On Monday 13th November, BBC Worldwide are releasing the first series of The League of Gentlemen on DVD. Writer/performers Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith, Mark Gatiss and writer Jeremy Dyson kindly agreed to answer some questions on the disc, the series and their current tour.
DVD Reviewer: Have you ever met the inspiration for any of your characters after you sent them up on the TV and Radio series?
Jeremy Dyson: Yes, but you never let on.
DVD Reviewer: If so, did they realise and were they upset?
Jeremy Dyson: Well my mother, who is the inspiration for Judee (in Iris and Judee) pretends to be upset but really I think she likes it.
DVD Reviewer: Some scenes almost seem to drift away from their comedy roots and more into the territory of drama. Are there more serious actors inside of you trying to get out?
Jeremy Dyson: They're already out aren't they?
DVD Reviewer: Jeremy, as the only writer in the group who doesn't appear in the show, do you ever get the urge to perform any of the material you pen?
Jeremy Dyson: Yes, but only in the privacy of my own home.
DVD Reviewer: Was writing for TV harder than for radio?
Jeremy Dyson: No. Radio is much harder. You can't pull funny faces.
DVD Reviewer: What made you decide to add a commentary track to the DVD release?
Jeremy Dyson: There's nothing worse than buying a DVD which doesn't make use of all the possibilities of the medium.
DVD Reviewer: Did you enjoy doing commentary?
Mark Gatiss: Very much. Weıre big fans of the DVD format and relished the chance to drone on for hours about every little detail of the series. It was great fun and very relaxed as we remembered all sorts of anecdotes about the origin of various characters and sketches. It tails off a bit when we come back from lunch but thatıs only to be expected.
DVD Reviewer: What are the chances of a commentary track on 2nd series DVD?
Steve Pemberton: We'd love to, as long as we've got enough interesting things to talk about. There are so many characters in the second series that I'm sure we'll just about manage it.
Mark Gatiss: As long as thereıs interest then weıd love to do it again. We could probably talk about Papa Lazarou or what Hilary Briss is really selling for about a hundred years. Itıll be quite different talking about material which was much newer rather than the long-standing sketches which made up the bulk of Series 1. We certainly found it exhilarating when working on the Christmas special to see the show being produced so swiftly after being written.
DVD Reviewer: Do you enjoy watching yourselves on the telly?
Mark Gatiss: Oh yes. It would be strange to have come all this way and not want to relish it. Itıs also the only way to spot all the little actorıs tics you develop. Sometimes it can be quite depressing and you wish you could have another go. The main problem when watching an early edit is to resist the temptation to just watch yourself. It usually takes a few screenings to actually appreciate whatıs going on around you!
DVD Reviewer: Do you get heckled on tour?
Steve Pemberton: It's too early to say, but I don't think there's a lot of point in heckling a sketch. It's a bit like shouting at the television.
DVD Reviewer: Does it get repetitive doing the same sketches week in week out?
Steve Pemberton: Not really. All audiences are different so you can't take anything for granted.
DVD Reviewer: How do you keep it fresh?
Steve Pemberton: We do change things a bit, but so many of our sketches rely on shifts in tone, they have to remain pretty tight. If you plan something to make the others laugh you can guarantee it will fall flat on its face. It's doing things spontaneously which is funny.
DVD Reviewer: Who is actually allowed to touch the precious things?
Reece Shearsmith: Tubbs and Edward of course.
DVD Reviewer: Just what was butcher Hilary's special stuff?
Reece Shearsmith: Only four people know the answer to that.
DVD Reviewer: Have we really seen the last of Royston Vasey?
Reece Shearsmith: Not by a long shot. Life goes on - even in Royston Vasey.
DVD Reviewer: And finally, are you local?
Reece Shearsmith: Depends where you ask me.
The League have recently begun a 30 date tour of Britain on 31st October comprising of new sketches and characters, with the second half featuring the characters of Royston Vasey. Running through until Christmas, areas covered on the tour include Tunbridge Wells, Reading, Watford, Southend, Birmingham, Leicester, Liverpool, Warwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Preston. Their first book is also out soon on 5th October and entited A Local Book for Local People. You can read more about these over at the fansite Roysten Vasey.
As for the DVD, priced at £19.99 it will include all 6 episodes of the first series, a behind-the-scenes look at how the programmes were conceived, original production notes and drawings, a virtual tour of Royston Vasey, in addition to a full 180 minutes of commentary by the Gentlemen themselves. It's out to buy on 13th November.
