A lavish set and gorgeous costumes. (Gormenghast)

Member Name: Tara

Product:	Gormenghast
Date:	21/07/00 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The cast. And the gorgeous costumes and scenery.

Disadvantages: The music was dreadful! Also the big part that's missed out between ep.'s 1 and 2 spoils the atmosphere somewhat.

The best thing by far about this production was the beautiful costumes and spectacular scenery. Everything from the dusty corridors, untouched for centuries, to the amazing view from the rooftops was incredibly realistic. Even when the scene was completely computer generated, it still managed to take my breath away.

It also boosted a good cast, including well-known stars such as June Brown as Nannie Slagg (also Dot Cotton in Eastenders) and Ian Richardson as Lord Groan. My particular favourite however, was Jonathon Rhys Meyers as the lead. He portrayed Steerpike as a somewhat sympathetic young man, without taking away the horrific nature of his character and the cleaver way he charms everybody into liking him.

Watching Steerpike climb the ladder of social class in Gormenghast castle isn’t actually that interesting, but extremely amusing. The program in general is very funny, thanks to actors such as Fiona Shaw and John Sessions, and a well-written screenplay.

The serious parts in the screenplay are also very good, although I don’t like the way 13 years are missed out between the second and third episodes. I don’t know if this is what happens in the book, but I personally think it spoils the whole thing. What has Steerpike been up to for all those years? Don’t try to tell me he hasn’t tried to seduce or murder anybody for all that time!

The only real problem with this production is that not one of the characters is likable. I’ve come to the decision that either they’re all somewhat mad, or just not very nice people. Which makes it very hard to sympathise with the characters situations.

Summary: