Tuesday, 7 May 2019

A Comedy On This Day: The Prince Of Denmark - Publican Or Delivery Man? (8 May 1974)


 This episode pulls off a narrative of wildly escalating circumstances rather well - something that many sitcoms of this period habitually failed at. The climax is of a piece with many of Graham Chapman's Monty Python sketches, with more and more distinct and loud people turning up and crowding out an initially controlled and low-key situation.

 Much of the success lies in the patient set-up. Its Saturday night at the Prince of Denmark, but the place is dead, with only a few regulars in attendance. The script doesn't stint on conveying the inertia and boredom of the situation, spending a good half of the episode following Ronnie trying to fill the time by failing to entertain the punters with his jokes, dancing and attempts at sophisticated conversation. This walks a fine line with some skill, conveying inertia convincingly while incorporating just enough off-the-wall imagery and exchanges to prime the viewer for the eventual bizarre chaos. It's a cleverly orchestrated piece with each new customer - the heavily-pregnant wife, the centenarian - having something to contribute to the conclusion that isn't immediately telegraphed to the viewer.

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