STARS
Synopsis, Cast of Characters & Scene Summaries
Based in a small village called "Farwarton" - adjacent the Leeds to Liverpool canal, and on the border of West and North Yorkshire between Keighley and Skipton - this contemporary series looks at the lives of two men and their spouses, as they plan to leave their unhappy memories behind and take to the canals in search of adventure. The humour is a natural product of the coming-together of four very different characters, all of whom have their own endearing qualities, and, some not so endearing. However, despite all the negatives, bonds are formed, even between man and wife, which weren’t there before. As the series unfolds, the stars seem to predict the course of events, albeit in the character’s interpretation – until those that chose to disbelieve, somehow become converts.
DESCRIPTIONS OF MAIN CHARACTERS:
Charlie Parfitt:
42-year-old Charlie Parfitt is a man who needs to take the lead in situations, though he transforms into a timid, submissive character when around his wife, who is more than a match for him. Although he often exaggerates to create the impression of being someone special, Charlie has a low self-esteem, which makes him quite a sad person at times. Nevertheless, Charlie, and Roger are characters that most men will have a certain amount of empathy with.
Roger Bentley
40-year-old Roger Bentley is quite happy to play second fiddle to his slightly older friend. It’s not in his nature to be as forward as Charlie, so he lets him get on with it. He isn’t the sharpest knife in the box, it has to be said, but he is genuine, if not at times, naive. It’s not till late on in the play that one realises just how much Roger has become dependant on Charlie, and how strong he sees the bond between them.
Maureen Parfitt:
40-year-old, Maureen Parfitt, is a very down-to-earth person – although she has sarcasm off to a fine art and won’t have the wool pulled over her eyes by anyone, she has compassion in her heart. That doesn’t always show because she’s always trying to hide it – yet, her kind-hearted nature begins to reveal itself towards the end of the first episode.
Denise Bentley:
34-year-old, Denise Bentley is a philanderer, not on a grand scale, though she does have an eye for talent. Looking back on a lost youth, she seems to have forgotten why she got married in the first place, and now spends her days looking for that extra bit of excitement her life so obviously lacks. However, at the end of the day, the transient thrills provided by her infidelity just aren’t enough, as her Character expires at the end of the first episode.
OTHER PARTS:
WPC Janet Robinson
WPC Shirley Ramsbottom
PC Gareth Nicholls
Eric Monkton (Solicitor)
Sergeant Harold Musgrove
Bartender at Rose & Crown
Pierre (Charlie’s workmate)
Dave (Charlie’s workmate)
John (Charlie’s workmate)
*************************************************************************
Episode 1 – Blue Moon
Charlie Parfitt and Rodger Bentley are lifelong chums dependant on each other to get through life the only way they know how – adhering to the same routine from morning till night. Even Rodger’s horoscope seems to agree. So when Charlie decides he’ll prove the stars wrong by doing something less predictable, fate is inevitably waiting to play its part.
In this first episode, Rodger’s horoscope predicts that he will find romance beneath the moon and stars. However, to the contrary, his wife, Denise - who has been having an affair with the Sergeant of Farwarton Police - decides she’s had enough and leaves him. Charlie, on the other hand, can’t stop thinking about narrow boats, and will soon get his chance to own one, as Rodger’s neighbour is about to put his on the market following a freak accident involving the resident lunatic from next door to Charlie - Barry Bazooka - and a lethal beartrap.
*************************************************************************
Episode 2 – Narrow Minded
Charlie tries convincing his wife, Maureen, that selling the house and buying a narrow boat is a good idea. When he’s done that, he has to inform her that taking Rodger along will also be part of the package – neither of which proves to be easy. Never one to do things logically, he approaches Dave Boocock first, and makes one or two promises on the spur of the moment that may not have been wise.
While Sergeant Musgrove tries ending it with Denise, Maureen loses her cool at work and finds her self unemployed. Meanwhile, the lunatic from next door is up to his old tricks.
