White Feathers

   Being a big fan of both comedy and period dramas/anything, literally anything, set pre-70s, I was quite excited to see that one of Channel 4's new comedy shows was set during the First World War. Despite there being no other current comedies of this nature (that I know of), it's not that unheard of for comedies to be set in the past, Dad's Army being a great example, and I expected big things. I was also interested to watch it as new writing (writers Simon Bird, Joe Thomas and Jonny Sweet all star in it also).

  Chickens, unlike Dad's Army, matches the issues of the WWI setting with modern delivery through characters that seem a mixture of Edwardian characterisation and modern-day personas. Described on Channel 4's website as 'the only men in the village, and all the women hate them. Our nation's heroes are fighting the good fight on foreign soil, but in one sleepy English village three young men remain.', the best way to describe the three main characters is in terms of TV shows set in the modern day. Simon Bird, best known for his role on The Inbetweeners as Will, plays Cecil, who could be described as Will's Edwardian counterpart and is the only one out of the three men who has volunteered to fight but can't thanks to his flat feet. In full support of the British government and the nation's efforts in France, his desperation to toe the line and constant accidental failure to do so harks back to Bird's days as the bespectacled, ingratiating sixth-former he formally played. Joe Thomas, also best known for his role on The Inbetweeners as Simon, plays George who again seems similar to his previous role. Often awkward and nervous, his characterisation is very similar to The Inbetweeners' Simon while his resilience as the only conscientious objector in their small village suggests that there should be stronger stuff underneath. His eventual compliance to beat a boy in his class highlights the paradox in the character; on the one hand he won't fight despite being told by all to do so while on the other hand he easily gives into the mothers' demands for the child to be beaten because his fiancée asked him to. Jonny Sweet as Bert completes the trio as the casanova who constantly forgets there's a war on and constantly tries to get any girl into bed with him. With witty one-liners as well as a ridiculous outlook on life, he is possibly the third of the trio from which most humour derives, without the need for the situation to be funny as well. Another note-worthy character includes the Headmaster of the local school, who suggests that the boy George should beat could be nicknamed Fatty and looks forward to beating him. He fits into stereotype of the pompous, old-fashioned Middle Class Englishman who regards conscientious objectors as equal to homosexuals and enjoys watching others in pain/uncomfortable situations. What works about the characters is that we can recognise them from our own lives and from other TV shows but we can now we can see them in a setting familiar to us as a period of history and a setting for serious dramas (such as the upcoming series of the wonderful Downton Abbey). This allows us to connect to, rather than just appreciate, the setting. Also, obviously, it's quite quirky and a breath of fresh air compared to other comedy shows made up of three boys, typically in a flat-sharing situation such as what the writers wanted to get away from.
  There is something a little Blackadder Goes Forth-esque about Chickens, if that's what you're now thinking, yes. However, while Blackadder himself highlighted some of the lunacy behind the war, so far, Chickens and the characters do not. The show does, however, show also the suffering felt on the home-front (bereavement, stigma attached to those not fighting etc) and the constant awareness of the war that we, as a modern society, are unused to (how many times did somebody say 'there's a war on' during the Iraq War?) which is poignantly summed up towards the end of the episode when the guns can be heard from across the channel.
  While it has it merits, what jars, though, is the use of modern language. While the characters are modern as are the delivery of lines (putting an interesting spin on the events that arise and the characters' reactions), it would be nice if the language could be a bit more authentic, especially with the characters of the rest of the village. Otherwise, in moments when they are not talking about the war (rare though that is), the setting and the characters don't seem to match up. However, there has only been one episode and this may change.
  On smaller points, the music is appropriate and also quite cheery, which is always nice and works for a comedy. The set is a lovely, little country village and the costumes, on the women anyway, are pretty.

  Overall, I would say that Chickens is not only something I would watch again but is good (trust me, the two are not mutually inclusive). I hope it is picked up for a series and, if so, will look forward to seeing how the series progresses, especially when conscription is introduced. I would give it four stars for being technically good and on another rating scale four for being enjoyable to watch.