Sir Gadabout: The Worst Knight in the Land
Encyclopedia
Sir Gadabout: The Worst Knight In The Land was a British
children's comedy television programme, broadcast on CITV
. It originally aired between February 11, 2002 and May 9, 2003.
It was nominated for "Best Drama" at the BAFTA Children's Awards in 2002. and won "Best Children's Programme" at the INDIE Awards 2003.
Sir Gadabout is a nightmare of the Round Table
as his devotion to the task of protecting King Arthur
is undermined by constant blundering. He is often teased by the other knights, particularly the handsome but irritating Sir Lancelot
, who Gadabout and his friends frequently try to get the better of.
At the head of the Round Table is the legendary King Arthur who tolerates Gadabout's blundering as he sympathises with him - he too being a terrible blunderer. His teenage daughter, Princess Elenora, is by far more intelligent and capable than her father. She often aids Gadabout and his squire Will (later Juan) in their adventures.
The kingdom is terrorised by the terrible twosome Sir Rancid and his "Nanny" - a comical version of Sir Mordred and his aunt Morgan le Fay
- who are set on destroying Camelot and the Round Table
. Their attempts to destroy Camelot
are always stopped by the intervention of Gadabout, Will, and the mysterious "Sir Knight". The only one who knows the identity of "Sir Knight" is Merlin
, who watches over Camelot in his crystal ball.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
children's comedy television programme, broadcast on CITV
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
. It originally aired between February 11, 2002 and May 9, 2003.
Overview
Sir Gadabout was an adaptation of series of books by Martyn Beardsley. The show was produced by Lucy Goodman who co-wrote on some episodes. Lead Director was Ian Emes who also co-wrote and Lead Writer was Alex Williams. The show won a BAFTA at the BAFTA Children's Awards in 2003 in the category "Best Writer", with the award going to head writer Alex Williams.It was nominated for "Best Drama" at the BAFTA Children's Awards in 2002. and won "Best Children's Programme" at the INDIE Awards 2003.
Plot
In CamelotCamelot
Camelot is a castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and eventually came to be described as the fantastic capital of Arthur's realm and a symbol of the Arthurian world...
Sir Gadabout is a nightmare of the Round Table
Round Table
The Round Table is King Arthur's famed table in the Arthurian legend, around which he and his Knights congregate. As its name suggests, it has no head, implying that everyone who sits there has equal status. The table was first described in 1155 by Wace, who relied on previous depictions of...
as his devotion to the task of protecting King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
is undermined by constant blundering. He is often teased by the other knights, particularly the handsome but irritating Sir Lancelot
Lancelot
Sir Lancelot du Lac is one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He is the most trusted of King Arthur's knights and plays a part in many of Arthur's victories...
, who Gadabout and his friends frequently try to get the better of.
At the head of the Round Table is the legendary King Arthur who tolerates Gadabout's blundering as he sympathises with him - he too being a terrible blunderer. His teenage daughter, Princess Elenora, is by far more intelligent and capable than her father. She often aids Gadabout and his squire Will (later Juan) in their adventures.
The kingdom is terrorised by the terrible twosome Sir Rancid and his "Nanny" - a comical version of Sir Mordred and his aunt Morgan le Fay
Morgan le Fay
Morgan le Fay , alternatively known as Morgane, Morgaine, Morgana and other variants, is a powerful sorceress in the Arthurian legend. Early works featuring Morgan do not elaborate her character beyond her role as a fay or magician...
- who are set on destroying Camelot and the Round Table
Round Table
The Round Table is King Arthur's famed table in the Arthurian legend, around which he and his Knights congregate. As its name suggests, it has no head, implying that everyone who sits there has equal status. The table was first described in 1155 by Wace, who relied on previous depictions of...
. Their attempts to destroy Camelot
Camelot
Camelot is a castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and eventually came to be described as the fantastic capital of Arthur's realm and a symbol of the Arthurian world...
are always stopped by the intervention of Gadabout, Will, and the mysterious "Sir Knight". The only one who knows the identity of "Sir Knight" is Merlin
Merlin
Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
, who watches over Camelot in his crystal ball.
Series 1
- 1. Lead Balloons - Accident prone Sir Gadabout loses his job and the dastardly Nanny is out to replace him as Knight of the Round Table. Nanny, is also unsure of Elenora, whose secret dream to become a knight is about to be realised. It all comes to a head and a battle ensues.
