Lizzie Dripping, The Complete Series

Lizzie Dripping, The Complete Series, is a whimsical and enchanting British children's television drama created by renowned author Helen Cresswell and produced by the BBC. Originally aired on BBC1 in 1969, the series offers a sometimes dream-like, sometimes sharply realistic portrayal of a young girl's world, blending the mundane and the magical into a captivating narrative that still resonates with audiences today.

The story centres around Penelope Arbuckle, nicknamed "Lizzie Dripping" by her elders, due to her propensity for daydreaming and spinning tall tales. Lizzie, superbly brought to life by child-actor Tina Heath, lives in a quaint, old-fashioned rural village, a place where everyone knows everyone, and life feels as safe and predictable as the seasons. With her curious, imaginative nature and a special talent for telling stories, Lizzie often teeters on the fringe of reality and fantasy, proving herself to be an enchanting, if somewhat misunderstood, character in her quiet hamlet.

Lizzie’s adventures commence when she meets a real - or maybe not so real - witch (played by Sonia Dresdel) in the churchyard. To everyone else, the witch is simply another figment of Lizzie's animated imagination, but to Lizzie, she is very much alive and real, becoming both her confidante and co-conspirator. The witch doesn't grant wishes or cast spells. Instead, her main role in the series is as an outlet for Lizzie's creative storytelling, a vehicle for her tales that range from playful fabrications to sophisticated plots exploring profound, existential concepts.

Locally shot in rural Worcestershire, the series’ setting cultivates a potent sense of nostalgia, with its depiction of a simpler time, immersed in a pastoral England rarely seen on modern screens. Intricately interwoven with this is the multi-layered narrative, which navigates through familiar territory of home, school, and village life, while confidently delving into topics of fantasy, imagination, and the boundaries between truth and illusion. The sensitivity with which it explores the inner world of a child’s mind, the very real messiness of her everyday life, and the captivating blend of reality and fantasy that defines her perception of the world makes Lizzie Dripping unforgettable.

What gives Lizzie Dripping, The Complete Series, its enduring charm is not just the quality of Cresswell's perceptive and tender storytelling but also the authenticity of its cast. Tina Heath brilliantly embodies the eccentric, imaginative Lizzie whose wide-eyed innocence and quick wit infuse every scene with a robust sense of wonder and curiosity. Sonia Dresdel as the enigmatic witch complements Heath’s performance beautifully, bringing a touch of the extraordinary to Lizzie's otherwise mundane world. The supporting cast, consisting of Lizzie's folksy, loving grandmother (Peggy Thorpe-Bates), bemused parents (Geoffrey Matthews and Barbara Mitchell), and a variety of richly-drawn village characters, contribute vibrant splashes of colour and texture to this quaint portrait of rural life.

A significant aspect of the series is its unique soundscape, with original music penned by BBC's Johnny Pearson, whose work amplifies the series' enchantment and elevates the on-screen narrative. Melding comforting, homely tunes with the eerie, whimsical resonances apt for a bewitching fable, Pearson's score forms an integral part of the unique aesthetic appeal of Lizzie Dripping.

Overall, Lizzie Dripping, The Complete Series, is warm, magical, and evocative. Its protagonist, the dreamy and inventive Lizzie, is an inspiring embodiment of the power and nuances of childlike imagination. With its potent blend of realistic depiction of countryside life and fantastical elements, the series effortlessly celebrates the joys, tensions, mysteries, and possibilities of childhood, providing a captivating viewing experience for children and adults alike.