I don't quite know how I stumbled across Ever Decreasing Circles again, over twenty years since it was made. But having rediscovered this sitcom, I have watched several episodes and frequently find myself rolling around in laughter at Richard Briers' character Martin Bryce."Ever Decreasing Circles" deals with the relationships between Martin, an an obsessive, neurotic control freak, his lovely wife Ann (Penelope Wilton) and neighbour Paul (Peter Egan). The humour mainly derives from Martin's laboured, heavy-handed attempts to organise everything from bingo games for old ladies through to football matches for 11-year olds. Up in the box-room of his house Brooksmead, Martin has reams and reams of paperwork detailing all the numerous committees and teams that he manages, plus his beloved duplicating machine.In contrast, neighbour Paul has effortless charm, he has friends left, right and centre that he can call on to do favours for him, and he is better at everything than Martin. This leads to a brilliant comedy of frustration, jealousy and bitterness as Martin finds himself thwarted and humiliated by Paul at every turn. Paul never really intends to demean Martin, the frustration normally stems from Martin's own ridiculous attempts to try and get the upper hand.One example, from many: Martin is organising a dance. His most loyal friend Howard comes up with the bright idea of a Vicars & Tarts theme, Martin is impressed and enthusiastic until he finds out the idea actually came from Paul. At every step of the way in the planning, from the catering to the band, something goes wrong with Martin's attempts to organise it, with Paul eventually having to phone up his mates to help resolve each problem.But Martin thinks he has the last laugh. His wife Ann realises he is up to something because he is unnaturally gracious to Paul after the dance. Martin boasts to her that the editor of the local newspaper will mention Martin's name 18 times in the write-up of the dance, whereas Paul's name will only be mentioned once, and misspelt at that. Ann asks why a reporter would agree to do something like that, to which Martin replies with glee: "I blackmailed him!" The reporter's son plays for the football team Martin coaches, and if he doesn't write up the story to Martin's satisfaction then he will drop his son from the team.I didn't really do the above plot justice, you have to see the episode "Vicars & Tarts" to really appreciate how funny it is! There are also some utterly hilarious scenes where Martin kicks his bed in an angry fit of class-envy about how easy it is for some people in life (ie Paul).Despite the middle-of-the-road suburban setting, there are very subtle hints of a more subversive, satirical nature to "Ever Decreasing Circles". Martin is hellbent on keeping "his" Close a pleasant place to live, but the bureaucratic way he tries to enforce his rules, plus his self-proclaimed role as leader of the Close, does seem like a gentle prod at a certain kind of authoritarian attitude. In one episode Martin even wonders aloud if maybe a benign dictatorship is the best way to achieve things. By contrast, Paul represents an upper class, slightly untrustworthy, playboy type.In fact, dour Martin Bryce could almost be Gordon Brown, whereas Tony Blair is more like slippery charmer Paul. One imagines similar bad-neighbourly exchanges occurred in Downing Street several times throughout the 90s!

What makes Ever Decreasing Circles so charming and fascinating ? Basically, it's the old world values of love and fidelity.Martin, fastidiously played by Richard Briars, is a man struggling against his own mediocrity. We can all recognise his situation and the men whose lives mirror his, he tries so hard at everything but his best is never quite good enough, while the charmer Paul, oily played by Peter Egan, achieves everything with effortless ease.It's a play and a counter-play of a man who struggles through life compared to a man who is gifted by nature.What redeems Martin from a lifetime of ennui is that he is married to Anne, played by the simply gorgeous Penelope Wilton. Would be Hollywood actresses should note that Penelope Wilton manages to convey as much sex appeal through a smile as do many talentless actresses through heaving bosoms.Anne is the rose in Martin's life and we are left with the feeling that Martin wakes up everyday thanking God for giving him such a wife.What gives the show its appeal is that although Anne is undoubtedly attracted by Paul and his charm , she remains loyal to Martin.Ever Decreasing Circles tells us that there is still a place for Fidelity in married life and the World.

Martin Bryce is a man going in ever decreasing circles. His long suffering wife Ann loves Martin, but he drives her mad most of the time, particularly when he takes his obsessive behaviour to extremes (such as oiling the bed in the middle of the night because it squeaks!) Martin runs all the clubs and activities in the local area (of which there are many). Then Paul Ryeman moves in next door to Ann and Martin and is instantly popular. He is likable and easy going, everything Martin is not, except that he, like Martin, is a leader rather than a follower. Many of the residents (most of which are rather pathetic) now see Paul as their guiding light. This drives Martin mad and he soon develops a strong dislike to Paul which, though mellows, never entirely goes away.Paul does become quite fond of Martin and gets on very well with Ann. They have a similar outlook and sense of humour and Paul helps Ann cope with life amongst the narrow minded bores of the Close. If Martin had the courage to step outside his comfort zone he would see these people for what they are, but he loves being the leader and feeling that he's important. He also loves organising. His day job (he works in valves) doesn't motivate him, but he devotes most of his spare time to organising the activities of his societies. He has a box room with lots of cubby holes packed with paperwork. He is never happier then when in this room busily at work. Although he loves Ann he often puts organising committees above spending time with her in his list of priorities.Although there is an attraction between Ann and Paul, they never get together because Ann loves Martin. In the final episode Martin discovers Ann is pregnant, and with his valve company moving to Shropshire, he makes the painful decision to move away from his beloved Close. As they are saying goodbye Ann suggests to Paul (who was married before) that he should get married again. Paul says he would if he could find someone like her. His true feelings are revealed.The standard of acting in the show is very high. Richard Briers is in top form and produces a great comic and tragic performance as Martin. Penelope Wilton is brilliant as Ann. On paper it would appear that there would be nothing keeping Martin and Ann together, but the way Richard and Penelope play the parts the love between their two characters is clear to see. Peter Egan is perfectly cast as Paul and Stanley Lebor and Geraldine Newman are very amusing as Martin's reliable but rather pathetic neighbours Howard and Hilda. This sitcom ran for four series, plus a feature length finale, and the standard remained high throughout.

Very popular on first airing (1984 ish) but now fairly unheard of and rarely repeated on UK terestrial television. Great Sit-com, not a huge classic but very watchable, especially for the ridiculously smooth Peter Egan and wound too tight Richard Briers.