*************************************************************************
Episode 3 – Unusual Suspects
Sergeant Harold Musgrove decides that the best form of defence is attack – and makes an anonymous phone call to his colleagues, informing them that either Rodger or Charlie is the Farwarton Thief – a night-time burglar who has been plaguing the area for the past six months. In response, two undercover WPCs are sent to entice them into a confession by employing their womanly ways. Not only does the plan not succeed, but Harold’s vengeful wife contacts Denise to tell her that Harold has been trying to set Rodger up for the burglaries.
*************************************************************************
Episode 4 – Victim Support
Charlie and Maureen become victims of the Farwarton Thief, which convinces Maureen that selling up and buying a boat might be a good idea after all. Unfortunately for Charlie, the attending officers are the same two undercover Officers that tried to pin the robberies on them, and he hasn’t told Maureen about the arrests. Meanwhile, as Charlie and Maureen put their house up for sale, Rodger hatches a plan to get Denise back, which, although it goes terribly wrong, seems to have the desired effect.
Sergeant Musgrove is exposed as the Farwarton Thief, but little can be done about it due to a lack of evidence – that and the fact that Rodger and Denise are the only ones that know – and Maureen barters with Dave Boocock to save them £500 on the boat.
*************************************************************************
Episode 5 – Stars In Their Eyes
While at Rodger’s works’ party, Charlie and Rodger discover a flyer advertising a local store opening attended by Russell Grant, the famous Astrologer, and decide to enrol his services in re-launching the boat before its maiden voyage with the new crew.
While Musgrove carries out another burglary, he finally meets his match in Charlie’s lunatic neighbour, who strips him down to his underwear and hangs him upside down from a tree.
Work on the boat begins in earnest, while Rodger shows Maureen he has a compassionate side to his character. Charlie hands in his notice and a gay couple buy the house, and get Charlie’s pigeons throw in, much to his dismay.
*************************************************************************
Episode 6 – Stars Within Stars
Convinced by the fateful stars, Charlie cuts out the day’s horoscope and frames it, not realising how close to the mark it will become. Nevertheless, it’s the day of the launch and, as Russell Grant’s moonlighting goes horribly wrong, all looks lost for a successful re-launch – until a certain Frenchman called Pierre shows up, and then things really go with a bang.
Based in a small village called "Farwarton" - adjacent the Leeds to Liverpool canal, and on the border of West and North Yorkshire between Keighley and Skipton - this contemporary series looks at the lives of two men and their spouses, as they plan to leave their unhappy memories behind and take to the canals in search of adventure. The humour is a natural product of the coming-together of four very different characters, all of whom have their own endearing qualities, and, some not so endearing. However, despite all the negatives, bonds are formed, even between man and wife, which weren’t there before. As the series unfolds, the stars seem to predict the course of events, albeit in the character’s interpretation – until those that chose to disbelieve, somehow become converts.
DESCRIPTIONS OF MAIN CHARACTERS:
Charlie Parfitt:
42-year-old Charlie Parfitt is a man who needs to take the lead in situations, though he transforms into a timid, submissive character when around his wife, who is more than a match for him. Although he often exaggerates to create the impression of being someone special, Charlie has a low self-esteem, which makes him quite a sad person at times. Nevertheless, Charlie, and Roger are characters that most men will have a certain amount of empathy with.
Roger Bentley
40-year-old Roger Bentley is quite happy to play second fiddle to his slightly older friend. It’s not in his nature to be as forward as Charlie, so he lets him get on with it. He isn’t the sharpest knife in the box, it has to be said, but he is genuine, if not at times, naive. It’s not till late on in the play that one realises just how much Roger has become dependant on Charlie, and how strong he sees the bond between them.
Maureen Parfitt:
40-year-old, Maureen Parfitt, is a very down-to-earth person – although she has sarcasm off to a fine art and won’t have the wool pulled over her eyes by anyone, she has compassion in her heart. That doesn’t always show because she’s always trying to hide it – yet, her kind-hearted nature begins to reveal itself towards the end of the first episode.
Denise Bentley:
34-year-old, Denise Bentley is a philanderer, not on a grand scale, though she does have an eye for talent. Looking back on a lost youth, she seems to have forgotten why she got married in the first place, and now spends her days looking for that extra bit of excitement her life so obviously lacks. However, at the end of the day, the transient thrills provided by her infidelity just aren’t enough, as her Character expires at the end of the first episode.
