Set in the Regency days of 19th century England, this six-part serial follows two engaging wheeler-dealers, Bostock (Matthew Beamish) and Harris (Jim Harris), who are trying to find Harris’ seven-week-old baby sister, Adelaide, after they rather carelessly lose her.
The two young gentlemen attend an Academy for Young Gentlemen run by Dr Bunnion (Derek Francis) and decide to emulate the ancient Greeks, “borrowing” Adelaide for a ceremony but leaving her on a lonely hillside. When they return for her, she has vanished.
A gypsy baby is substituted at one point before they finally locate the little soul in the local orphanage, The Asylum for Foundling Children.
The production has a quirky period comic strip style, and Freddie Jones, in particular, seems to enjoy his role as the villain of the piece, Mr Raven, always skulking in doorways, hidden from view by a black cloak swept theatrically over his face.
The series was based on the 1971 novel by Leon Garfield.
Harris
Jim Harris Bostock
Matthew Beamish Mr Brett
Timothy Davies Dr Bunnion
Derek Francis Mrs Bunnion
Jean Harvey Ralph Bunnion
Richard Wren Major Alexander
Patrick Newell Tizzy Alexander
Amanda Kirby Mrs Alexander
Lila Kaye Selwyn Raven
Freddie Jones Sorley
Christian Bullock Dr Harris
John Ringham Mrs Harris
Jane Lowe Martha
Patricia Lancaster Landlord
Will Stampe Mr Frederick
Alun Lewis Potboy
Christopher Wilkinson Mrs Bonney
Elizabeth Begley Mary Harris
Tracey Childs Morgan
Rachel Thomas Catherine Harris
Fiona Hendry Sir Walter Sorley
Douglas Blackwell Morgan’s Sister
Iona Banks Amelia
Kate Lock Adam Alexander
Gorden Kaye Fiddler
Barry Dransfield Captain Bostock
Alan Haywood Mrs Bostock
Sheila Mitchell
Harris
Mrs Bunnion
Landlord
