We were loaned a DVD of the first series of Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby by one of Hubby’s work colleagues. It is a comedy television series produced in New Zealand, about an eccentric relief teacher (Mr Gormsby) at a boys school.
I found it mostly funny, although it is shocking in parts – in fact it almost crosses the line of decency (but consider the setting – a boys school). Production on the low budget side, but manages to redeem itself through satire of the ridiculous extremes and hypocrisy of politically correct liberalism.
Aggressively behind the times with a militaristic style that appalls the teaching staff, Gormsby is denied his preferred traditional disciplinary measures of the cane and detention. Advised by other teachers to just “put up with” bad behaviour, Gormsby instead relies on shock tactics to keep the rowdy students in line.
..in the first episode a student does a chalkboard cartoon accompanied by the legend Gormsby takes it up the arse. To track down the guilty party Gormsby threatens a shy, clearly innocent pupil with an unusual punishment, or, as one of his classmates reports to the principal, Mr Gormsby is trying to bum Bastabus When the true culprit is revealed the weeping, traumatised boy is gently sent on his way with, Sit down, Bastabus. I wasn’t going to roger you. This isn’t a Catholic school. – Little Mister Square Eyes
Gormsby eventually wins over the class of 5F at Tepapawai Boys School with his unique mixture of dry wit, complete disregard for liberal convention and his blunt, unaffected approach. Gormsby’s brand of discipline has a positive influence on the students. In fact, they soon behave with much greater decorum than Gormsby’s colleagues, which rather beggars belief. Those students are just too good to be true!
A second series has screened in NZ but does not seem to have been released yet on DVD.
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