- 2. Halibut in the Stone - When Excalibur the magic sword is stolen, King Arthur banishes Sir Gadabout from Camelot. Without Excalibur, Camelot will crumble and fall. Can Excalibur be rescued in time to save Camelot, and will Sir Gadabout be restored to the Round Table?
- 3. The Strike - Rancid and Nanny incite the Knights of the Round Table to go on strike and Nanny takes over as Queen of Camelot. Can Sir Gadabout restore the King to the throne and banish Nanny back to Castle Rancid for good?
- 4. Love Potion - It is Cupid's Day in Camelot but Nanny's plan to make King Arthur fall in love with her goes horribly wrong. Instead Sir Gadabout falls in love with Nanny, and King Arhtur falls in love with his horse! Surely Sir Knight can save the day?
- 5. Chiller - Rancid awakens Chiller, a demon from the Underworld who secretly takes over the body of Elenora. King Arthur's beautiful daughter is now a wicked little minx who can freeze people with her breath. The transformation will be permanent and Elenora will be stuck in the Underworld, unless someone can save her. Can Will do it?
- 6. Ogwozzle - Sir Gadabout accidentally brings the Ogwozzle stick back to life and finds he is inextricably bound to a supernatural imp who is hell-bent on wreaking havoc in Camelot. Can Sir Gadabout outwit the dangerous Ogwozzle and return Camelot to normal?
- 7. Elenora's Betrothal - King Arthur dreams that Elenora will one day run Camelot. He must marry her off to prevent such a terrible thing. Rancid is determined to win her hand and therefore Camelot. Sadly, Will's rescue plan depends on Sir Gadabout winning a duel. Only a miracle can save her.
- 8. Silent Knight - It's the Knight of the Year competition but rancid and Nanny plan to spoil it by stealing the prize money. Their obnoxious young visitor accidentally locks Sir Gadabout in the torture chamber. Will he stop the gruesome twosome making off with the prize money?
- 9. The Ghost - Sir Gadabout sees a ghost but no-one believes him. Is this another plot by Rancid and Nanny to scare the Knights right out of Camelot? Or will the ghost scare Rancid and Nanny out of their wits?
- 10. A Fishy Tale - King Marcel, from the magnificent kingdom of Avalon, is choosing a town to twin with. Camelot would be in with a chance were it not for an unfortunate halibut infestation; King Marcel has an irrational fear of.
Series 2
- 2. Decoy
- 3. The King and Irene
- 5. Sir Badabout
- 6. Five Knights and a Baby - King Arthur is turned into a baby by Nanny resulting in Sir Gadabout, Sir Prano, Sir Prise, Sir Tificate and Sir Real having to look after him. Meanwhile Elenora goes to Merlin to convince him to use magic to turn him back.
- 7. Interview with an Umpire - Sir Rancid injects cricket bats with vampire serum and unleashes them on Camelot.
- 10. Amateur Knights - Elenora's identity is at risk of being revealed when the knights put on a play on the life of Sir Knight, only for Rancid and Nanny to launch another attack. Will the truth of Sir Knight come out?
Main characters
- Sir Gadabout - The worst knight in the land. He's a good man - but clumsy, and not very bright. He's rubbish with a sword, and bravely blunders from calamity to crisis via catastrophe. He shares a rivalry with the big-headed Sir Lancelot who he often tries to get the better of. Played by Jason Thorpe.
- King ArthurKing ArthurKing Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
- The ruler of CamelotCamelotCamelot is a castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and eventually came to be described as the fantastic capital of Arthur's realm and a symbol of the Arthurian world...
. He is an eccentric king who rarely sees his two enemies Sir Rancid and Nanny coming. Nonetheless he is well-meaning and kind as he tolerates Gadabout because he feels sorry for him. He underestimates his daughter Elenora despite the fact she is more than capable of looking after herself. He is occasionally seen with a teddy bear. Played by Kim WallKim WallKim Wall is an American Actress. She is probably best known for starring in the 1988 sequel Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland.-Career:...
.
- Sir Rancid and Nanny - The enemies of King Arthur. They both live in a dark gloomy briar, in a claw shaped castle. They are a somewhat gruesome twosome who scheme and dream of Camelot’s downfall. They are a comic version of Morgana and MordredMordredMordred or Modred is a character in the Arthurian legend, known as a notorious traitor who fought King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann, where he was killed and Arthur fatally wounded. Tradition varies on his relationship to Arthur, but he is best known today as Arthur's illegitimate son by his...
in the Arthurian legand. Played by Vincent FranklinVincent FranklinVincent Franklin is an English actor best known for his roles in comedy television programmes. Recent roles included PR guru Stewart Pearson in The Thick of It and blunt manager Nick Jowitt in Twenty Twelve. He has appeared in a number of feature films including Vera Drake and the 2006 films...
and Gillian WrightGillian WrightGillian Wright, is an English actress who is best known for portraying the role of Jean Slater on the long running BBC soap opera EastEnders...
