This six-part BBC series – a spin-off from their 1990 series, Alfonso Bonzo – in which a boy recounts a story that is fast-moving and fantastical, was in comic book tradition and played absolutely straight without any knowing and sophisticated smirks.
The story begins at the end. A schoolboy called Ginger is found straddling the roof, a pushbike parked on the chimney next to him. The unsympathetic reaction to his plight from the children gathered in the playground below is only explained later when we discovered that he was the school bully.
Once pudding-faced Billy Webb (Scott Riley), the narrator and chief player, got into his stride, the mystifying events were related by Billy in quick succession to a gaping-mouthed local reporter, eager for his big break.
The headmaster, Mr Hardwood (Tony Melody) was the kind who inspired pity rather than respect and the teacher Mrs Peasgood (Gil Brailey) deserved a medal for services beyond the call of duty.
The humour was visual, like a cartoon strip transposed to the screen, such as when Billy passed a neighbour pegging out her used tea bags.
Billy Webb
Scott Riley Mrs Peasgood
Gil Brailey Nigel Creamer
Raymond Butcher Mr Webb
Brian Hall Scott Barnacle
Rory McNicholl Annette Osoba
Phyllis Osie Mrs Webb
Susan Porrett Linda Webb
Fleur Taylor Trevor Trotman
Mike Walling Mrs Frisby
Bella Emberg June Barnacle
Lisa O’Connell Wayne Ratkin
Graeme Hawley Damon Bullwinkel
Glenn Lee Mr Hardwood
Tony Melody Ginger Gahagan
Damian Williams Winston
Sean Carnegie
