I asked Reece Shearsmith at a recent Q&A.
I just wanted to see how hed respond.
Piss off, he said.
Actually, I shouldnt put that in quotation marks because thats not really what he said.
What he really said was much more blue but very jovial and the audience all laughed.
I was initially apprehensive that no one would get the reference but I neednt have been.
So what is it aboutThe League Of Gentlementhat fans love so much?
Surely the answer is in its brilliant writing.
What other writers have brought such a wonderfully dark concoction of hilarity and horror to the small screen?
The show is so gloriously cineliterate whilst also being brilliantly observant of people living in small, remote places.
There are some people who just straight up dont get it, though.
One: its too gross.
Two: its bloody bonkers.
Theres a fine line between madness and genius, and the writers take their ideas and fly with them.
Some of us will follow while others will run screaming from Royston Vasey.
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Oh, did I not mention?
Spoiler warning: I will be talking about what happens to these characters.
Weve all been in that uncomfortable position.
Not only do his incredibly short shorts create a great ensemble for him, his delivery makes this sketch.
As he switches off the cavern lights, he tells his group he doesnt like the darkness.
Is this man just unhappy in his heterosexual marriage or is he a skin-crawling perv?
Anyone who ever had a theatre group visit their school as a child already knows these characters.
Highlights include Dave (Pemberton) dressed as a skeleton with a sign around his neck reading AIDS.
Poor poor Mr Matthew Chinnery (Gatiss), will he ever get it right?
Les McQueen (Gatiss) is perhaps the most tragic character inThe League Of Gentlemen.
Who didnt feel a bit teary when he turned up in full costume to nothing?
More League Of Gentlemen appreciation on the next page.
When Mr Chinnery botches her sex change, the status down there remains unclear.
Wed all love to know, what is this special stuff?
When was the last time your butcher kick-started an epidemic?
Pop (Pemberton) is easily the slimiest resident of Royston Vasey.
Hes wily and he gets what he wants, if only because people wouldnt dare say no to him.
Oh, the Dentons.
Soon, on trueThe League Of Gentlemenform, the ante is considerably upped.
who are passing by.
There are, of course, myriad quotes I could have chosen for this section.
Hokey cokey, pig in a pokey!, dole scum… you know where Im going.
A genuinely touching moment.
I am talking, of course, of Edward (Shearsmith) and Tubbs Tattsyrup (Pemberton).
Best known for asking Are you local?
All visitors to the establishment are greeted with Edwards threatening Hello, hello?
Whats all this shouting?
Well have no trouble here!
as the pair look down their snout noses at their latest victim.
A witch hunt is instigated by the local community which culminates in the shop being set alight.