.
- Princess Elenora - Arthur's beautiful and tomboyTomboyA tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
ish daughter. Elenora wishes to be a knight herself but is underestimated by her father. Ironically she often finds herself being the one to protect her father from Rancid and Nanny. When trouble strikes, she secretly dons a mysterious silver suit of armour and appears as the enigmatic Sir Knight. Only Merlin knows that Elenora is really Sir Knight. Played by Tamsin EgertonTamsin EgertonTamsin Egerton is an English actress best known for her roles as Chelsea Parker in the 2007 film St Trinian's, Holly Goodfellow in Keeping Mum and Guinevere in the 2011 TV series Camelot.-Career:...
.
- Master Will Watford - Originally Gadabout's squaire and Elenora's best friend who dreams of becoming a knight one day. He develops a friendship with Elenora's alter-ego "Sir Knight" and frequently helps him save Arthur, Gadabout and the other knights. Elenora becomes smitten with him but is unable to tell him that it is her as the identity of "Sir Knight" is a closely guarded secret. Played by Will TheakstonWill TheakstonWilliam Theakston is an English actor who appeared in the first Harry Potter movie. He played the role of the Slytherin Quidditch seeker Terence Higgs. He attended Latymer Upper School...
.
- Juan de Frisco - Gadabout's squaire in the second series. Hailing from Spain he and Elenora at first share an initial rivalry as she misses Will. Elenora disputes everything Juan says. He greatly admires "Sir Knight" and, like Will before him, is unaware it is Elenora's alter-ego. Played by Asier Newman.
- MerlinMerlinMerlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
- The magicianMagician (fantasy)A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
of Camelot. He has sworn never to practice magic again after a terrible accident and reckoning science is safer. Merlin is obsessed by discovering the secret of man powered flight but his outlandish flying machines invariably get no further than Camelot’s moat. He has a magic ball that tells him what is going on in the kingdom. He is the only one who knows Elenora is "Sir Knight" and acts as her tutor. Played by Ian Lindsay.
- Sir Knight - The mysterious knight who turns up when trouble breaks out. The identity of Sir Knight is a closely guarded secret and no one other than Merlin is aware that s/he is actually Princess Elenora. Sir Knight has many admirers including Will and Juan. According to Merlin the previous "Sir Knight" was Elenora's late mother, GuinevereGuinevereGuinevere was the legendary queen consort of King Arthur. In tales and folklore, she was said to have had a love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot...
. The persona of Sir Knight appears to be one that has been passed down the female line of the family as in one episode the knights put on a show of Sir Knight's "life", which features Arthur's parents and it is suggested that Arthur's mother was also a "Sir Knight" too.
The Knights of the Round Table
At the beginning of every episode Arthur addresses each of his knights by name individually:- Sir Lancelot The pompous and “bravest” knight in the land, he is actually very shallow and something of a coward. He often makes fun of Gadabout although, in the end, Gadabout gets the last laugh. Played by Damien Goodwin.
- Sir Prise The Japanese foreign exchange knight who is a martial arts expert. He often jumps out of nowhere unexpectedly, scaring the other knights. Played by Don Klass.
- Sir Prano/Sir Real (Dickon TolsonDickon TolsonDickon Tolson is a British actor who started training at the Anna Scher Theatre school when he was 8 years old. He has appeared in shows such as Peak Practice and Hot Money....
) Two twin knights; Sir Prano speaks with a high-pitched voice and Sir Real often makes bizarre observations and suggestions during the knights' plans. - Sir Tificate (Joseph MawleJoseph Mawle-Biography:Mawle graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2002 in the same year he appeared in the Irish Hurling TV adverts for Guinness. He began work in the theatre prior to training at Bristol mainly for Box Clever Theatre Company and in his own production of 'Solo Hamlet'He landed his...
). - Sir Gestion (Richard JamesRichard JamesRichard Thompson James was a naval engineer. He and his wife, Betty were the inventors of the Slinky. The Slinky was invented in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Education:...
) An extremely well-spoken knight with a odd wit.