15 Storeys High
Encyclopedia
15 Storeys High is a critically acclaimed British sitcom
, set in a tower block
. The main characters are Vince Clark, a misanthropic, cynical recluse
played by Sean Lock
, and Errol Spears, Vince's exact opposite and whipping boy
, played by Benedict Wong
.
The theme tune
used on both radio series is the 1960s song "England Swings
" by Roger Miller
.
in the "Late Night on 4" comedy slot at 11.00pm. It ran for six episodes between 30 December 1998 and 3 February 1999. The show was written by Sean Lock, produced by Dan Freedman and starred Lock, Kevin Eldon and Hattie Hayridge
.
The premise of the show involves Sean living in a London flat, listening in on the lives of his neighbours via a device called the "Bugger King". The device, and corresponding microphones were fitted by Sean's plumber, Hot Bob, who is also a recurring character. Sean is also visited by various associates and neighbours.
and produced by Chris Neill
. These series each consisted of five half-hour episodes. Series one aired from 24 November 1999 to 22 December 1999, and starred Lock, along with Felix Dexter
, Jenny Eclair, Tim Mitchell, Tracy-Ann Oberman
, Chris Pavlo and Peter Serafinowicz
. Series two aired from 24 November 2000 to 22 December 2000, and included roles from Dan Freedman, Alex Lowe
, Dan Mersh, Paul Putner
, Rob Rouse
and Chris Neill.
The 15 Storeys High radio series used a different method to present the events going on in other flats in the tower block. It dispensed with the idea of Sean listening in on others using "Bugger King", replacing it with a voiceover simply announcing the flat number of the subsequent scene. The show introduced Sean's flatmate Errol (played by Serafinowicz in series 1, episodes 2-5).
. The TV shows were not recorded with a live audience.
The series was written by Lock, Trenaman and Mark Lamarr
(as Mark Jones), and directed by Mark Nunneley. In the second TV series Lamarr is also credited as a writer. There are currently no plans for a third series, Lock stating that he wished to make one but that "the BBC have put their foot down" http://www.15storeyshigh.net/news.html.
, London
. The British police drama
The Bill
also uses this location.
The location of the swimming pool
, in which Vince works as a lifeguard
, is Ladywell
Leisure Centre in Lewisham
, South East London
in the first series. (map). In the second series, the swimming pool used is in the basement of the Shell Centre
next to Waterloo station
. The Elephant and Castle
Shopping centre is also used as a location in several episodes, notably the Sundial restaurant and the Bowling alley.
Series one was initially broadcast on BBC Choice
(the forerunner to BBC Three
) from 7 November 2002 to 12 December 2002. Series two was broadcast from 12 February 2004 to 18 March 2004.
The show starred Sean Lock and Benedict Wong
. Additional cast members included Dan Mersh, Bill Bailey
, Aml Ameen
, William Tomlin
, Steven Webb
, Mark Lamarr
, Perry Benson
, Simon Godley, Melanie Gutteridge
, Peter Serafinowicz
, Michael Greene and James Bachman
.
in the Best New Director category for its unique style, and innovative shots.
, 26 February 2004http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040226/ai_n12772717.
http://www.offthekerb.co.uk/artists/artists_reviewsf303.html?artist=sean_lock
British sitcom
A British sitcom tends, as it does in most other countries, to be based on a family, workplace or other institution, where the same group of contrasting characters is brought together in each episode. Unlike American sitcoms, where twenty or more episodes in a season is the norm, British sitcoms...
, set in a tower block
Tower block
A tower block, high-rise, apartment tower, office tower, apartment block, or block of flats, is a tall building or structure used as a residential and/or office building...
. The main characters are Vince Clark, a misanthropic, cynical recluse
Recluse
A recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society, often close to nature. The word is from the Latin recludere, which means "shut up" or "sequester." There are many potential reasons for becoming a recluse: a personal philosophy that rejects consumer society; a...
played by Sean Lock
Sean Lock
Sean Lock is an English comedian and actor. He began his comedy career as a stand-up comedian. He won the British Comedy Award in 2000 in the category of Best Live Comic, and was nominated for the Perrier Comedy Award. He is also well known for his appearances on television and radio...
, and Errol Spears, Vince's exact opposite and whipping boy
Whipping boy
A whipping boy was a young boy who was assigned to a young prince and was punished when the prince misbehaved or fell behind in his schooling. Whipping boys were established in the English court during the monarchies of the 15th century and 16th centuries...
, played by Benedict Wong
Benedict Wong
Benedict Wong is an English actor and comedian.Wong was born in Manchester and attended school in Salford. His first role was in a 1993 BBC Radio play called Kai Mei Sauce, written by Kevin Wong. He appeared alongside Sean Lock in the situation comedy 15 Storeys High, and as Dr. Franklin Fu in the...
