Revived version of Ancient Roman comedy released

Ancient Roman comedy Chelmsford 123 has been revived, 31 years after it last aired on Channel 4.

Original cast members Jimmy Mulville, Rory McGrath, Neil Pearson and Philip Pope reprised their roles to record four episodes for an audio release.

Mulville and McGrath adapted their original scripts for the show, which is described as ‘the forerunner to Horrible Histories and the distant cousin of Blackadder.’

Their co-star Howard Lewis died in 2018 at the age of 76, and his voice has been impersonated by Pope for the new audio recording.

Paterson Joseph – as recently seen as Commander Neil Newsome in thBBC One  drama Vigil – and comic actor Phil Nice have also joined the cast, along with its producer Barnaby Eaton-Jones.

The original ran for two series, of six and seven episodes, in 1988 and 1990 and is still available on All4.

Three of the rerecorded episodes are from the first season, including opening episode Arrivederci Roma, plus Heads You Lose from season two.

The remake has been produced by Spiteful Puppet Entertainment and original makers Hat Trick International.

It is now available digitally via www.spitefulpuppet.com at £2.99 an episode or as a two-CD set, which features bonus material, for £14.99.

Here is a trailer:

Published: 16 Dec 2021