Legends of the screen Geraldine McEwan and Prunella Scales star as the two social climbers aiming for some one-upmanship in this warming comedy about community affairs. Originally broadcast on Channel 4, in 1985, Mapp and Lucia -The Complete Series has been released by Network as a three-disc set containing all ten episodes from both series of this fondly-remembered period piece.
BAFTA-nominated on its original 1985 release, Mapp and Lucia - based on the works of novelist E F Benson -revolves around the happenings of the village of Riseholme in 1930. Forever the centre of the village's preparation for fates, pageants and events, Emmeline 'Lucia' Lucas' (McEwan) world is turned upside down when social adversary Miss Elizabeth Mapp (Scales) from neighbouring Tilling shows up. Cue a pitched battle for supremacy in a small Middle England village, where only the etiquette and manners of the day prevent the animosity from boiling over.
With a support cast that includes the venerable Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Denis Lill, Mapp and Lucia is one of the prime examples of period comedy, standing up against the likes of Jeeves and Wooster and You Rang M'Lord. The set has a total running time of 500 minutes, a screen ratio of 4:3 and an RRP of £24.99. From memory, the series was originally released on DVD by Granada, but I don't know if there are any differences between the two releases - if anyone does know, can they please drop me a line.
| Episode Title | Synopsis | Original Tx. Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Village Fete | It's summer in the village of Riseholme, the year 1930, and the organization of the local fete has started in earnest. Usually this task falls to Lucia, but she is in mourning for her husband. Amid the feverish activity, Lucia springs some daunting news on her close friend Georgie Pillson, and it seems inevitable that Lucia will be in fierce opposition to an old social rival, Miss Elizabeth Mapp, of Tilling, with desperate consequences. | 14.4.85 |
| Battle Stations | Lucia, now fully recovered from her period of mourning, has taken full command of the Riseholm pageant. Once this is completed she plans her summer sojourn in Tilling, wrestling with the social whirl of he new habitat. Her landlady, Miss Mapp, however, proves to be less than eager to fall in with her plans. The inhabitants of Tilling look on her with as mixture of amusement and horror, as Mapp and Lucia draw up their battle stations. | 21.4.85 |
| The Italian Connection | The social life of Tilling grows apace with a charity tea party in Lucia's garden, complete with tableaux vivants. Mapp's rejection of Lucia's and Georgie's pictures for the art exhibition is a dangerously complicating factor. However, Mapp senses a 'great victory' when Mr Wyse announces the imminent arrival of his sister - the Contessa di Faraglione - who is totally fluent Italian. | 28.4.85 |
| Lobster Pots | With Lucia and Georgie now permanent residents in Tilling, both go about installing themselves in their respective houses and entertaining. During Lucia's 'house warming' party, she serves the famous Lobster a la Riseholme, and Mapp is once again eager to get hold of the recipe. Will she go to any lengths? It might be very dangerous if she did! | 5.5.85 |
| The Owl and the Pussycat | The tragic loss of Mapp and Lucia at sea leaves all of Tilling bereft, except Major Benjy, who appears to be getting over it much quicker than most. Georgie and the Major receive some astonishing news relating to their late 'benefactors' - news that affects not only Georgie and the Major, but the entire community. | 12.5.85 |
| Winner Takes All | First there is a rumour about the mystery illness afflicting Lucia's friend Georgie Pilson, then there is speculation as Lucia, closely followed by newlywed Mapp-Flints, acquire shares in the little known Siriami goldmine, and there is intrigue with just a whiff of scandal as both ladies decide to stand for the town council. What has Georgie got to hide? Is Major Flint a secret drinker? Is Mrs Mapp Flint being excessively coy about her condition? Will Tilling ever be the same again? | 3.5.86 |
| Change and Change About | Elizabeth Mapp-Flint has gained an advantage over Lucia by allowing her friends to assume that she is expecting a baby following her recent marriage to Major Flint. But Mapp's finances are in a parlous state and Lucia will exploit her rivals vulnerability to the full to regain her position at the top of the Tilling social tree. | 10.5.86 |
| Lady Bountiful | Lucia's financial position has been strengthened beyond expectations by her activities in the stock market and eager to maintain her social advantage over Mapp, decides to embark on a programme of charitable works in Tilling. First comes the restoration of the church organ and a special reception involving the Bishop, the Mayor and the local press. Then comes the football team, the cricket team and the local hospital and invitations to join their various committees. It seems that Lucia's position as queen of the town's social set is unassailable. But then comes a flood - and a surprising proposal of marriage... | 17.5.86 |
| Worship | Lucia has joined the Tilling Council and is thrilled when she learns that she is to be invited to become Mayor. Goergie now her husband is thrilled at the idea but dismayed when Lucia decides that they must set an example and live quietly and frugally as befits their new status. Georgie sees other glimpses of a bleak future as Lucia makes more decisions about their future conduct and behaviour. | 24.5.86 |
| Au Reservoir | Lucia's considerable energies are consumed by her efforts to help the grieving Mrs Wyse whose canary has died. A portrait of Mapp appears in the papers as 'Picture of the Year' at a Royal Academy Exhibition. And one believes that the Duchess of Sheffield is coming to stay at Mallards. | 31.5.86 |