.
Radio series
Both radio shows were recorded in front of a studio audience.The theme tune
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
used on both radio series is the 1960s song "England Swings
England Swings
"England Swings " is a 1965 country music song written and performed by Roger Miller. The single was Miller's eleventh hit on the US country chart where it peaked at number three. On the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number eight and was Miller's second number one on the Easy Listening chart...
" by Roger Miller
Roger Miller
Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
.
Sean Lock's 15 Minutes of Misery
The show's original incarnation was a radio series entitled Sean Lock's 15 Minutes Of Misery. It was broadcast weekly on BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
in the "Late Night on 4" comedy slot at 11.00pm. It ran for six episodes between 30 December 1998 and 3 February 1999. The show was written by Sean Lock, produced by Dan Freedman and starred Lock, Kevin Eldon and Hattie Hayridge
Hattie Hayridge
Hattie Hayridge is a British stand-up comedienne and actress, best known for the role of the female version of Holly in Red Dwarf during the third, fourth and fifth series, along with the role of Hilly in Parallel Universe, the final episode of the second series.After graduating from the...
.
The premise of the show involves Sean living in a London flat, listening in on the lives of his neighbours via a device called the "Bugger King". The device, and corresponding microphones were fitted by Sean's plumber, Hot Bob, who is also a recurring character. Sean is also visited by various associates and neighbours.
Sean Lock: 15 Storeys High
Lock's second series was entitled Sean Lock: 15 Storeys High, and it was also broadcast on Radio 4's "Late Night on 4" comedy slot and written by Sean Lock and Martin TrenamanMartin Trenaman
Martin Trenaman is an English comedy writer and actor, who has contributed to many modern comedy series.Winner of So You Think You're Funny? in 1994, Martin has gone on to write additional material for shows such as Head on Comedy, Lenny Henry in Pieces and Haywire, and comedians such as Harry...
and produced by Chris Neill
Chris Neill
Chris Neill is a British comedian, producer and writer who features regularly on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland. Performing also as a stand-up comedian on the UK circuit, he has presented five solo shows on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 2002.-Early career:Chris Neill began his career...
. These series each consisted of five half-hour episodes. Series one aired from 24 November 1999 to 22 December 1999, and starred Lock, along with Felix Dexter
Felix Dexter
Felix Dexter is an actor, comedian, and writer living in the U.K..-Early life:Dexter was born in St Kitts in the Caribbean, and moved to London with his family at the age of seven.-Radio:...
, Jenny Eclair, Tim Mitchell, Tracy-Ann Oberman
Tracy-Ann Oberman
Tracy-Ann Oberman is an English television, theatre and radio actress, known for her role as Chrissie Watts in the BBC soap opera Eastenders...
, Chris Pavlo and Peter Serafinowicz
Peter Serafinowicz
Peter Szymon Serafinowicz is an English actor, comedian, writer, composer, voice artist and occasional director.-Early life:Serafinowicz was born in Liverpool, England. He attended Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier Secondary School...
. Series two aired from 24 November 2000 to 22 December 2000, and included roles from Dan Freedman, Alex Lowe
Alex Lowe (actor)
Alex Lowe is an English actor and comedian, who is best known as the creator and voice behind the character 'Barry from Watford' on Steve Wright's BBC Radio 2 show and Absolute Radio's Iain Lee Show-Barry from Watford:...
, Dan Mersh, Paul Putner
Paul Putner
-Life and career:He was born in East Grinstead. He studied at LAMDA where he won, amongst other prizes, the Kenneth More prize for comedy acting.His first significant TV role saw Putner as numerous characters in The Glam Metal Detectives shown on BBC2. His real break in comedy came after he set up...
, Rob Rouse
Rob Rouse
Rob Rouse is an English comedian known for his hyperactive brand of humour.-Overview:Before becoming a comedian, Rouse was a geography teacher...
and Chris Neill.
The 15 Storeys High radio series used a different method to present the events going on in other flats in the tower block. It dispensed with the idea of Sean listening in on others using "Bugger King", replacing it with a voiceover simply announcing the flat number of the subsequent scene. The show introduced Sean's flatmate Errol (played by Serafinowicz in series 1, episodes 2-5).
Series one
- The Sofa: Meet Vince's new flatmate, Errol, and witness the trouble a two seater sofa can cause.
- The Model: Nothing goes smoothly when Vincent teaches a model to swim.
- Blue Rat:
- Ice Queen:
- Pool Kids: A war of words between Vincent and the local kids threatens to escalate into all out war.
- Dead Swan:
Series two
- Vince the Shirker:
- Car Boot and Pigeon Shit:
- Holiday:
- Plough:
- The Baby:
- Errol's Women:
TV series
In 2002, 15 Storeys High was made into a television show which ran for two series, each series consisting of six half-hour episodes. In the television series, Lock's character was named Vince (he was simply Sean Lock in the radio series). Vince's flatmate Errol Spears was played by Benedict WongBenedict Wong
Benedict Wong is an English actor and comedian.Wong was born in Manchester and attended school in Salford. His first role was in a 1993 BBC Radio play called Kai Mei Sauce, written by Kevin Wong. He appeared alongside Sean Lock in the situation comedy 15 Storeys High, and as Dr. Franklin Fu in the...
. The TV shows were not recorded with a live audience.
The series was written by Lock, Trenaman and Mark Lamarr
Mark Lamarr
Mark Lamarr is an English comedian, radio DJ and television presenter.-Early life:Lamarr was born in the Park South area of Swindon and has three elder sisters. His father is Irish...
(as Mark Jones), and directed by Mark Nunneley. In the second TV series Lamarr is also credited as a writer. There are currently no plans for a third series, Lock stating that he wished to make one but that "the BBC have put their foot down" http://www.15storeyshigh.net/news.html.
Series one
- The Sofa: Meet Vince's new flatmate, Errol, and witness the trouble a two seater sofa can cause.
- The Model: Nothing goes smoothly when Vincent teaches a model to swim.
- Blue Rat: A bargain energy drink from an Eastern European supermarket causes Vince a few problems.
- Ice Queen: Vincent falls in love with the woman upstairs, but can he pierce her icy heart?
- Pool Kids: A war of words between Vincent and the local kids threatens to escalate into all out war.
- Dead Swan: Vince is accused of a crime that could have him facing prison.
Series two
- Vince the Shirker: Vince falls for the aqua aerobics instructor, Stacey, while Errol tries to conquer his phobia of saying "no".
- Car Boot and Pigeon Shit: Car-boot sales, pigeon droppings and ping-pong enthusiasts converge to create a bad day for Vince.
- Holiday: Vince attempts to go on holiday leaving Errol alone in the flat with strict instructions. Things don't go to plan.
- Plough: Vince wakes up surrounded by the debris of a night out and tries to involve Errol.
- The Baby: Vince applies for the job as manager of the swimming pool.
- Errol's Women: Vince's depression has caused Errol, who has become irresistible to the ladies, to seek help.
Filming locations
The flat in which Vince lives was actually filmed in a studio with large pictures of the adjacent tower blocks as a backdrop. All other flats in both series are real, and are located in the Brandon Estate, KenningtonKennington
Kennington is a district of South London, England, mainly within the London Borough of Lambeth, although part of the area is within the London Borough of Southwark....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The British police drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
also uses this location.
The location of the swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, in which Vince works as a lifeguard
Lifeguard
A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...
, is Ladywell
Ladywell
Ladywell is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham.-History:The name Ladywell was in use by the 15th century, and maps dating to this period show the site of the original Ladywell, in front of the area later to be occupied by the Freemason's Arms and...
Leisure Centre in Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, South East London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in the first series. (map). In the second series, the swimming pool used is in the basement of the Shell Centre
Shell Centre
Shell Centre, in London, United Kingdom is one of the two "central offices" of oil major Shell .Shell Centre is located on the Belvedere Road in the London Borough of Lambeth...
next to Waterloo station
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
. The Elephant and Castle
Elephant and Castle
The Elephant and Castle is a major road intersection in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is also used as a name for the surrounding area....
Shopping centre is also used as a location in several episodes, notably the Sundial restaurant and the Bowling alley.
Series one was initially broadcast on BBC Choice
BBC Choice
BBC Choice was a BBC TV station which launched on 23 September 1998 and closed on 9 February 2003. It was the first British TV channel to broadcast exclusively in digital format, and was the first new channel from the BBC since BBC Two launched in 1964...
(the forerunner to BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
) from 7 November 2002 to 12 December 2002. Series two was broadcast from 12 February 2004 to 18 March 2004.
The show starred Sean Lock and Benedict Wong
Benedict Wong
Benedict Wong is an English actor and comedian.Wong was born in Manchester and attended school in Salford. His first role was in a 1993 BBC Radio play called Kai Mei Sauce, written by Kevin Wong. He appeared alongside Sean Lock in the situation comedy 15 Storeys High, and as Dr. Franklin Fu in the...
. Additional cast members included Dan Mersh, Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey is an English comedian, musician and actor. As well as his extensive stand-up work, Bailey is well known for his appearances on Black Books, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, and QI.Bailey was listed by The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy in...
