant · 31/12/2014 11:12

I've got this complete collection - 77p - an absolute bargain for all 6 books.

I'm re-reading at the moment and enjoying all over again :)

IndridCold · 31/12/2014 11:45

I loved it, as did 16 year old DS (rather to my surprise).

Read the books ages ago, but was never a huge fan. I would definitely go back and give them another go now though. I never liked that older TV version much either, in fact it put me off the books, and it wasn't until later that a friend made me try them.

It may be that this adaptation may do a better job at finding new fans, rather than pleasing the already existing ones.

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