Having succeeded in reading the Mervyn Peake Gormenghast trilogy, I finally looked forward to the TV series of which there was much curiosity. Could Peake's sprawling tale of Steerpike's Machiavellian rise and grave descent really be translated that well on TV or would it be better realised as a film? The truth is it works very nicely on the TV and who better to do it justice than the superb cast who are the cream of British and Irish acting.
The tale starts with a brief look at the rituals and boredom of the Groan family who rule Gormenghast. Set in a sort of mad, medieval world of rules, rituals and regulations, the Groans are a tortured family of ageing upper class royalty. There is Lord Groan, played in brilliant torment by the late Ian Richardson, Lady Groan wonderfully realised by Celia Imrie and Fuchsia Groan, their lovely but half mad child-woman daughter. There is also the usual assorted collection of hangers-on and nobility such as Dr Prunesquallor and his sister, various servants like Flay (brilliantly realised by Christopher Lee) and Mrs Slagg and, much later on, grotesques like the Cook played by a horrific looking Richard Griffiths. Enter into this colourful mixture the youth Steerpike who comes from the kitchens and attempts to kill, drive mad or seduce his way into the Groan family.
The castle itself is a wonder to look at and the set design is why Britain is so good at making these sort of series.
The tale starts with a brief look at the rituals and boredom of the Groan family who rule Gormenghast. Set in a sort of mad, medieval world of rules, rituals and regulations, the Groans are a tortured family of ageing upper class royalty. There is Lord Groan, played in brilliant torment by the late Ian Richardson, Lady Groan wonderfully realised by Celia Imrie and Fuchsia Groan, their lovely but half mad child-woman daughter. There is also the usual assorted collection of hangers-on and nobility such as Dr Prunesquallor and his sister, various servants like Flay (brilliantly realised by Christopher Lee) and Mrs Slagg and, much later on, grotesques like the Cook played by a horrific looking Richard Griffiths. Enter into this colourful mixture the youth Steerpike who comes from the kitchens and attempts to kill, drive mad or seduce his way into the Groan family.
The castle itself is a wonder to look at and the set design is why Britain is so good at making these sort of series.