This is my favourite episode of Rik Mayall's anthology series 'Rik Mayall's Presents'. Written by Nick Vivian, and named after one of Abba's Number. 1 hits, 'Dancing Queen' is all about the story of upper class twit Neil, who is due to be married to the prim and proper Sophie. However, on his stag night, his friends spike his drink, tear off his trousers, steal his money and board him on a train to Doncaster with a one way ticket.
Waking up, he finds himself sharing a carriage with Julie, a stripper who was performing for Neil at his stag night ( and whose stripper name is Pandora ). Despite her profession, she is deep down a well meaning, caring and kind-hearted girl, as is evidenced by her sympathy for Neil's predicament. Whilst Neil is stranded in Scarborough vainly attempting to telephone his bride-to-be, Julie provides him with clothes and even tries to get him some food but his temper takes over and he ends up blowing his top unjustly at Julie, which culminates in him getting a bucket of cod heads tipped over his head. However, upon calming down, she forgives him and the two seem to develop a close bond.
Eventually, arriving home, he tries to make amends with Sophie but she is furious with Neil and denounces Julie as a 'piece of s**t!'', Neil then counterattacks by referring to her friend Nigel ( who was responsible for Neil's predicament ) as a 'twat' and a 'wanker' and telling her it was all his fault that things turned out the way they did. After their heated argument, Neil walks out of her life and returns to Yorkshire to be with Julie.
Wonderfully acted and sharply written, 'Dancing Queen' is a little gem that while it still affords us the chance to enjoy Rik's comedic prowess, also shows us that he is a fine straight actor in his own right. Indeed this series was written so Rik could prove to viewers that he was capable of much more than violent slapstick. His gamble paid off. Sexy Helena Bonham Carter is wonderful as Julie and her chemistry with Mayall was a winning one. Also seen in the cast was Martin Clunes as one of the pranksters from Neil's stag night.
'Dancing Queen' was remade a year after this as 'Staggered', which had Martin Clunes in Rik's place but 'Dancing Queen' was the best of the two.
Funniest bit - the 'bucket of cod heads over the head' moment!
Waking up, he finds himself sharing a carriage with Julie, a stripper who was performing for Neil at his stag night ( and whose stripper name is Pandora ). Despite her profession, she is deep down a well meaning, caring and kind-hearted girl, as is evidenced by her sympathy for Neil's predicament. Whilst Neil is stranded in Scarborough vainly attempting to telephone his bride-to-be, Julie provides him with clothes and even tries to get him some food but his temper takes over and he ends up blowing his top unjustly at Julie, which culminates in him getting a bucket of cod heads tipped over his head. However, upon calming down, she forgives him and the two seem to develop a close bond.
Eventually, arriving home, he tries to make amends with Sophie but she is furious with Neil and denounces Julie as a 'piece of s**t!'', Neil then counterattacks by referring to her friend Nigel ( who was responsible for Neil's predicament ) as a 'twat' and a 'wanker' and telling her it was all his fault that things turned out the way they did. After their heated argument, Neil walks out of her life and returns to Yorkshire to be with Julie.
Wonderfully acted and sharply written, 'Dancing Queen' is a little gem that while it still affords us the chance to enjoy Rik's comedic prowess, also shows us that he is a fine straight actor in his own right. Indeed this series was written so Rik could prove to viewers that he was capable of much more than violent slapstick. His gamble paid off. Sexy Helena Bonham Carter is wonderful as Julie and her chemistry with Mayall was a winning one. Also seen in the cast was Martin Clunes as one of the pranksters from Neil's stag night.
'Dancing Queen' was remade a year after this as 'Staggered', which had Martin Clunes in Rik's place but 'Dancing Queen' was the best of the two.
Funniest bit - the 'bucket of cod heads over the head' moment!