Mapp & Lucia (1985 TV series)

Mapp & Lucia
Complete series DVD cover
GenreComedy-drama
Based onMapp and Lucia by E.F. Benson
Written byGerald Savory
Directed byDonald McWhinnie
StarringGeraldine McEwan
Prunella Scales
Nigel Hawthorne
Denis Lill
Irene Handl
Theme music composerJim Parker
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerNick Elliott
ProducerMichael Dunlop
Running time48−51 minutes
Production companyLondon Weekend Television
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release14 April 1985 (1985-04-14) –
31 May 1986 (1986-05-31)

Mapp & Lucia is a British television series, set in the fictional Sussex coastal town of Tilling and based on three 1930s novels by E. F. Benson, beginning with Mapp and Lucia. It was produced by London Weekend Television, filmed in Rye (on which Benson based Tilling) and neighbouring Winchelsea in the 1980s, and starred Prunella Scales as Mapp, Geraldine McEwan as Lucia, Nigel Hawthorne as Georgie, and Denis Lill as Major Benjy. The script was by Gerald Savory. There were ten episodes, (which aired in two series of five) broadcast on Channel 4 in 1985 and 1986. The opening title painting was painted by the artist Reg Cartwright. These have been repeated over the years, and a new BBC adaptation, Mapp & Lucia, aired in 2014.

Series one is a five-episode adaptation of Mapp and Lucia (1931). Season two adapts both the fifth book (Lucia's Progress, 1935) in the first three episodes, and the sixth book (Trouble for Lucia, 1939) in the final two episodes.

Cast

Production

Filming took place in Rye and Winchelsea as well as Kent – Chilham features in episodes 1, 2 and 10, doubling as Risholme and Hever Castle features as the residence of Poppy, Duchess of Sheffield.[1]

Episodes

Series 1 (1985)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Village Fete"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory14 April 1985 (1985-04-14)
Mapp accepts Lucia as her new summer tenant and Georgie, encouraged by Lucia, finds his own lodgings in Tilling. After the successful fete in Riseholme, rescued from disaster by Lucia, they move into their new homes.
2"Battle Stations"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory21 April 1985 (1985-04-21)
Mapp finds herself losing her position as the queen bee of Tilling society after Lucia's successful entertainments—none of which include Mapp. It appears open war is on the horizon between the two socialites.
3"The Italian Connection"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory28 April 1985 (1985-04-28)
Lucia's tableaux to raise funds for the local hospital is a success and she takes the opportunity to seek revenge on Mapp for preventing the showing of hers and Georgie's art submissions at the local art exhibition. Lucia's success however is overshadowed by her subsequent home piano recitals that bore the attendees. The Contessa Faraglione visits and Lucia avoids Mapp's plans to expose Lucia's lack of Italian, a fluency she has feigned as she actually knows only a few scattered phrases. Georgie provides the perfect ruse.
4"Lobster Pots"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory5 May 1985 (1985-05-05)
Lucia decides to stay in Tilling and sells her house in Riseholme, much to Georgie's consternation. Mapp is suitably horrified, but soon is pleased that Tilling society now looks to her. Georgie decides to also stay. When Mapp tries to wheedle out the recipe for "Lobster á la Riseholme" from Lucia, her plan to steal it leads to unforeseen problems.
5"The Owl and the Pussycat"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory12 May 1985 (1985-05-12)
With the apparent drowning of Mapp and Lucia, both Georgie and Major Flint find themselves about to receive sizable inheritances. Georgie, on his part, has been shopping for a memorial. Mapp and Lucia surprisingly return and find the Major has jumped the gun in claiming his good fortune early. After reflection, Mapp sees an opportunity.

Series 2 (1986)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
6"Winner Takes All"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory3 May 1986 (1986-05-03)
Georgie has shingles so Lucia lets him stay at Grebe. After dabbling in the stock market Lucia's shares in the South African gold mine Siriami pay dividends and other Tilling residents join in. Everybody profits except Mapp and Major Benjy. Mapp and Lucia stand against each other for seats on the local council.
7"Change and Change About"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory10 May 1986 (1986-05-10)
Neither Mapp nor Lucia win a seat at the local election. Mapp and Major Benjy are strapped for cash. Lucia proposes that they swap houses and is excited when she believes that she has discovered ancient artifacts buried at Mallards.
8"Lady Bountiful"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory17 May 1986 (1986-05-17)
Lucia donates money to restore the Tilling church organ and to several local charities. She is also offered a seat on the town council. Mapp and Benjy, still living at Grebe, are flooded out and are forced to move in with Lucia. Lucia has stunning news.
9"Worship"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory24 May 1986 (1986-05-24)
Lucia marries Georgie and is made the mayor of Tilling. She selects Mapp as Lady Mayoress.
10"Au Reservoir"Donald McWhinnieGerald Savory31 May 1986 (1986-05-31)
Lucia and Georgie travel to London and they meet Poppy who is interested in Georgie. Quaint Irene's portrait of Lucia as mayor is rejected while Irene's painting of Mapp has been declared the picture of the year. Lucia plots to regain her superiority as the social queen of Tilling.

Home releases

Series Release date Ref.
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Series 1 12 November 2002 5 August 2002 7 July 2010 [2][3][4]
Series 2 22 June 2004 N/A 29 July 2011 [5][6]
Series 1 & 2 25 March 2014 13 October 2003 N/A [7][8]

References

  1. ^ Kent Film Office (21 March 1985). "Kent Film Office Mapp and Lucia Article".
  2. ^ "MAPP & LUCIA, SERIES ONE DVD SET". amazon.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Mapp And Lucia: The Complete First Series [DVD] [1985]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Mapp and Lucia Series 1". booktopia.com.au. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  5. ^ "MAPP & LUCIA, SERIES TWO DVD SET". amazon.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Mapp and Lucia Series 2". booktopia.com.au. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Mapp and Lucia: The Complete Collection". amazon.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Mapp & Lucia: The Complete Series (1985-1986)". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2020.