Up Pompeii Complete Series 1 & 2 and Special
On three DVD's
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UP POMPEII - COMPLETE SERIES 1 & Series 2 & SPECIAL ON DVD
Set in ancient Pompeii (pre-eruption) Howerd played a slave, Lurcio (pronounced Lurk-io). The other main characters were Lurcio's bumbling old master, Senator Ludicrus Sextus (initially Max Adrian and then Wallas Eaton), the senator's promiscuous wife Ammonia (Elizabeth Larner), his daughter Erotica (Georgina Moon) and his eternally virginal son Nausius (Kerry Gardner) (who wrote not very rude odes), along with the Cassandra-esque Senna the Soothsayer (Jeanne Mockford) and Plautus (Willie Rushton). Guest stars included a number of "Carry On" girls with Barbara Windsor, Wendy Richard and Valerie Leon all having parts.
The set-up was little more than a backdrop for an endless series of double entendres and risqué gags. Howerd was the key to most of the gags and he started each episode with a prologue — a "to camera" that would usually never get finished and rarely had anything to do with the episode plot.
Bill Cotton in an interview with author Graham McCann on 6 June 2000 said that the then director of the BBC Comedy, Michael Mills, prompted by the plays of Plautus came up with the idea for the show for Frankie Howerd. The musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, set in ancient Rome was also said to be an influence. Howerd had recently played the similar role of the slave Pseudolus in the original London stage run of the musical, and there were parallels between some other characters.
There were 13 30-minute episodes in two series (March – May and September – October 1970). In addition there was a pilot episode (1969) and two special episodes entitled Further Up Pompeii, one in 1975 and the other in 1991. The latter sparked speculation that there could be a new series, before Howerd's death in 1992 put an end to any such prospect.
Apart from the change in the actor playing Ludicrus Sextus, there are some differences between the two series of Up Pompeii, with the second series using noticeably fewer sets than the original. This may have been due to the second series being commissioned, filmed and broadcast within 4 months from the end of the first. In addition Willie Rushton did not appear in the second series.
The series was filmed in front of a live audience, with which the actors interacted. This is highlighted by the relatively long duration between cuts, and the timing of the jokes and dialogue is obviously dictated by the audience reaction. Also, Howerd made anachronistic comments like "I don't use that glycerine rubbish" or "The BBC told me..." when such things didn't exist. Howerd addresses the audience using asides that the other characters can't hear (a device that harks back to classical theatre), often commenting on the script, sometimes complaining that everyone else got the good lines. With all the leads being predominantly stage actors, this worked well. The second series is characterised with having more edits and close ups than the previous one, but not to the extent that it detracted from the intimate feel to the production.
Pilot
Up Pompeii! (17 Sep 69)
Lurcio learns that his master, Ludicrus is promoting a bill in the Senate which will make it possible for a slaves to buy his freedom. Lurcio is very happy about the idea, until he finds that freedom will cost 500 Drachmas. He doesn't have any money, so how can he raise some?
Series 1
1: Vestal Virgins (30 Mar 70)
The annual ceremony of the Vestal Virgins is about to be held. The compere hasn't turned up, so Ludicrus has to 'do the homours', aided by Lurcio.
Ludicrous is promoting a bill in the Senate to close down the local brothels. This brings him into conflict with the brothel keepers, who plot to ruin the Vestal Virgins ceremony.
2: The Ides Of March (6 Apr 70)
Ludicrus becomes involved in a plan to assassinate Julius Caesar. Ammonia gives Lurcio the job of foiling the plot. Lurcio is arrested and taken to Caesar's lieutenant, Ponderous. He's forced to impersonate Caesar in an attempt to catch the plotters.
3: The Senator And The Asp (13 Apr 70)
Ammonia is expecting an unwelcome visit from an old flame. She tells Lurcio to get rid of him using a poisonous asp. When a man arrives at the front door, Lurcio disposes of him, as instructed. Then Ludicrus announces that he's expecting a visit from Stovus Primus ...
4: Britaniccus (20 Apr 70)
An army has to be raised to go to Britain to put down revolting natives. Lurcio is forced to go along, though he'd prefer not to.
5: The Actors (27 Apr 70)
When the Olympia Theatre Company comes to town, Ammonia sends Lurcio to the theatre with a note for one of the actors, who's one of her old flames. At the same time Ludicrus wants Lurcio to deliver a note to one of the actresses.
6: Spartacus (4 May 70)
Spartacus is the leader of a growing revolt among the slaves of Rome. Lurcio doesn't want to get involved in anything as dangerous as a revolt, but there's no way he can prevent it from affecting him
7: The Love Potion (11 May 70)
Lurcio is given the night off when everyone goes out. Ammonia, Ludicrus and Erotica each give him money so that he'll be out of the house for the evening. Lurcio, however, has other ideas. He's expecting a visit from new neighbour, Lusha. He uses the money to buy a love potion and looks forward to a night of pleasure. Everything goes according to plan ... until the various members of the family sneak back home, expecting the house to be empty.
Season 2
1: The Legacy (14 Sep 70)
Ludicrus' uncle dies and leaves him 10,000 drachma. The only snag is that the money will only be paid to Ludicrus if he has a son named after his uncle.
2: Roman Holiday (21 Sep 70)
Lurcio is looking after the house while the family are away. He agrees to hide two escaped slaves. Then various members of the family return home unexpectedly.
3: James Bondus (28 Sep 70)
The secret plans for a new catapult have been stolen. Lurcio becomes involved in attempts to recover the stolen plans and meets the famous secret agent, James Bondus.
4: The Peace Treaty (5 Oct 70)
Lurcio becomes involved in attempts to prevent Pompeii from going to war with the Barbarians. One of h anti-war activities involves trying to persuade the women of Pompeii to deny conjugal rights if their husbands get involved in the war.
5: Nymphia (12 Oct 70)
Nausius is in love with a beautiful young girl named Nymphia. He wants to marry her, but his parents aren't sure that this is a good idea.
6: Exodus (19 Oct 70)
Ludicrus loses his seat on the Senate. He decides to sell up and move his family to Rome. Lurcio is up for sale to the highest bidder. He's worried about the kind of master or mistress he'll have next.
Special
Further Up Pompeii! (31 Mar 75)
Ammonia is planning an orgy. She gives Lurcio the job of keeping Ludicrus out of the way. Ludicrus sends Lurcio off to buy a sleeping draught. At the apothecary's shop, Lurcio meets up with Nausius, who's buying a love potion. The sleeping potion and the love potion get mixed up, with predictable consequences.