May 25th, 2010:
Dappers
Dappers is a half-hour pilot for a new BBC Three show. It goes out next month, with previews on the BBC website starting from June 3rd. I was lucky enough to be sent an advance-copy DVD to review – yay!
First of all, I am going to be honest here and say that I no longer really watch much TV. I am also going to be honest and say that I have a certain ‘perception’ of BBC Three, that maybe isn’t particularly favourable. Still, I went into this with an open mind. And I am really glad I did.
Dappers is penned by the wonderful Catherine Johnson – who gave the world Mamma Mia!However, if you watch this show expecting sun-drenched Greek islands and lots of bare-chested hunks, you will be disappointed. It is more gritty, more rainy – more British! The cast includes Lenora Crichlow (of Sugar Rush and Being Human fame), Ty Glaser, Tom Ellis (EastEnders) with Gwen Taylor and Eddie Large as the exceedingly strange couple downstairs!
Set in Bristol, the action focuses on two friends (‘dappers’ is a Bristolian term for friends) who are single-mums living in a Housing Association block of flats. Struggling to make ends meet, they take on ever-more bizarre ‘jobs’ while dealing with flashy exes, dodgy boyfriends and exceedingly strange neighbours! There is also a most surreal plot involving a missing pug…which then becomes three pugs – well, you’ll just have to watch it to find out about that!
Billed as a drama, I would say this is more like a comedy-drama. It runs at a half-hour length, although it seemed to be longer than that – but in a good way! It’s probably because I was analysing it for this review rather than just sitting back and watching it. It’s more gentle than some of the brash and in-your-face dramas to come from the same channel. Think Gavin and Stacey rather than Two Pints of Lager… and you’d be on the right lines. And comparing it to Gavin and Stacey is a compliment, really. The friendship between the two main characters is believable and genuine. They are funny, and warm, and flawed – just like us all.
It’s really lovely to see Bristol being used as the backdrop for this show (Johnson is a Bristolian herself) and it reminds me how much I miss the WestCountry! The accents are lovely, it’s almost like being back there again! The architecture of the Clifton area in particular is shown to great effect – how they managed to get HA flats there I’ll never know. Where do I apply?!
There are some rough edges that could do with shaving off. The crude language is not excessive, but seems to have been added for shock value rather than realism. Plenty of shows manage to be witty, charming and enjoyable without using the f-word. I also don’t think the references to drug-taking that are included were necessary. Yes, it was ‘only’ cannabis, nothing was depicted on camera, and I’m sure it’s an integral part of many people’s lives, but it doesn’t really seem to bear any relevance to the plot. There are hints that Ashley (Crichlow) is a regular user – one of the characters refers to her as ‘Hash’ – but it doesn’t really seem to be a storyline that goes anywhere or adds anything.
Despite the criticisms though, I really enjoyed Dappers - having gone into it thinking I probably wouldn’t. The acting is consistently good, the characters are well-rounded and generally likeable – I’m sure everyone can find at least one of them to identify with. We all know couples like the posh neighbours! And the little girls are just adorable!
All in all, I think this could develop into a really successful show. The only way that will happen is if the pilot is a hit. And the only way that will happen is if people watch it – and say they like it! I honestly hope a full series is commissioned – I may even go out of my way to watch it.
To find out more about the background of the show, go here
To find out about other new shows, and for a sneak preview of Dappers, go here
For a more comprehensive guide to the show and its characters, go here
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4/5 stars
Overall Verdict: A very promising start for this lovely little show. It could really go places – definitely one to watch.
Disclosure: I was provided with a free copy of Dappers on DVD to review. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.
