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Wah-Wah

Coming-of-age drama set at the end of British rule over Swaziland in the 1960s. A teenage boy prepares for life as an adult. Starring Nicholas Hoult and Gabriel Byrne.

Actor and author Richard E. Grant made his directorial debut with this period comedy drama inspired by his own experiences growing up in colonial Africa in the sixties. Ralph is the 11-year old son of Harry Compton, the minister of education in the British-controlled African nation of Swaziland. While Harry is a likeable and well-connected man, his marriage to Lauren is on shaky ground, and when he learns she's been having an affair with one of his best friends, she leaves him and he begins drinking heavily. Ralph is sent to boarding school and when he returns things have changed.

1 hour, 40 minutes

Last on

Thu 27 Jun 201300:40
BBC One Wales HD, Northern Ireland HD, Northern Ireland & Wales only

Credits

Harry ComptonGabriel Byrne
DirectorRichard E Grant
Lauren ComptonMiranda Richardson
Ralph ComptonNicholas Hoult
Ruby ComptonEmily Watson
GwenJulie Walters
Lady HardwickCelia Imrie
VernonSid Mitchell
Young RalphZac Fox
ProducerJeff Abberley
ProducerPierre Kubel
WriterRichard E Grant

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Oct 200923:20
    BBC Two England & Wales only
  • Sun 18 Oct 200923:50
    BBC Two Northern Ireland
  • Mon 19 Oct 200900:20
    BBC Two Scotland
  • Mon 2 May 201100:05
    BBC One except Northern Ireland & Scotland
  • Mon 2 May 201100:15
    BBC One Scotland
  • Thu 27 Jun 201300:10
    BBC One except Northern Ireland & Wales
  • Thu 27 Jun 201300:40
    BBC One Wales HD, Northern Ireland HD, Northern Ireland & Wales only