BBC HomeExplore the BBC
This page was last updated in September 2004We've left it here for reference.More information

7 February 2011
Accessibility help
Text only
Cult Television

BBC Homepage
Entertainment

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 
Cult | News | 14 September 2004

Review: The House of Eliott

Season one of the fashion drama is out on DVD.

"Jack!"

"What is it Bea?"

"I love you Jack, but we've run out of buttons so I will have to take my leave."

"But your sister Evie, surely she can get the buttons you seek?"

"She cannot for she has to help the poor while remaining aloof and without touching them."

"Oh! In that happenstance I will be forced to take my leave and seek solace in the limited bosom of a dappy flapper. Goodbye."

"Jack!"

Watching the series on DVD you can see why French and Saunders chose it to lampoon it as The House of Idiot.

Bea and Evie's father dies and they discover that not only has he left them without a penny, he has sired an illegitimate son! Evie befriends Penelope, a women's rights campaigner and general do-gooder, who helps Bea land a job as a personal assistant to her brother Jack, a society photographer. He's a bit of a bounder but a generally a good egg.

Soon the sisters' home-made outfits are attracting attention and their dream of founding the House of Elliot becomes a reality. Oh there's trouble on the way, but our plucky gals win through in the end.

That's the premise, laid down by Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh who devised Upstairs, Downstairs, and you can see why the BBC were attracted to it. The House of Eliott has all the hallmarks of classic costume drama - class struggle, posh frocks and a bit of history. Unfortunately, something went wrong - it's like the producer locked the writers up with the O'level History syllabus and a video of How We Used to Live and gave them 24 hours to come up with twelve scripts.

Lines and scenes come out of nowhere to reinforce the fact that times are hard or that they are a changing. Characters are drawn with broad strokes, with bosses of the boo-hiss variety and seamstresses downtrodden but ultimately plucky. But while this all may be rather cringe-worthy it can also make it quite fun - and anyway there's always something pretty to look at.

What makes The House of Eliott work is the acting of the leads, Stella Gonet and Louise Lombard, who always act as if they're working on the best drama ever, lending each line conviction and gravitas. It's a piece of fluff, but addictive and well made fluff. If you get bored you can always spot famous actors. Ooh, look - there's Minnie Driver in episode four!

Extras on this series one set are a bit sparse, limited to biographies, galleries and a fashion background. Unfortunately, there's not a cure for getting that damn theme tune out of your head or instructions on how to make your own stunning outfit from a bedsheet.



World of Cult web guide:

Understand your penson. Maybe.
Catch up on BBC TV and Radio. Watch and listen now.

BlastMixing ItDead Ringers


About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy