By-TorX-1

Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators is an immensely likable show built on two immensely likable characters: Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway, as said private investigators. Jo Joyner and Mark Benton have great onscreen chemistry, and who are ably supported by Patrick Walshe McBride's Sebastian, their office assistant, whose RADA-trained acting background sees him don a myriad of disguises to help in the investigations. The investigations are always fun and given that they are private investigators, this means that their involvements in murders each week have a logic (whereas in shows like Rosemary and Thyme, the relentless number of horticulturally related homicides that they stumble into as part of their gardening gigs does strain credulity). Add tense interactions with Hathaway's ex-police colleagues (one of whom displays constant hostility and rejection, even though Shakespeare and Hathaway solve all of their cases!). So, the show is enjoyable, and the Stratford-on-Avon setting provides a plethora of lovely Elizabethan houses and Shakespeare references galore, and even Vic Reeves makes an appearance, so what more could you want?