:''This article is about the reality tv series. For a general discussion of this type of house, see
country house,
manor house and
manorialism.''
'''The Edwardian Country House''' was an acclaimed
British mini-series in the
reality tv genre, produced by
Channel 4.
It was first aired in the UK in April
2002 and was later broadcast in the
U.S. on various
PBS stations in
2003 as '''Manor House''', where extra footage was added.
In the series the Olliff-Cooper family are given the
identities of turn-of-the-century
aristocrats and housed in
Manderston, an opulent Scottish country house, where they live for three months in the
Edwardian style. Mr. and Dr. Olliff-Cooper become Sir John Olliff-Cooper,
Bt, and Lady Olliff-Cooper.
Interest and conflict is provided by the 14
servants, portrayed by individuals from several walks of life. Chief among these was
Hugh Edgar, an
architect from
Surrey, who was cast in the
role of the
butler.
Participants received instruction and a set of rules by which they were expected to abide for the duration of the experiment. Most of the ‘upstairs’ participants enjoy their time in the
house, which is meant to represent the years 1905-1914. Those ‘below stairs’ have a different experience; for those in the lowest ranks, particularly the successive
scullery maids, life appears to be intolerable.
The mini-series is available for purchase on both DVD and VHS. Manderston is open to the public during the summer, and also offers accommodation to paying guests.
External links
★
The Edwardian Country House
★
Manor House
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★
Manderston