The Choir

You might guess where this is going if, like me, you're sad enough to recognise the art style used for The Choir's logo. I shan't spoil it here, but it makes for an added laugh.

This is the tale of Leslie's attempts to fit in at a new school. It's the bullies he wants to fit in with because they rule the playground and impress the girlies. On Day One he makes contact with the bullies - they beat him up. This brings Leslie ('It's Les!') to the attention of a member of the school choir who, impressed by the screaming boy's vocal prowess, invites him to put his vocal chords in the service of the school. Les isn't impressed.

I'll leave you to find out for yourself where this story goes; suffice to say it's fun and I'd love to see this CBBC Scotland/Scottish Screen Tartan Smalls piece developed to feature length. There's a whiff of The League of Gentlemen in there, but why not? - it's not as if the boys invented, or even copyrighted, dark whimsy. Writer Murray's script is clever and funny and director Murray serves her well, with terse, economical storytelling. A nice touch is that, as in the best children's comics, you never see the teachers from shoulders up.

Fergus Nimmo acquits himself well as Leslie and will probably pop up in a Harry Potter film one of these days, if he hasn't already. Talking of which, Paul Leonard Morgan's score is a tad Harry Potter-Lite, but that's no bad thing - tinkling pianos and underscoring horns suit school shorts. A polished wee gem.