15 Storeys High

infobox television
show_name = 15 Storeys High


caption = DVD cover for the 2007 release of 15 Storeys High series 1 & 2
format = Comedy
runtime = 30 min
creator = Sean Lock
Martin Trenaman
Mark Lamarr (as Mark Jones)
Mark Nunneley
director = Mark Nunneley
producer = Phil Bowker
starring = Sean Lock
Benedict Wong
channel = BBC Choice / BBC Three / BBC Two (UK)
first_aired = 7 November 2002
last_aired = 18 March 2004
num_series = 2
num_episodes = 12
imdb_id = 0354262|

"15 Storeys High" is a critically acclaimed British sitcom, set in a tower block. The main characters are Vince Clark, a misanthropic, cynical recluse played by Sean Lock, and Errol Spears, Vince's exact opposite and whipping boy.

Radio series

The show's original incarnation was a radio series entitled "Sean Lock's 15 Minutes Of Misery". It was broadcast weekly on BBC Radio 4 in the "Late Night on 4" comedy slot at 11.00pm, between 30 December 1998 and 3 February 1999. The show, which ran for six episodes, starred Lock, Kevin Eldon and Hattie Hayridge. [cite web
title = epguides.com
work = Sean Lock's 15 Minutes of Misery a Titles & Air Dates Guide
url=http://epguides.com/SeanLocks15MinutesofMisery/
accessdate = 2008-08-18 ]

This was later followed by two series of "Sean Lock: 15 Storeys High", also on Radio 4's "Late Night on 4" comedy slot and written Sean Lock and Martin Trenaman. These series each consisted of five half-hour episodes. Series one aired from 24 November 1999 to 22 December 1999, and starred Lock, along with Felix Dexter (who played Errol Spears), Jenny Eclair, Tim Mitchell, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Chris Pavlo and Peter Serafinowicz. Series two aired from 24 November 2000 to 22 December 2000, and included roles from Dan Freedman, Alex Lowe, Dan Mersh, Paul Putner, Rob Rouse and Chris Neill. [cite web
title = epguides.com
work = Sean Lock: 15 Storeys High a Titles & Air Dates Guide
url=http://epguides.com/15StoreysHigh/radio.shtml
accessdate = 2008-08-18 ]

The shows were recorded in front of a studio audience.

Episodes (incomplete)

eries one

# The Entry Phone
# The Dead Swan
# Blue Rat
# The New Sofa
# The Sticky Patch

eries two

# The Stolen Plough
# Billy Two Nans
# The Pigeon Lady
# Decorating the Bathroom
# Errol's Girlfriends

TV series

In 2002, 15 Storeys High was made into a television show which ran for two series, each series consisting of six half-hour episodes. In the TV show, Vince's flatmate Errol Spears was played by Benedict Wong. Unlike the radio shows, the TV shows were not recorded with a live audience.

The series was written by Lock, Trenaman and Mark Lamarr (as Mark Jones), and directed by Mark Nunneley. In the second TV series Lamarr is also credited as a writer. There are currently no plans for a third series, Lock stating that he wished to make one but that "the BBC have put their foot down" ^{[http://www.15storeyshigh.net/news.html]} .

Filming locations

The flat in which Vince lives was actually filmed in a studio with large pictures of the adjacent tower blocks as a backdrop. All other flats in both series are real, and are located in the Brandon Estate, Kennington, London. The British police drama "The Bill" also uses this location.The location of the swimming pool, in which Vince works as a lifeguard, is Ladywell Leisure Centre in Lewisham, South East London in the first series. ( [http://www.google.co.uk/local?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=leisure+centre+ladywell&near=Lewisham&sa=X&oi=locald&radius=0.0&latlng=51456509,-14445,8573649989059165725 map] ). In the second series, the swimming pool used is in the basement of the Shell Centre next to Waterloo station.

Series one was initially broadcast on BBC Choice (the forerunner to BBC Three) from 7 November 2002 to 12 December 2002. Series two was broadcast from 12 February 2004 to 18 March 2004. [cite web
title = epguides.com
work = 15 Storeys High a Titles & Air Dates Guide
url=http://epguides.com/15StoreysHigh/
accessdate = 2008-08-18 ]

The show starred Sean Lock and Benedict Wong. Additional cast members included Dan Mersh, William Tomlin, Steven Webb, Mark Lamarr, Perry Benson, Melanie Gutteridge and Michael Greene.

Episodes

eries one

# The Sofa
# The Model
# Blue Rat
# Pool Kids
# Ice Queen
# Dead Swan

eries two

# Vince the Shirker
# Car Boot and Pigeon Shit
# Holiday
# The Plough
# The Baby
# Errol's Women

DVD

The second series was not released on DVD alone until both series were released as a two-disc set on 17 February 2007. The extras include commentaries by Phil Bowker, Mark Lamarr, Sean Lock, Mark Nunneley and Martin Trenaman and a conversation with Sean Lock and Mark Lamarr, entitled 'Writing 15 Storeys'.

Reception

In 2003, "15 Storeys High" was nominated for a BAFTA in the "Best New Director" category for it's unique style, and innovative shots.

"It should not take more than six minutes of your time to realise that this it eh best comedy on television"

- The Sunday Times

"Lock's off-the-beaten-track sitcom is inadequate preparation for the live experience. On television Lock is bleak to the point of alienation."

- Bruce Dessau in the "London Evening Standard", 19 December 2002 ^{[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4153/is_20021219/ai_n12029669]} .

"The straight acting, the rawness of the dialogue and arid production values make this resemble a Beckett play as filmed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. Minimal but beautifully constructed plots involve accidents at the local swimming baths and the loss of a sofa. On paper, 15 Storeys High is not remotely funny, but onscreen it has a bittersweet allure."

- Bruce Dessau in the "London Evening Standard", 2 January 2004 ^{[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4153/is_20040102/ai_n9556294]}

"Many of the most successful sitcoms, such as Steptoe and Son, Fawlty Towers and Porridge, have featured characters who, for one reason or another, are unable to escape from each other. While no one would suggest that 15 Storeys High is in that league, it possesses an appealingly dark sense of the absurd..."

- James Rampton in "The Independent", 26 February 2004 ^{[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040226/ai_n12772717]} .

"extraordinarily well-written comedy with plot strands and incidental characters worthy of vintage Seinfeld."

- "The Times" ^{[http://www.offthekerb.co.uk/artists/artists_reviewsf303.html?artist=sean_lock]}

References

External links

*bbc.co.uk|id=comedy/guide/articles/other/15storeyshigh_1299003533.shtml|title="15 Storeys High" Comedy Guide
*imdb title|id=0354262|title=15 Storeys High