Dare To Believe
Encyclopedia
Dare To Believe is a surreal TV sketch show that was shown on ITV
in the UK. The programme was shown during the early hours of the mornings, and ran for 2 series between 2002 and 2004, each with thirteen 30 minute episodes. The show gained a cult following amongst students and insomniacs.
It largely consisted of dada
-inspired comedy sketches, interspersed with periods of hypnotic visuals. During these hypnotic visuals, its much-used catchphrase was often recited: "Fly like a mouse, run like a cushion, be the small bookcase".
It was written and directed by Tim de Jongh (aka Tim Scott), who also acted in the show. Tim Firth
and Michael Marshall Smith
who both co-wrote some of the material were better known (along with Tim de Jongh) for their work on the BBC Radio 4
show, And Now, In Colour. Tim Firth
later won a BAFTA for co-writing and directing the children's show Ripley and Scuff
. Now a writer on stage and screen, work includes Calendar Girls
and the Madness
musical, Our House
. Dare To Believe was commissioned and then re-commissioned by David Liddament. The show was abandoned upon Liddament's exit from ITV.
The show notably contained voice-over work and appearances by the late Patrick Allen
.
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in the UK. The programme was shown during the early hours of the mornings, and ran for 2 series between 2002 and 2004, each with thirteen 30 minute episodes. The show gained a cult following amongst students and insomniacs.
It largely consisted of dada
Dada
Dada or Dadaism is a cultural movement that began in Zurich, Switzerland, during World War I and peaked from 1916 to 1922. The movement primarily involved visual arts, literature—poetry, art manifestoes, art theory—theatre, and graphic design, and concentrated its anti-war politics through a...
-inspired comedy sketches, interspersed with periods of hypnotic visuals. During these hypnotic visuals, its much-used catchphrase was often recited: "Fly like a mouse, run like a cushion, be the small bookcase".
It was written and directed by Tim de Jongh (aka Tim Scott), who also acted in the show. Tim Firth
Tim Firth
Tim Firth is an English dramatist, screenwriter and songwriter.Tim Firth was born, and has lived all his life in, the North West of England on the border of Cheshire and Lancashire...
and Michael Marshall Smith
Michael Marshall Smith
Michael Marshall Smith is a British novelist, screenwriter and short story writer who also writes as Michael Marshall.-Biography:...
who both co-wrote some of the material were better known (along with Tim de Jongh) for their work on the BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
show, And Now, In Colour. Tim Firth
Tim Firth
Tim Firth is an English dramatist, screenwriter and songwriter.Tim Firth was born, and has lived all his life in, the North West of England on the border of Cheshire and Lancashire...
later won a BAFTA for co-writing and directing the children's show Ripley and Scuff
Ripley and Scuff
Ripley and Scuff is a children's programme that was produced for ITV's children's strand CITV and originally aired from 7 January 2002 to 28 February 2003...
. Now a writer on stage and screen, work includes Calendar Girls
Calendar Girls
Calendar Girls is a 2003 comedy film directed by Nigel Cole. Produced by Buena Vista International and Touchstone Pictures, it features a screenplay by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi based on a true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia...
and the Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
musical, Our House
Our House (musical)
Our House is a musical with music and lyrics from Madness and the book by Tim Firth. The show featured songs from the ska/pop band Madness, and was named after one of their popular hit singles, "Our House"...
. Dare To Believe was commissioned and then re-commissioned by David Liddament. The show was abandoned upon Liddament's exit from ITV.
The show notably contained voice-over work and appearances by the late Patrick Allen
Patrick Allen
John Keith Patrick Allen was a British film, television and voice actor.-Life and career:Allen was born in Nyasaland , where his father was a tobacco farmer. After his parents returned to Britain, he was evacuated to Canada during World War II where he remained to finish his education at McGill...
.