The Visit

With Extras and Little Britain currently off the small screen we have been somewhat deprived of quality home-grown humour. But BBC Three has come to the rescue with a new comedy series by stand-up comedian Tony Burgess.

The entire show is set in the visitor’s room at a category three prison.

The inmates, who are in for a variety of offences, are briefly reunited with friends, family and associates from the outside world for a weekly half hour reunion.
While I was sure that the premise for the show would barely fill a skit, let alone a half hour show, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the first episode not only held my interest but had me laughing with its clever dialogue.

The series opens with the families and associates of the inmates of HMP Radford Hill going into the visitor’s room for their weekly catch-up -  with the help of the dry and disillusioned prison guards.
The inmates are then scanned by the guards before joining their nearest and dearest.

Radford Hill newcomer Clint has all his fellow inmates believing he is a hardman and not to be messed with. He entertains them with stories of previous stretches inside and intimidates some of the softer prisoners to enhance his street cred.
“You know what they used to call me in the Scrubs? Frisbee, cause no matter how many times I got chucked out, I always ended up back in there again,” brags Clint.
“Boomerang that innit?” laughs Lee.
“Na Frisbee,” Clint assures him.
However when Clint’s long-suffering wife Bev pays her first visit with their twins, she quickly sets the record straight, especially when the rest of the inmates discover why he’s really doing time.

Meanwhile Michael, the only inmate who is actually innocent, has his whole family trooping in and giving advice for his appeal.
His religious Nan is determined to save his soul and is constantly presenting him with crucifixes and suggesting he may like to have a little chat with Father O’Kane.
While they all work towards his appeal, will Michael be able to grass on the mates that tricked him into becoming a getaway driver and ensure his release?
While the action is not exactly fast paced, the dialogue is witty and the comedic interactions well observed.
Only time will tell if it can continue to be funny and engaging for the whole series.

Belinda Wanis

The Visit starts on BBC3 on Sunday 15th July at 9pm.

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