DVD Review: Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators: Series 1

Shakespeare & Hathaway – Private Investigators: Series 1

(DVD Shakespeare)

 

This charming contemporary British crime series features Mark Benton as sloppy and curmudgeonly private investigator (and ex-police officer) Frank Hathaway, and Jo Joyner as his unexpected new partner, Luella “Lu” Shakespeare. The pilot episode sets their partnership in motion, as bride-to-be Lu hires Frank to investigate her betrothed, who turns out to be a con artist trying to fleece her. When Lu ends up assisting Frank and his sole assistant, Sebastian, in their investigation, she finds she’s good at the private eye work. By the end of the first episode, Lu and Frank have entered into an uneasy partnership, as she helps prop up his failing business, and he slowly realizes she brings some useful skills to the team.

 

Shakespeare & Hathaway is supposed to be set in Stratford-on-Avon, William Shakespeare’s old stomping grounds, and many of the plots of the episodes feature variations on the plots of the Bard’s classic plays (although many are just straight mysteries). The chemistry between Frank and Lu and Sebastian in this first season of 10 episodes is delightful. Some of the plots are simplistic and predictable, while others kept me guessing. But the true joy in watching this series is seeing how Frank and Lu play off of each other. In another Shakespearean twist, during the first two seasons, Amber Aga plays Frank’s police contact — and former partner — D.I. Marlowe. Shakespeare fans will greatly enjoy all the light-hearted references to Shakespearean works and the world of the Bard.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Rosemary & Thyme, Hettie Wainthropp Investigates, Pie in the Sky, Lovejoy or any other light-hearted modern British mystery series, where the focus is not on an official police officer/detective solving the crime.)

 

( Internet Movie Database entry for this film ) | ( official Shakespeare and Hathaway – Private Investigators on the BBC web site )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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