Adrian Mole: The Complete Series [DVD]
Network catalogue no: 7953736. 2 disc set. Released 2/7/12.
I have fond memories of both the Adrian Mole series from their first transmission in the 1980s. However until this DVD was released in 2012 I had not seen either series for over twenty-five years.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 was shown from September 1985, with The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole following in May 1987. Although Gian Sammarco appeared in both series, there was a casting change relating to Mole’s mother Pauline: in the original series, she was played by Julie Walters, but was portrayed by Lulu in the later series. Surprisingly this change did not hurt the show in any way.
The theme song ‘Profoundly in Love With Pandora’ by Ian Dury was indicative of the time, and Sue Townsend’s books were done proud by these adaptations which pull out the quiet comedy and pathos of growing up as an 80s teenager.