Funland

I've just returned from a four-night break in Blackpool. No - this isn't a 1-star review of our dreadful 'hotel' that makes Funland's 'Shangri-La' look like the Savoy; that's just been posted on TripAdvisor. What this is, is a nod to the 'art imitates life' principle that applies so fundamentally to Funland, but from the perspective that what was once (in 2005) an over-the-top, bombastic surrealist comedy series that seemed to amplify the worst sleaze and excesses of Blackpool, has now become matched by Blackpool's accession (or maybe recession) to that once fictitious seaside town portrayed in Funland. My fourth visit to Blackpool since Funland first aired, and Blackpool has now become that place.

The series itself has to be recommended. It's hard to describe - it's a black comedy for sure, has multiple story layers and side plots, but with the central core story arc coming back to the relationship between the brilliant Ian Puleston-Davies' Shirley Woolfe, and his mother Mercy played by Judy Parfitt. The locations are pure Blackpool - the Tower features prominently, but acts both as a reference point for the story, and an allegory about the state of Dudley and Lola's sexless relationship (the scene in Ep1 where Lola gazes fixedly on a cabinet of huge dildos whilst Dudley asks her 'is there anything you want?' sticks in the mind).

Funland must be seen, but should be treated with caution for its grotesque characters, references, and sexual imagery. Funnily enough, the same could pretty much now be said for it's life inspiration: Blackpool.

BBC3 has been an excellent vehicle for new ventures that, due to their 'different' approach, wouldn't be picked up by either BBC1 or BBC2. Admittedly there have been some lumps of crap and a whole load of averageness, but amongst that have been some glimpses of pure brilliance.

And Funland is one of the highlights.

Set amongst the downmarket seediness that is Blackpool, the characters are almost all deliberately grotesque exaggerations. One can't fail to see the obvious comparisons with the League of Gentlemen.

The acting is good enough to compliment the script, with some well-known faces turning up in roles - and situations - you wouldn't expect to see them in.

I loved it.

STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits

Carter Krantz (Daniel Mays) is a London detective who's taken a trip down to Blackpool- but he's not here to celebrate a stag party or ride the Pepsi Max. He's after the killer of his mother, who's dying words mentioned the name of a person at the popular seaside resort. But along the way, shocking twists and turns conspire to take his quest to an electrifying climax.

With this and supporting roles in films like Class of '76 and Vera Drake, Mays is shaping up a fair career for himself. He's a cockney actor with an impressive dialect and a smooth, natural presence and he has a likable personality, so I think he deserves this. He's helped by a good supporting cast, including Coronation Street favourite Roy Barraclough and a wheelchair bound old lady who provides one of the show's most pivotal roles.

Performances aside, Funland is a darkly funny, impressively voyeuristic show with an interesting premise and sound delivery. It's also helped by a foreboding opening score and an impressive and realistic use of Blackpool as the seedy backdrop for all the nefarious goings-on.

Faults-wise, there's one or two grinding, clunky clichés here and there, but I suppose it's no biggie. BBC 3 usually gets slammed as being rarely watched and full of useless programmes and repeats, but they've tuned out an admittedly rare piece of quality programming here. Kudos. ****

Originally showcased in 2005 on the now defunct BBC 3 digital channel; Funland is a jaded tale of revenge, murder, greed and debauchery set over the course of a long weekend in a seedy English seaside town.

It is not difficult to see where the writers drew their inspiration from either. There are plenty of familiar nods to popular culture - the gritty realism of Get Carter, the macabre absurdities of The League of Gentleman, the earthy humour of a 1970s Confessions film. Even King Kong for Pete's sake!

But does it work? Well, yes and no.

Funland's strengths undoubtedly lie in it's solid and convincing cast - a veritable who's who of British acting talent. Worthy of mention is the late, Roy Barraclough as the grasping, machiavellian local politician Onan Van Kneck. His caustic one liners, coupled with his unconvincing toupee and peculiar physical deformities really was inspired casting. So too, Sarah Smart as the vulnerable but exploited Lola.

Blackpool's tacky "glamour" also provides the perfect backdrop for a story populated by sleazy, morally repulsive characters and unsettling subject matter. It is jarring, but strangely compelling viewing.

But, Funland is first and foremost a comedy. A very, very, very dark comedy. The bizarre spectacle of a stuffed dead gangster being trundled around the town on roller skates will stay with me for a very long time.

The series could have benefitted greatly from some sharper editing. This is easily the show's worst flaw. Characters and situations are introduced briefly but are not developed undermining the plot and stifling the pace of the action. There is too much unnecessary dialogue, and the much anticipated finale (after 10 episodes) seemed rushed and frustratingly inconsequential.

That said, Funland is a grim, humorous, often poignant, sometimes shocking journey through the grubby u bend of life in a seaside town that they forgot to close down.



























Funland has some brilliant one-liners and succeeds in delivering some genuinely hilarious moments: the council meeting who's only topic on the agenda appears to be discussing the size of a stripper's thong; and the bizarre spectacle of a stuffed dead gangster being trundled around the town on roller skates; are easily two of the funniest scenes I've seen on TV in a long time.

I have to say that I'm enjoying Funland on BBC2(I live in one of the large areas of the country where digital TV remains unavailable)and I didn't really have that high hopes for it.

It is extremely strange - and some of the grotesque features are over the top (an editor should have been more in evidence at times) - but I want to know if there actually is a plot (rather like Lost!) so I keep watching despite suspecting all the questions may never be answered.

I think we have some fine little acting gems in there - Philip Jackson (Finch) is of course excellent as ever but also mentions in dispatches for Sarah Smart (Lola), Ian Puleston-Davies (Shirley) and Judy Parfitt (Mercy). Frances Barber (Connie) was rather wasted but you can't have everything

Most of all however it has made me laugh - and that strangely enough is something the League of Gentlemen never did...