Take a trip to the Square and get more than just a pint of milk! ("Eastenders": 20 Years in Albert Square - Rupert Smith)

Member Name: AmyAmy

Product:	"Eastenders": 20 Years in Albert Square - Rupert Smith
Date:	31/10/09 (39 review reads)
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Advantages: exciting, photos, information, facts, price

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BBC Soap 'EastEnders' began back in February 1985, and then nobody knew just how successful it was going to be. Though it seems that it was a hit then and is still today, still going strong twenty four years after it first aired. The thing that surprises me about EastEnders though is its lack of merchandise that has become available. There have been a few videos released highlighting some of the exciting storylines, but other than that the memorabilia is very limited. This does surprise me, as ITV's main soap, 'Coronation Street', seems to have so much more available to buy. EastEnders just haven't seemed to step up to their level yet with merchandise.

From about the age of twelve, I have always adored EastEnders, however around the time of its twentieth birthday, it could be said that I had a rather unhealthy obsession with the soap. I had only been collecting celebrity autographs for a few months but already had written to the entire present cast of the show, and many of the past too. I refused to leave the house when EastEnders was on as I didn't want to miss it, and would watch it again later on BBC3 and then the omnibus. I do blame the wonderful cast for this obsession - what with all the best still in it then: Kim Medcalf, Tish Dean, Nigel Harman and Tracy-Ann Oberman. I'd eat, sleep and breathe the soap, so their twentieth birthday was just a big a celebration for me as it was for them.

In 2005, EastEnders did indeed hit their 20th, and with this brought the release of one more book to add to the little collection. On the very day of its release, I rushed out to buy 'EastEnders: 20 Years in Albert Square', and took it home immediately, ready to read it cover to cover. The cover itself is even worth looking at for a hwile - it's gorgeous! It ha a main background colour of white, with 'EastEnders' written in a gorgeous gold colour. Underneath there are twelve boxes, each a different shape and containing a different picture from the show. With that, I was ready to open the book and discover its wonders inside.

At the beginning, there is a foreword from Wendy Richard, who played Pauline Fowler for just over twenty years. At the time it was a great read, and it still is but for different reasons. I still find it hard to think that our cardigan-loving Pauline Fowler has left us, as has Wendy herself. Its an emotional read, but worth it.

Following this there are eight pages which talk about how the show was born, and it also shares alternative names that the show was going to have, such as 'East8'. It's quite fascinating to see how they slowly pieced the show together, before it was born in the February 1985. After this you will come to '20 years in Albert Square', which is the main bulk of the book. It highlights the main storyllines from each year, as well as the characters that were the strongest that year too. This is especially exciting as it introduced me to a few key events in the show I had not came across while 'catching up' online. There is quite a lot about Sharongate, a storyline I would have loved to have seen. And then we learn about the Mitchell's first appearance on the Square too, when Daniella Westbrook was Sam. When I first read this book I was only aware of Kim Medcalf's portrayal so I wasn't too keen on this, but now having Westbrook back in the soap, I am beginning to adapt to this and actually feel that she is, yes, the original Sam!

There are sections within this timeline which points out certain characters. One of which is the 'Matriarchs' - the battle axes and Queens of the Square. Among this list you will find Pauline Fowler, Peggy Mitchell, Dot Branning, Lou Beale, Mo Harris and Ethel Skinner. There are character descriptions too, making it a much more interesting read. Then you have 'Diamond Geezers' - the more important dodgy males with a heart of gold. Here you will find Alfie Moon, Billy Mitchell and Charlie Slater to name just a few. Oh, how I miss Alfie!

There is a section called 'Welcome to Walford', which talks about all the births that have taken place on the Square. It covers them all, from Michelle's baby Vicki and Sonya's baby Chloe, right to Demi's baby Alesha. It reminds me of quite a few storylines that seem to have slipped my mind. Following this is a section called 'Nasty Bits of Work', which highlights all the characters we love to hate. Here you will find those such as Nick Cotton, Ian Beale, and Trevor Morgan. Eugh, even just the mention of Trevor makes me shiver! There is also a section called 'Dangerous to Know', which talks about the bad boys such as Den Watts, Phil and Grant Mitchell, and Andy Hunter.

One of my favourite parts of the book is the 'Behind the Scenes' section, which takes us behind the scenes! There are photos of filming and information about how scenes work. There is a photo of the gates to the studio, and considering I have stood on that very spot, it is a delight to thing that! The final section of the book is called 'Poster Boys', which as you would expect is information about the rather attractive males of Walford over the years, including the gorgeous Nigel Harman (Dennis), Chris Parker (Spener Moon), and Jack Ryder (Jamie Mitchell). With that, we have come to the end of a very emotional and powerful book!

The one thing I like the most about this book is not the attractive pictures or the level of information, but the fact that it takes me on an incredible trip down memory lane. Okay so I do not remember everything that happened in 1985, but during the height of my fascination with the show, I researched it inside and out, learnt all the names of the cast, and tried to memorise as many facts as possible. I still adore the show, but I do not have the time to explore it as greatly now. Reading about 'Shannis' (Sharon and Dennis), and 'Sick Sam' takes me back to what was probably the happiest time in my life, and all the memories come flooding . Its simply amazing.

I paid £15 for this book, which is its RRP and price at the time of release. Though now you can buy it for around £8, which I feel is still a great price for this hardback book. It is full of exciting facts and information about characters you may not have known before, as well as lots of wonderful pictures.

I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us with their 30th birthday, or if we're lucky, their 25th. I imagine the 'Poster Boys' will contain a picture of Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) and Rob Kazinsky (Sean Slater), with quite a bulk of the book about the Mitchells, and the return of Bianca and Ricky (it does feel like they've never been away though!). My life without EastEnders would be incomplete and this amazing book just helps to complete me!

Amy 2009

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