Set in 1959 the drama follows young 17 year old Richard Burrill as he unwillingly embarks on a family holiday to a staid Bed and Breakfast in the Suffolk. Things take a turn for the better though when he firstly meets girl crazy Edwin and then meets a young girl called Julia. Both of whom manage to teach him a little about life and the way the world works.
Palin based this excellent BBC mid 1980’s drama on his own youth and the first time he met his wife Helen. There are fantastic performances all round not least from Edward Rawle-Hicks as Richard and the fab John Nettleton and Pat Heywood as his parents. Palin talks very fondly of this drama in his second volume of diaries and it is a wonderful slice of nostalgia.
production details
UK / BBC / 1×85 minute episode / Broadcast 1986
Writer: Michael Palin / Music: George Fenton / Costume Design: Charlotte Holdich / Producer: Innes Lloyd / Director: Tristam Powell
cast
EDWARD RAWLE HICKS as Richard Burrill
JOHN NETTLETON as Mr Burrill
PAT HEYWOOD as Mrs Burrill
ALLAN CUTHBERTSON as Mr Horrobin
ROSEMARY MACKE as Mrs Horrobin
OONA KIRSCH as Julia
PIPPA HINCHLEY as Anna
JOAN SANDERSON as Miss Wilbraham
GRAHAM CROWDEN as Headmaster
CHARLES McKEOWN as Mr Hargreaves
SHEILA FEARN as Mrs Hargreaves