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BEING HUMAN [BBC 3 TV] 

Not usually one to blither on about TV but I did give a good mention to Phoo Action so I guess I’m obliged to refer to last night’s other one off drama –Being Human. What was it about?  Well,according to the BBC: 

“Starring a cast of bright up-and-coming actors: Guy Flanagan (Totally Frank), Andrea Riseborough (Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley), Russell Tovey (The History Boys) alongside Adrian Lester (Hustle), Being Human explores what it’s like trying to find where you fit into the grand scheme of things when you live with an unusual affliction…” 

Seems a bit dry?  Well,first thing I need to say is that anything filmed in Bristol should not be that bad. I say that as a Bristolian. But the programme… 

Initially I was working on the computer but within five minutes I was seated in an armchair and glued to the programme.  This is everything that Phoo Action should have been.   

The acting was superb.  Russell Tovey was really convincing in his role and  he is a great physical actor and carried off the ‘transformation’ wonderfully.  Tovey’s character solicited a lot of sympathy while convincing me at least that there was a great deal of turmoil bubbling under the surface. 

Guy Flanagan as the vampire was very lay-back [almost] and used body language to great effect and,again,conveyed his “curse” and the problem of being a working class vampire at odds with his kinsmen and fitting into everyday life very well.  The tension between “Mitchell” and the evil scheming “Herrick” [Adrian Lister] quite literally crackled. 

The ghost,”Annie”,played by the lovely Andrea Riseborough,I expected to turn into the usual haunting ghost character.  I was wrong.  An agrophobic ghost who continuously makes cup-after-cup of tea,coffee,drinking chocolate [can’t drink it but loves the routine of making them!] and has,like Mitchell,seen what is “waiting on the other side”.  The edgey performance was great. 

Three pals out for a drink in the pub –a Jewish werewolf,an agrophobic ghost and a depressed vampire.  That sums up

Bristol –a trip to Knowle would have furnished an abundant supply of zombies but…

 The locations were filmed wonderfully and conveyed atmosphere in abundance –something Phoo Action failed to do so Director of Photography,Tim Palmer and Director Declan O’Dwyer deserve a mention and praise. The script was very well written by Toby Whithouse and there was none of the oft-times stilted or awkward dialogue of Phoo Action.   

And to show how good the programme was;I desperately needed to visit the “big boys room” but stood glued to the TV set not wanting to miss anything. 

If I had to give Phoo Action a rating it would be 5 out of 10.  For Being Human 10 out of 10 hardly seems high enough. 

Were one to be made into a TV series on quality it would have to be Being Human.  However,knowing TV executives,for all its faults Phoo Action would probably get the go ahead due to Jamie Winstone wearing tight shorts.  

An excellent hour of viewing,though!