A superbly acted, superbly written and superbly directed show.
The two main characters are superbly formed. Daisy May Cooper brings enormous depth and nuance to the character Costello Jones showing that she has much more than superb comic style and timing. Jack Farthing as Selby is equally as good.
Based on the initial scenes it seemed like another working class British dark comedy. An interesting and funny view into the lives of some off-beat, resilient and charming working class people who find ways to overcome their lot in life. But pretty soon it becomes clear the show is much more than that.
It is carefully crafted, enthralling and entertaining observation into a group of complex people who deal with their and their friends flaws and shortcomings while also navigating an unfair and unsympathetic system. But while it portrays a pretty difficult world it is also interwoven with plenty of humour, charm and substance resulting in a funny, heartfelt and rewarding viewing.
It is in many ways a show about deep feelings and how those feelings affect people and how they relate with others. Many of the characters and their traits and motivations seem familiar.
In that regard it is a show that requires and draws on compassion and empathy from us as the viewers. That can be difficult for some people and I suspect that may explain some of the negative reviews.
The two main characters are superbly formed. Daisy May Cooper brings enormous depth and nuance to the character Costello Jones showing that she has much more than superb comic style and timing. Jack Farthing as Selby is equally as good.
Based on the initial scenes it seemed like another working class British dark comedy. An interesting and funny view into the lives of some off-beat, resilient and charming working class people who find ways to overcome their lot in life. But pretty soon it becomes clear the show is much more than that.
It is carefully crafted, enthralling and entertaining observation into a group of complex people who deal with their and their friends flaws and shortcomings while also navigating an unfair and unsympathetic system. But while it portrays a pretty difficult world it is also interwoven with plenty of humour, charm and substance resulting in a funny, heartfelt and rewarding viewing.
It is in many ways a show about deep feelings and how those feelings affect people and how they relate with others. Many of the characters and their traits and motivations seem familiar.
In that regard it is a show that requires and draws on compassion and empathy from us as the viewers. That can be difficult for some people and I suspect that may explain some of the negative reviews.