A J Wentworth, BA

infobox television
show_name = A J Wentworth, BA


caption =
genre = Sitcom
runtime = 30 minutes
creator = H F Ellis
starring = Arthur Lowe
Marion Mathie
Harry Andrews
Ronnie Stevens
Michael Bevis
Deddie Davis
country = United Kingdom
network = ITV
production company = Thames Television
first_aired = 12 July
last_aired = 16 August 1982
num_episodes = 6
imdb_id = 0162063

"A J Wentworth, BA" is a British sitcom that aired on ITV in 1982. Set in the 1940s, the programme was shown posthumously following the death of its lead actor Arthur Lowe, who died on 15 April 1982. Based on the writings of H. F. Ellis, "A J Wentworth, BA" was written by Basil Boothroyd. It was made for the ITV network by Thames Television.

Cast

*Arthur Lowe - Arthur James Wentworth, BA
*Harry Andrews - The Rev. R Gregory Saunders
*Marion Mathie - Matron
*Deddie Davis - Miss Coombes
*Ronnie Stevens - Rawlinson
*Michael Bevis - Gilbert
*Marcus Evans - Mason
*Alistair Callender - Anderson
*Stephen Rooney - Atkins
*Andrew McDonnell - Etheridge
*Michael Underwood - Hillman
*Paul Hawkins - Hopgood II
*Simon Curry - Otterway
*Halil Halil - Sapoulos
*Benjamin Taylor - Trench

Background

"A J Wentworth, BA" was adapted from the writings of H. F. Ellis, which first appeared in "Punch". They were later published in two books, "The Papers of A J Wentworth, BA" and "The Papers of A J Wentworth, BA (Ret'd)", that were first published in 1949 and 1962 respectively. Arthur Lowe had also read out selections from the books in the daily literacy slot of "Woman's Hour". A piece from "A J Wentworth, BA" was read out by Harry Andrews, who played the headmaster, at Arthur Lowe's memorial service.

Plot

Set in the 1940s, "A J Wentworth, BA" is set at Burgrove, a boys' preparatory school in Wilminister, in rural England. A J Wentworth is the mathematics master who is very fond of the school but inefficient at disciplining his pupils. Therefore his kind nature is taken advantage of the boys. The headmaster, the Rev Saunders, who is nicknamed 'Squid' by the boys, is a snob and the Matron is Wentworth's constant enemy.

Episodes

#"A Day in the Life of..." (12 July 1982)
#"Mud Larks" (19 July 1982)
#"Problems, Problems" (26 July 1982)
#"IIIA Goes to War" (2 August 1982)
#"Founder's Day" (9 August 1982)
#"The Outsider" (16 August 1982)

References

*Mark Lewisohn, "Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy", BBC Worldwide Ltd, 2003
* [http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/ajw/index.html "A J Wentworth, BA"] at British TV Comedy