Corner House, The

1 9 8 7 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

This Channel 4 comedy series was set in the old-fashioned Corner House Cafe, run by a mincing gay chap called Gilbert Hutchins (Christopher Eymard) – “I came out in 1956 during the Suez Crisis” – and his over-enthusiastic woman-mad trendy assistant, Dave (Robert Llewellyn).

The cafe was something of a shrine to Gilbert’s deceased lover, Geoff, carefully preserved in the best traditions of the 1950s, and besieged by a colourful clientele ranging from drag queens to part-time members of the Territorial Army.

Episodes had delivery man Pete (Aslie Pitter) deciding to hang his paintings of male nudes in the cafe, gay fireman Sam (Martin Allan) threatening to close the cafe for breaching safety regulations (until he discovers the cafe owner is also gay), and female plumber, Annie (Arabella Weir) causing much consternation.

The show was overacted and under-scripted but had the occasional funny line. The catchy piano theme tune was composed by Ian Milne.

A real cafe in Boston, Lincolnshire, was used as the inspiration for the set and provided the production with authentic 1950s artefacts such as the American fridge, the giant cooking range and dozens of trinkets.

Gilbert Hutchins
Christopher Eymard
Dave 
Robert Llewellyn
Pete
Aslie Pitter
Grace
Annie Hayes
Mr Cobham
Howard Lew Lewis
Sam
Martin Allen
Rosie
Rosy Fordham
Annie
Arabella Weir

Episodes

Immovable Objects | Afternoons in Eltham | Waffle and Daub | Maternity Sweet | Reflections in a Tea Urn | Mellow Days