OTHER PARTS:
WPC Janet Robinson
WPC Shirley Ramsbottom
PC Gareth Nicholls
Eric Monkton (Solicitor)
Sergeant Harold Musgrove
Bartender at Rose & Crown
Pierre (Charlie’s workmate)
Dave (Charlie’s workmate)
John (Charlie’s workmate)
*************************************************************************
Episode 1 – Blue Moon
Charlie Parfitt and Rodger Bentley are lifelong chums dependant on each other to get through life the only way they know how – adhering to the same routine from morning till night. Even Rodger’s horoscope seems to agree. So when Charlie decides he’ll prove the stars wrong by doing something less predictable, fate is inevitably waiting to play its part.
In this first episode, Rodger’s horoscope predicts that he will find romance beneath the moon and stars. However, to the contrary, his wife, Denise - who has been having an affair with the Sergeant of Farwarton Police - decides she’s had enough and leaves him. Charlie, on the other hand, can’t stop thinking about narrow boats, and will soon get his chance to own one, as Rodger’s neighbour is about to put his on the market following a freak accident involving the resident lunatic from next door to Charlie - Barry Bazooka - and a lethal beartrap.
*************************************************************************
Episode 2 – Narrow Minded
Charlie tries convincing his wife, Maureen, that selling the house and buying a narrow boat is a good idea. When he’s done that, he has to inform her that taking Rodger along will also be part of the package – neither of which proves to be easy. Never one to do things logically, he approaches Dave Boocock first, and makes one or two promises on the spur of the moment that may not have been wise.
While Sergeant Musgrove tries ending it with Denise, Maureen loses her cool at work and finds her self unemployed. Meanwhile, the lunatic from next door is up to his old tricks.
*************************************************************************
Episode 3 – Unusual Suspects
Sergeant Harold Musgrove decides that the best form of defence is attack – and makes an anonymous phone call to his colleagues, informing them that either Rodger or Charlie is the Farwarton Thief – a night-time burglar who has been plaguing the area for the past six months. In response, two undercover WPCs are sent to entice them into a confession by employing their womanly ways. Not only does the plan not succeed, but Harold’s vengeful wife contacts Denise to tell her that Harold has been trying to set Rodger up for the burglaries.
*************************************************************************
Episode 4 – Victim Support
Charlie and Maureen become victims of the Farwarton Thief, which convinces Maureen that selling up and buying a boat might be a good idea after all. Unfortunately for Charlie, the attending officers are the same two undercover Officers that tried to pin the robberies on them, and he hasn’t told Maureen about the arrests. Meanwhile, as Charlie and Maureen put their house up for sale, Rodger hatches a plan to get Denise back, which, although it goes terribly wrong, seems to have the desired effect.
Sergeant Musgrove is exposed as the Farwarton Thief, but little can be done about it due to a lack of evidence – that and the fact that Rodger and Denise are the only ones that know – and Maureen barters with Dave Boocock to save them £500 on the boat.
*************************************************************************
Episode 5 – Stars In Their Eyes
While at Rodger’s works’ party, Charlie and Rodger discover a flyer advertising a local store opening attended by Russell Grant, the famous Astrologer, and decide to enrol his services in re-launching the boat before its maiden voyage with the new crew.
While Musgrove carries out another burglary, he finally meets his match in Charlie’s lunatic neighbour, who strips him down to his underwear and hangs him upside down from a tree.
Work on the boat begins in earnest, while Rodger shows Maureen he has a compassionate side to his character. Charlie hands in his notice and a gay couple buy the house, and get Charlie’s pigeons throw in, much to his dismay.
*************************************************************************
Episode 6 – Stars Within Stars
Convinced by the fateful stars, Charlie cuts out the day’s horoscope and frames it, not realising how close to the mark it will become. Nevertheless, it’s the day of the launch and, as Russell Grant’s moonlighting goes horribly wrong, all looks lost for a successful re-launch – until a certain Frenchman called Pierre shows up, and then things really go with a bang.
