The Brittas Empire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Brittas Empire |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Andrew Norriss Richard Fegen |
| Directed by | Mike Stephens Christine Gernon |
| Starring | Chris Barrie Pippa Haywood Julia St John Mike Burns Russell Porter Tim Marriott Harriet Thorpe Judy Flynn Andrée Bernard Anouschka Menzies Jill Greenacre Stephen Churchett John Carrigan |
| Theme music composer | Frank Renton |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 52 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Mike Stephens |
| Producer(s) | Mike Stephens |
| Running time | 30 mins |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC1 |
| Original release | 3 January 1991 – 24 February 1997 |
The Brittas Empire is a funny British TV show called a sitcom. It was created by Andrew Norriss and Richard Fegen.
The main character, Gordon Brittas, is played by Chris Barrie. He is the manager of the Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. He means well, but he is not very good at his job!
The show had seven seasons and 52 episodes. This included two special Christmas episodes. It was shown on BBC1 from 1991 to 1997. The first five seasons were written by the creators, Norriss and Fegen.
The Brittas Empire was very popular and had many viewers. In 2004, it was voted 47th in the BBC's Britain's Best Sitcom poll.
The show mixed silly comedy, known as farce, with strange and unexpected events, called surreal elements. For example, in one episode, the leisure centre gets ready for a royal visit. But then the doors get stuck, the boiler room floods, and someone gets an electric shock! Unlike most sitcoms, characters often had funny accidents or even "died" in The Brittas Empire.
Contents
About the Show's Story
Gordon Brittas, played by Chris Barrie, is the main character. He is the manager of Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre. He trained at a made-up place called Aldershot Leisure Centre. Gordon is not very good with people. He often says the wrong thing and has strange ideas. He never seems to notice his own mistakes.
Brittas often makes his staff, the public, and his wife Helen upset. He usually causes confusion and chaos wherever he goes.
Helen Brittas, played by Pippa Haywood, finds it very hard to live with Gordon. She often takes pills or seeks comfort from other people to stay calm. She also gets help from Laura Lancing, played by Julia St John. Laura is Brittas's calm and helpful assistant. Laura respects Brittas because she thinks he is honest and kind, even if he causes trouble.
Brittas's other assistant is Colin Weatherby, played by Mike Burns. Colin is not very smart. He has many skin allergies and his hand is always infected. Even though he is an assistant manager, he works as the centre's caretaker. Carole, played by Harriet Thorpe, is the receptionist. She often cries and keeps her three children in the drawers of the reception desk!
Another team member is Julie, played by Judy Flynn. Julie is a sarcastic secretary who does not like her boss and avoids doing any work. Lively Linda, played by Jill Greenacre, and kind-hearted Gavin, played by Tim Marriott, are more helpful. Gavin's partner, Tim, played by Russell Porter, is also part of the team. Carole's son Ben was played by Jonathon Norriss.
Episodes and Seasons
The Brittas Empire had 52 episodes. They were shown between 1991 and 1997. There were seven seasons and two Christmas specials. There was also a short episode for Children in Need, a charity event. The cast even performed in the 1996 Royal Variety Performance. Chris Barrie also played Brittas again in a short fitness show called Get Fit with Brittas.
The show's creators, Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss, wrote the first five seasons. After that, they left, and so did Julia St John, who played Laura. The fifth season was supposed to be the last. Norriss and Fegen even had Brittas "die" at the end of it. He was crushed by a falling water tank!
However, the show was so popular that the BBC decided to bring Brittas back. New writers took over and made two more seasons, including another Christmas special in 1996. These writers included Paul Smith, Terry Kyan, and others.
The very last episode in 1997 was called 'Curse of the Tiger Women'. This ending suggested that all seven seasons were just a dream Brittas was having on his way to his job interview. Many people, including critics and viewers, did not like this ending. It also did not match what happened in the 1994 Christmas Special, which showed what the staff did after leaving Whitbury Leisure Centre.
In 2014, Chris Barrie played Gordon Brittas again for a short time. He appeared in the Sport Relief music video for 'Word Up!' by Little Mix.
Where to Watch the Show
All seven seasons of The Brittas Empire were released on DVD in the United Kingdom and Australia. The BBC also released episodes on VHS tapes in the 1990s.
Show's Impact
Some people say that The Brittas Empire helped inspire other famous British comedy shows. These include The Office and shows featuring Alan Partridge.
Filming Location
The outside shots of 'Whitbury New Town Leisure Centre' and the inside swimming pools were filmed at the Ringwood Leisure Centre in Hampshire, England.
- The Brittas Empire at BBC Programmes
