I adore Professor Branestawm. One of my favourite books as a kid.
So when I heard Harry Hill was to play the professor I had huge doubts. I've never found Hill funny, even though I appreciate his talents. He's just not my style of humorist. I thought he'd be too broad and overplay the character, like his comic persona.
I couldn't have been more wrong. Hill is excellent. He's not necessarily playing the character in the books, but brings his own slant which is rounded, believable, funny and entertaining.
Just a damn shame about everyone else involved in the production.
With the exception of Ben Miller and the young girl, everyone else is overacting. Even David Mitchell, who should know better. Adrian Scarborough pulling silly faces as the vicar when the role was screaming for Mark Williams to offer some nuanced comedy.
Ben Miller does of course require special praise. The man is not only one of the funniest actors in Britain, he's one of the finest full stop and if he moved into drama, he could play any role with distinction. Worth the entrance fee alone. Just watch the town hall scene. He's the only one to get any traction out of the munitions factory joke and does so without even trying.
So unfortunately, much of this is sub panto mugging to a rather smug script (The Tardis? Really?), the kind that the BBC does insufferably well nowadays. There are gems and laughs to be had from some of the performers but really it's only half way to the Professor Branestawm I hoped for and wanted.
