SQUIRE JOHN’S FIREPLACE

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Happy New Year! I’m writing this on New Years Day as the UK is being blasted with some extreme weather. So let’s gather round the fireplace to keep warm. And not just any old fireplace. This one has quite the comedy pedigree. 



MONTY PYTHONS FLYING CIRCUS, 1969

Starting, as always, at the earliest appearance. You can see the fireplace on the far right of this screen grab. It’s mostly obscured but is identifiable by the carved design that runs across of top. This is the first of number of comedy appearances. The episode is from Python’s first season and is titled The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Goes to the Bathroom.

THE VISITATION, 1982

The fireplace appears in the 17th Century Manor House of Squire John in Eric Saward’s Season 19 story. 

BLACKADDER II, 1986

Back to the comedy and a classic at that. The fireplace can be found in the residence of Lord Edmund Blackadder himself. 

GRACE & FAVOUR, 1992

And finally, the fireplace appears in this early 90s sequel to Are You Being Served?

I’ve been looking for this prop in a bunch of different period programmes but so far I haven’t found it anywhere else. If you come across this in your vintage telly viewing I’d love to hear from you. 









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