A Bit of a Do

Families clash and classes collide in this brilliant British comedy, finally available on DVD! Sir David Jason (A Touch of Frost) leads a stellar ensemble cast in this award-winning series based on books by David Nobbs (The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin). When a shotgun wedding forces two families together, the stage is set for hilarity and heartache. The working-class Simcocks and middle-class Rodenhursts may be from different ends of the social spectrum, but both are equally snobbish. Their fortunes forever linked, they bump into each other at various functions: weddings, a funeral and even the crowning of Miss Frozen Chicken. Fueled by pride, jealousy, alcohol and lust, each "do" is a calamity in the making. A rarely seen treasure!

Season 1
The White Wedding - It's the day of the wedding of Jenny Rodenhurst to Paul Simcock and everything is going smoothly until, the groom's father and the bride's mother do something that will make it a day that everyone will remember for the wrong reason.

The Dentists' Dinner Dance - Laurence Rodenhurst usually looks forward to the dentist's dinner dance, but when the Simcock family unexpectedly turn up, the recent occurrence at the wedding makes his evening far from enjoyable.

The Angling Club Christmas Party - Ted invites Laurence to his local, to celebrate his last evening as the Honourary Chairman of the Crown and Walnut Angling Club but he isn't prepared for what happens at the party.

The Charity Horse-Racing Evening - The Charity Horse Racing event is always an exciting occasion but this year, all the excitement is happening among the guests and not on the racetrack.

The Crowning Of Miss Frozen Chicken (UK) - Rodney is the host at the annual Battery Chicken industry's beauty contest and Jenny and Paul have a big shock planned for him but, before the end of the evening, they will have had some big shocks also.

The Registry Office Wedding - The lives of both the families have changed dramatically since the wedding, and as they get together for a different type of wedding, the unexpected is just around the corner.

Season 2
The Church Wedding - Ted's ex-wife Rita is getting married to a Liberal Democratic parliamentary candidate who just happens to be at least ten years younger than she is. As usual, the day turns out to be a memorable one that several guests would rather not remember.

The Christening - Liz and Neville's baby is being christened and the only thing that could spoil the occasion is that Neville isn't actually the baby's father. Ted, the real father, turns up but has promised not to make a scene.

The Grand Opening Of Sillitoe's - It's the grand opening of Rodney and Betty's vegetarian excursion into the business world, but due to the animosity between the families, the evening does not turn out as planned.

The Farewell Party - Ted's farewell party is a posh affair with champagne, caviar and smoked salmon, but, as always, there is a calamity waiting to happen when he least expects it.

The Inauguration Of The Outer Inner Relief Ring Road - Rita believes that her work as a local councillor can be kept separate from her private life, but during the evening, her family and friends prove otherwise.

The Funeral - Although this is a sad occasion, certain people begin to have inappropriate thoughts about success, love and happiness.

The Civil Wedding - Its the day of another wedding but will everything finally go as planned, or will the goings-on in the Geoffrey Boycott room have any effect on the proceedings?

Directed by David Reynolds, John Glenister, Ronnie Baxter
Written by David Nobbs
Produced by David Reynolds
Executive Produced by Vernon Lawrence
Original Music by George Melly
Film Editing by John Allen, Mick Miller, Lance Tattersall
Costume Design by Val Hurst

Ted Simcock
Foundry owner. Played by: David Jason
Ted is married to Rita and they have two grown-up children together but this has not stopped him from cheating on her several times. His latest indiscretion comes with Liz.

He is very proud of his foundry business and places considerable importance on the respect that this brings him in society.

Rita Simcock
Housewife. Played by: Gwen Taylor
Rita has, for many years, existed solely as Ted's wife but his latest infidelity causes her to become more independent. She also has to cope with the death of her father and mother and these factors lead to her becoming a stronger person.

Liz Rodenhurst
aka: Liz Badger Played by: Nicola Pagett
Trapped in a loveless marriage with Laurence for years, Liz seeks comfort and fulfilment in the arms of other men. Her latest dalliance is with Ted and leads to her falling pregnant.

Laurence Rodenhurst (Series 1)
Dentist. Played by: Paul Chapman
Laurence accepts that his wife is unsatisfied and also accepts that she will have affairs with other men. He is more concerned however, with his public image and standing in society. When news of Liz and Ted's relationship becomes public, Laurence must try to cope with the damage that it does to his pride and reputation.

Betty Sillitoe
Played by: Stephanie Cole
Betty is blissfully happily married to Rodney and they are rarely seen apart. They are both loyal friends to the Simcocks and the only slight blot on their marriage is their tendency to get drunk at public functions.

Rodney Sillitoe
Chicken farm owner. Played by: Tim Wylton
Rodney manages a successful chicken farm and is devoted to Betty. He is frequently subjected to Jenny's views on farming however, and this makes him reconsider his business.

Neville Badger
Solicitor. Played by: Michael Jayston
Neville has been left bereaved following the recent death of his beloved wife Jane. He still finds it difficult to talk about her and to attend functions but this doesn't stop him from being desired by more than one woman.