Page 28 - Community Living Magazine 32 - 2

TV review

Rosie and, although she is not a learning
disabled actor, she is entirely convincing,
In his interview with BBC Media, Pye
was asked whether a girl with a learning
disability could have been cast. He said
they had consulted professionals and
been told that it would be too much for
someone with a learning disability, as the
demands on set are very tough.
I feel that given recent performances by
actors with learning disabilities in recent
TV dramas, it would have been an ideal
opportunity to showcase the talents of
one of the many young learning disabled
actors who are eager for a chance to shine.
Telling it like it is bleak humour

The script is peppered with humour that
at times could be viewed as politically
incorrect. In a conversation with Simon as
A darkly comic drama showing what it’s like to raise a child they watch bands on TV, Emily says “I love
with a learning disability is an honest, refreshing alternative to Simple Minds”, to which Simon replies
the usual schmaltzy family stories, says Tracey harding “Please don’t talk about Rosie like that”.
This takes some getting used to initially,
but the quality and strength of the writing
ensure we are aware that, in the context
There She Goes sitcom doesn’t speak about any other of Simon’s life, these remarks are part of
BBC 4, October-November 2018 parents’ experiences. There She Goes is a his coping mechanism and his shield
very authored piece. All I can do is tell my against the reality of living with and loving
drama/comedy about a family story as truthfully as I can” (Interview with his difficult daughter.
whose nine-year-old daughter BBC Media, 8 October 2018). Whatever is said makes us aware that,
a rose has profound learning There She Goes is blessed with a stellar like so many families in similar situations,
disabilities was in turn emotionally heart cast featuring David Tennant as Simon and each person gets through things in their
wrenching and laugh-out-loud funny. Jessica Hynes as Emily, the beleaguered own way, and we are never in doubt this
Shaun Pye’s drama series There She Goes parents of Rosie, played with emotional is a story about love.
is based on his experiences of bringing up intensity by Miley Locke. Pye has succeeded in writing an honest
his daughter, who has an undiagnosed The story knits together two timelines, portrayal of life with a disabled child
chromosomal disorder, and opened with past and present. The first focuses on the which, while dealing with a specific
“One day in the life of Rosie yates”. birth of Rosie and the heartbreaking experience, has captured the emotions
realisation for Simon and Emily that that will ring true with a wide audience of
something is wrong with their daughter. parents who are trying to do their best.
Hynes gives a wonderful performance There She Goes is a refreshing alternative
as she struggles to make sense of what is to schmaltzy family dramas and, with a
happening, and tries to convince her child with learning disabilities as the central
mother and health professionals that her character, it is good to see this shown. It is
feelings are not just those of an overtired commendable that the public has been
new mother. presented with a series bold enough to
The second timeline brings us up to tackle the anger and disappointment, as
date with the family coping – or often not well as the humour and joy, of life with a
coping – on a day-to-day basis. They have child who has severe learning disabilities. n
developed their own ways
of dealing with Rosie,
Pye has an illustrious pedigree as a including ignoring her,
writer for 8 Out of 10 Cats and The drinking copious amounts
Jonathan Ross Show, as well as acting of wine and, most
credentials on Extras with Ricky Gervais. effectively, bribing her
His decision to write the series as comic with Mini Cheddars. Miley
drama makes the subject matter Locke is compelling as
accessible to a Tv audience, and reflects
Pye’s experiences of parenting a child with Miley Locke is convincing as
learning disabilities being in equal parts Rosie, and parents David
dramatic struggle and comedy. Tennant as Simon and Jessica
As Pye himself says: “It’s not a Hynes as Emily are shown
generalised story about disability. This coping – and not coping BBC

28 Vol 32 No 2 | Winter 2018 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk