Barker in new series
'Britain's worst-run general store will open for business once again tomorrow night when Ronnie Barker returns in the second series about life behind the counter of a cor-nfer-shop that stays “Open All Hours” (One, 9.30 p.m.). , Rooted in the drab, back-tp-back north country terraced houses, the corner-end shop — that stubborn survivor in the supermarket age — strikes a rich vein of cpmedy that is absurd, hilarious and affectionate, says TVNZ.
Ronnie Barker will be back as Arkwright, the rotfind, brown-coated shopkeeper with his stutter, his refusal to move with the times and his monumental meanness.
His dedication to thwarting the armorous prospects of his exploited nephew, Granville (David Jason), is only matched by his lecherous pursuit of the
local district nurse, Gladys Emmanuel (Linda Baron). Among his many comedy creations in award-winning shows including “The Two Ronnies” and “Porridge,” the character of Arkwright is proving to be one of Ronnie Barker’s most popular and engaging comedy roles. It reflects the gentle, off-beat and warmly human style of the author, Roy Clarke, whose widely praised series include “Last Of The Summer Wine,” “Potter” and “Rosie.”
Authenticity and an appreciation of the foibles of eccentricity are the keynotes of Clarke’s writing. Yorkshire-born, he has been a policeman, a teacher, and helped his wife to run a typical comer-shop before winning success as a scriptwriter. The richness of nostalgic detail and sound comedy characterisation are again the winning ingredients in this new series, says TVNZ.
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Press, 27 April 1983, Page 13
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245Barker in new series Press, 27 April 1983, Page 13
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