, Aml Ameen
Aml Ameen
Aml Eysan Ameen is an English actor best known for his roles as Trife in Kidulthood, Lewis Hardy in The Bill and Malcolm in Harry's Law.-Biography:...
, William Tomlin
William Tomlin
William Tomlin is a British child actor known for playing Michael in The Story Of Tracy Beaker and Joey in Strange.William Tomlin no longer takes part in the media industry and does not take part in any acting at all as he is no longer attending Sylvia Young Theatre School.William used to attend...
, Steven Webb
Steven Webb
Steven Webb is an English actor who has been performing in theatre, television and film from the age of eight. Webb was born in Wirral, near Liverpool in the UK.-Career:...
, Mark Lamarr
Mark Lamarr
Mark Lamarr is an English comedian, radio DJ and television presenter.-Early life:Lamarr was born in the Park South area of Swindon and has three elder sisters. His father is Irish...
, Perry Benson
Perry Benson
Perry Benson is an English character actor best known for his regular roles in British television sitcoms You Rang, M'Lord? , Oh, Doctor Beeching! and Operation Good Guys .-Movie career:...
, Simon Godley, Melanie Gutteridge
Melanie Gutteridge
Melanie Gutteridge is a British actress, best known for playing the role of PC Emma Keane in the ITV television series The Bill. She is married to actor Rufus Wright who recently guest starred in an episode of The Bill.Melanie was born in August 1972...
, Peter Serafinowicz
Peter Serafinowicz
Peter Szymon Serafinowicz is an English actor, comedian, writer, composer, voice artist and occasional director.-Early life:Serafinowicz was born in Liverpool, England. He attended Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier Secondary School...
, Michael Greene and James Bachman
James Bachman
James Bachman is an English comedian, actor and writer.He has written for many U.K. radio and television programmes, including That Mitchell and Webb Look , That Mitchell and Webb Sound , Popetown , and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway...
.
DVD
The second series was not released on DVD alone until both series were released as a two-disc set on 17 February 2007. The extras include commentaries by Phil Bowker, Mark Lamarr, Sean Lock, Mark Nunneley and Martin Trenaman and a conversation with Sean Lock and Mark Lamarr, entitled 'Writing 15 Storeys'.Reception
In 2003, 15 Storeys High was nominated for a BAFTABritish Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
in the Best New Director category for its unique style, and innovative shots.
- The Sunday Times
"It should not take more than six minutes of your time to realise that this is the best comedy on television"
"Lock's off-the-beaten-track sitcom is inadequate preparation for the live experience. On television Lock is bleak to the point of alienation."- Bruce Dessau in the London Evening Standard, 19 December 2002http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4153/is_20021219/ai_n12029669.
"The straight acting, the rawness of the dialogue and arid production values make this resemble a Beckett- Bruce Dessau in the London Evening Standard, 2 January 2004http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4153/is_20040102/ai_n9556294Beckett- People :* Arthur William à Beckett , English journalist and man of letters* Barry Beckett , American musician* Billy Beckett , English footballer...
play as filmed by Krzysztof KieslowskiKrzysztof KieslowskiKrzysztof Kieślowski was an Academy Award nominated influential Polish film director and screenwriter, known internationally for The Double Life of Veronique and his film cycles The Decalogue and Three Colors.-Early life:...
. Minimal but beautifully constructed plots involve accidents at the local swimming baths and the loss of a sofa. On paper, 15 Storeys High is not remotely funny, but onscreen it has a bittersweet allure."
"Many of the most successful sitcoms, such as Steptoe and Son- James Rampton in The IndependentSteptoe and SonSteptoe and Son is a British sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about two rag and bone men living in Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherd's Bush, London. Four series were broadcast by the BBC from 1962 to 1965, followed by a second run from 1970 to 1974. Its theme tune, "Old...
, Fawlty TowersFawlty TowersFawlty Towers is a British sitcom produced by BBC Television and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975. Twelve television program episodes were produced . The show was written by John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth, both of whom played major characters...
and PorridgePorridge (TV series)Porridge is a British situation comedy broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977, running for three series, two Christmas specials and a feature film. Written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, it stars Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale as two inmates at the fictional HMP Slade in Cumberland...
, have featured characters who, for one reason or another, are unable to escape from each other. While no one would suggest that 15 Storeys High is in that league, it possesses an appealingly dark sense of the absurd..."
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, 26 February 2004http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040226/ai_n12772717.
"extraordinarily well-written comedy with plot strands and incidental characters worthy of vintage Seinfeld- The TimesSeinfeldSeinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
."
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
http://www.offthekerb.co.uk/artists/artists_reviewsf303.html?artist=sean_lock