Desmond's + intro + Q&A with Trix Worrell

Part of our second TV Festival bringing small screen classics to the big screen in an annual celebration of John Logie Baird whose experiments in early television technology took place right here in Hastings over 100 years ago giving the town the moniker, the Birthplace of Television.

Desmond’s was a very popular and well-loved sitcom set in a Peckham barbershop, reflecting real-life issues with humour and heart, starring Norman Beaton as Desmond and Carmen Munroe as his wife Shirley.

The show was incredibly successful, and was Channel 4’s longest-running sitcom at the time, with around 3.5 million viewers per episode. The barbershop served as a community hub, addressing real-life issues, including black-on-black prejudice, while bringing plenty of laughs. It was filmed using traditional methods, with a live studio audience, fixed cameras and canned laughter.

As part of this special event we will screen 3 episodes chosen by series creator and TV screenwriter, Trix Worrell who will introduce this special TV Festival screening and be part the Q&A afterwards.

Trix Worrell is a British writer, composer and director best known as the creator and writer of television sitcoms Desmond's and Porkpie for Channel 4. He now lives in Hastings and is one of the patrons of the Hastings Book Festival.

In partnership with Hastings Book Festival.

With thanks to the BFI National Archive for this annual festival of communal TV watching, discussion and reminiscence. 

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