Last Night’s TV – All The Small Things
This new series from the pen of Debbie Horsfield aired on BBC1 last night and went from zero to seventy in about a minute, or at least it felt that way…
One minute we were being introduced to Esther – played by Sarah Lancashire – and her devoted husband Michael – played by Neil Pearson – who were blissfully celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and almost the next, he’s dumped her for newcomer Layla – Sarah Alexander.
It happened dizzyingly and unbelievably fast, even accepting that men of a certain age are prone to acts of utter stupidity and calling it a mid-life crisis when they commit one. All of a sudden, everything we’d seen about Esther and Michael being a loving – but rather dull – and contented couple was exploded with a few bats of Layla’s not inconsiderable eyelashes.
As a storyline, it was about as convincing as Sarah Alexander’s miming…
In case you missed it, here’s a recap of what happened; Esther and Michael live in a town in the north of England; filming actually took place around Glossop, Derbyshire. The plucky but self-effacing Esther sings her heart out in the local choir, a disparate collective whose enthusiasm far outweighs its musical ability, and which is conducted by her husband, the charismatic Michael.
Full-time mother to teens Fred, Georgia and the troubled but musically gifted Kyle – played by Richard Fleeshman – Esther nimbly juggles the demands of clashing choral egos and chaotic family life.
One of the first scenes was of the choir singing a rendition of Nobody Does It Better as Esther’s anniversary present to Michael. He hadn’t got her anything but she didn’t mind and a play fight over it ended up in the marital bed. Too sickly sweet for words? Yes apparently so because the matrimonial harmony was to last as long as a Cornetto on a hot windowsill once Layla had shown up.
With the voice of an angel and the simmering sexuality of a devil in fishnets, she’d barely finished her impromptu audition before she and Michael were an item and he’d dumped Esther amid cries of husbandly discontent such as, “When was the last time you travelled, or learnt a new skill or brought a new perfume? When do you ever step outside your comfort zone?” leaving Esther staring open mouthed as he walked out of her life and into Layla’s.
So he starts doing things Layla’s way, which includes jettisoning all but the most gifted singers from the choir in the ruthless pursuit of prizes and recognition.
Now, excluded from the choir and from her marriage, Esther’s life is turned upside down. As the less able singers are forced out of the revamped choir, Esther unwittingly finds herself at the heart of an eclectic troupe of misfits, united only by their passion for music.
Unexpectedly joined by the younger generation – and her funky next door neighbour who clearly has a ‘thing’ for Esther – and their loud, sometimes abrasive musical offerings, it’s Esther’s task to unite the classical and contemporary. Through Kyle’s extraordinary talent and her own quiet determination, she creates a new choir on the block.
So this new group of hopefuls enter the same competition as Michael and Layla’s newly shaken up choral outfit and Esther’s choir win – with a rendition of Blink 182’s ‘All The Small Things’ – taking home the glory and the trophy, much to Layla’s anger. She’d tried to sabotage them from the get go but had failed.
Revenge is on Layla’s nutjob mind now; she’s not the kind to take losing lying down, though that is seemingly the position from which she negotiates most of her life…
I just couldn’t buy into this at all. It all happened too fast, it was all a bit to obvious and somewhat predictable. There were some memorably good moments for sure but with a cast list this venerable, it’d be nigh on impossible for there not to have been, but they were too few to make me want to tune in again.
I’m pretty sure I know what’ll happen by the end anyway; I suspect Michael will be on the receiving end of Layla’s craziness and go crawling back to Esther and despite feeling sorry for him, she’ll probably reject him for a life of musical and loving harmony with the dude next door…
Could be wrong but we’ll see.
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This was abysmal! Poor acting, ridiculous script, shoehorning in of unlikely factors, absolutely no credibliity, revolting Neil Pearson…. did anyone makje it through the entire first episode?
