Programme 1

Programme Outline

The dramatisation of Double Act mirrors the original plot, but it is interesting to observe the adaptations necessary to make it successful for television. The use of camera angles and carefully edited shots and sound reflect the original pace and quirky nature of the book. For example, the visual 'rapping' of sequences which are repeated backwards and forwards accentuates the twins' irritating or naughty behaviour. The settings, design, colour and use of scene-setting animation at the beginning of each episode encapsulate the atmosphere created by Nick Sharratt's illustrations.

The story opens in a suburban house. The 'sold' sign outside symbolises the changes that are about to be experienced by its current occupants: the twins Ruby and Garnet, their dad and grandmother.

Using the twins' voices over a cartoon sequence, we hear the girls' life story to date - how their parents Opal and Richard fell in love, had the twins and lived happily together for some years, until, sadly, Opal became ill and died. The twins' grandmother came to live with them to take care of everything whilst their Dad went to work. Then Richard was made redundant, he met Rose, and everyone's life began to change. Rose - portrayed by the twins and their Gran as the predatory archetypal wicked stepmother - supports 'Rich' in his desire to move to the country and open a bookshop.

The first episode portrays the family's transition from town to country. Gran is left behind in sheltered housing and the girls are carried reluctantly from the bustle of city life to the quiet of a country village and a new beginning.

Ruby is the dominant twin - leading, controlling and sometimes undermining the less confident Garnet - but at this stage of the story they are strongly united in their resentment and hostility towards the usurper, Rose. They employ their spooky talent for identical and infuriating behaviour - 'twin-time', to disrupt life as much as they possibly can in an attempt to oust Rose.

Despite the girls' valiant attempts to sabotage the move, the family arrive at the bookshop and before the end of the episode the twins have managed to make enemies in Blob and his gang.