Watch Alfresco

Alfresco was a British sketch comedy show that aired from 1983 to 1984. The show starred a talented ensemble of comedic performers, including Robbie Coltrane, Ben Elton, and Stephen Fry. Alfresco was a unique show for its time, as it blended together elements of traditional British comedy with more modern, cutting-edge humor.

The show was produced by London Weekend Television and was created by Ben Elton, who had already made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian and writer. Elton also appeared in the show, as did his fellow writers Fry and Hugh Laurie. Other performers in the show included Emma Thompson, Siobhan Redmond, and Robbie Coltrane, who had already established themselves as talented actors in their own right.

The show was often referred to as a successor to the popular sketch comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus, which had ended its run a few years earlier. Like Python, Alfresco featured a mix of silly, absurd humor with more serious, thought-provoking sketches. Unlike Python, however, Alfresco incorporated a more modern approach to comedy, with a focus on political satire and social commentary.

The sketches in Alfresco were incredibly varied, ranging from surreal and absurd to subtle and nuanced. Many of the show's most memorable sketches were musical numbers, which were both hilarious and catchy. For example, one sketch featured a group of businessmen dressed in suits and ties singing about the joys of cocaine in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

Other sketches included parodies of popular television shows and movies, such as Star Wars, Dallas, and The Shining. Some sketches were rooted in political satire, such as a fake news report about a fictional political crisis in South Africa. Still, others were classic physical comedy bits, such as a sketch in which a man battles a seemingly endless number of chairs.

Throughout the show, the performers showcased their incredible range and versatility. One moment, they could be delivering biting political commentary, and the next, they could be performing a silly dance routine. Regardless of the sketch, however, the performers always brought an incredible level of energy and commitment to their performances.

One of the standout performers on the show was Robbie Coltrane, who would go on to become an international superstar thanks to his role in the Harry Potter films. In Alfresco, Coltrane was already displaying his incredible talent for physical comedy, often appearing in sketches that required him to perform intricate dance routines or stunts. Coltrane's presence on the show helped to make it a must-watch for fans of British comedy.

Another standout performer on the show was Stephen Fry, who would go on to become one of the most beloved and respected figures in British entertainment. In Alfresco, Fry was already displaying his incredible talent for wordplay and clever humor, often appearing in sketches that required him to use his sharp wit to deliver biting social commentary.

Despite only running for two seasons, Alfresco has remained a beloved cult classic among fans of British comedy. The show's unique blend of surreal humor, political satire, and musical numbers set it apart from its contemporaries, and the incredible performances by its talented ensemble cast make it a must-watch for anyone who loves great comedy.

Alfresco is a series that ran for 3 seasons (16 episodes) between May 1, 1983 and on Acorn TV