The cast of Channel 4’s Desmond’s reunited for the 30th anniversary of the show’s first ever episode at Theatre Peckham this month.
The sell-out night brought the original cast, creator Trix Worrell and producer Paulette Randall together to read from the opening episode’s script with actors from the theatre’s Young Company.
Over 71 episodes set in Peckham Desmond’s became Channel 4’s longest-running sitcom as it followed Desmond Ambrose’s family and barbershop.
Trix said: “The evening has moved me beyond words. The inclusive remit and the strong sense of community at Theatre Peckham was there for all to see. The performance of Desmond’s by the youth theatre members blended seamlessly into the professional actors’ reading of the first ever episode.
“I saw young people, none of whom were born when it first aired, capture the spirit of the show and make it their own.”
Roy Alexander Weise directed a reading of the very first episode with a cast including Cyril Nri, Martina Laird, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Sope Dirisu, Richie Campbell, Malachi Kirby, Ria Zmitrowicz, Ayesha Antoine and Chris Tummings.
An audience Q&A followed, with Trix Worrell, original cast members Kimberly Walker, Matilda Thorpe and Lisa Geoghan and producer Paulette Randall.