Principality produces its own sitcom

Wales has produced its first sitcom in years.

High Hopes is one of the centrepieces of BBC Wales's autumn schedule, airing on BBC1 there from the end of this month.

It is set in the fictitious valleys town of Cwm Pen-ol ("Backside Valley") and revolves around working-class folk who have turned to petty crime to survive.

The six-part surreal sitcom was filmed in he south Wales valleys and directed by BBC Wales' new head of comedy, Gareth Gwenlan, a former Only Fools and Horses producer.

He said: "In comedy terms, there's very little difference between High Hopes and Only Fools and Horses, except that Only Fools and Horses are 75 minute films so it's a different scale.

"But by and large, they're both comedies made in front of an audience - and the Welsh audience for High Hopes were just as enthusiastic as any Fools audience I've seen.

"If comedy is good, it transcends the geographical boundaries it sets - just look at the popularity of Last Of The Summer Wine which is set in Yorkshire, or Only Fools And Horses which is London-based."

Writer Boyd Clack says he sees this comedy as Dickensian - and even gave the lead character the nickname 'Fagin'.

He said: "It's about a world of poverty, which Dickens is very familiar with.

"Life in the 21st century is not a lot different to how it was in Dickensian times - it's how human beings are.

"We're fully aware that the people who consider themselves as the great and good are often absolute charlatans. Yet an ordinary close-knit loving family who appear to be just a bunch of thieves, are actually very moral. It's all about values.

"I'm Welsh working class and I've known all sorts of weird and wonderful beings. I really like Welsh people - there is a gentleness and goodness to us."

Published: 5 Sep 2002