This mini series has started wonderfully, it has a feel good factor and is also heartbreaking, to see the bulling of kyle who is obviously asperger by his impressionable brother was very relevant in todays society and the warm caring relationship between mother and children was truely touching. i will follow this series and hope that it gains support.
I hope that Mel gets a life or maybe has a go at writing and directing if she feels she could do better. Its easy to stand on the sidelines of life and critise, why not jump in and have a go…..
Regarding All The Small Things, I was disappointed that in one part of the scenes in the church people were arguing and there was some swearing but the fact that this took place in a church did not seem to matter.
I agree with Donna, People are so judgemental these days, feeling they have a God given right to rip apart anything ofquality.
Debbie Horsfield is a superb writer with a great track record, Making Out, Cutting It etc. The drama has a wonderful cast.
Sarah lancashire, Neil Pearson, Richard Fleeshman etc.Each character was so beautifully drawn.
There is a great warmth to this drama which we don’t see very often these days.How refreshing to not be bombarded with abuse, sex and gratuitous violence. This is real family entertainemnt. It is a heartwarming drama series and it certainly made me want to watch the next episode and indeed the series.
If Mel didn’t ‘make it’ through the first episode, how can she possibly comment?!
It is so typical and so ignorant to insult everything and everyone (since when has Neil Pearson been revolting?)Perhaps Mel is confusing the characters he plays with the real perdon (sign of a good actor perhaps Mel?) but not ACTUALLY bother to watch the whole episode.Keep watching,this is an excellent piece of work.
I actually loved this series. It’s fun, unique and musical! My three favourite things! I cannot wait to tune in for next week. The acting and the singing was all great and I’m looking forward to seeing more.
This is warming up nicely – a good, traditional heart warming drama, with some quality singing thrown in for good measure. The first episode did move at a very fast pace but was convincing. An excellent cast – bring on the next episode. I for one appreciate the quality of the acting.
i argee jay how can she comment i watch it every week in silence i think its amazing
The only mistake was making Esther and Michael so “happy” to start with as this made his affair with Layla seem contrived. Other than that this is a warm, funny and bitter-sweet drama. The cast are wonderful, the combination of classical and indie music is great. And how fantastic to see an Asperger’s character depicted so sensitively and accurately (well done Richard!). So it’s not gritty or exciting, so WHAT! It reflects so much of my life that it’s like meeting old friends. Thanks to all who were involved with it.
BLINK-182!!!
Thank goodness for BBCIplayer – never free on Tuesday’s I only caught the second episode of ALL The Small Things by chance – and confess to having been totally hooked – when it came to the final episode I went back and watched them all again, a couple more than once. Mentioned to a friend who had missed it – she too watched all the episodes in two sittings, “Its’ the best thing I’ve seen for ages” she said, and I couldn’t agree more.
Such beautifully scripted episodes, and wonderful acting from all the cast, not just the few, feeling totally involved in the lives of all these people, yep, this pressed all the buttons for me. Will there be another series? And when can I buy the DVD?
the dvd is out now you can get it from play.com and hmv i think
all the small things fans!
Despite delivering all this, and averaging at well over four million viewers per episode – the BBC have decided NOT to make a second series of this.
We’ll never know if Kyle and Grace get married! We’ll have to live with repeats forever!!
Ben Stephenson – Head of Drama Commissioning and Jay Hunt – Controller of BBC One are the only ones who change that decision now.
If enough people submit a message to them – via the following link, the BBC will at very least have to reconsider making more of this truly brilliant programme!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/?ref=/drama/#11
use the box right at bottom of the page!
Many thanks for your time
just found some more info on the guy we need to convince!
At this point im not sure if i should ask people to write or call or fax etc. that may be too much trouble but i thought i’d pass it on anyway!
Ben Stephenson
Head Of Drama Commissioning
Responsible for: Drama – all channels from independent production companies
Room 6027
BBC TV Centre
Wood Lane
London
W12 7RJ
tel: (020) 8225 7500
fax: (020) 8225 7734
thanks again for all your help