Media Diary Week 1: Our Zoo

A recent program I cam across that is not in my usual genre of television program is the 6 part series - Our Zoo. It's a dramatisation of George Mottershead and his family as he returns from war and constructs the Oakfield Zoological Gardens (now known as Chester Zoo.) It tackles several themes such as loneliness, shell shock, family values, and feeling pushed out of the community.

Initially, I had visions of it being monotonous. A documentary style program of how the zoo was made. I was in fact quite pleasantly surprised to find out it was a drama of the struggle the family went through to be accepted. I found it quite emotive as several stages throughout the last few episode and makes you question modern day values of the community.

Our Zoo stars Lee Ingleby as George Mottershead, with many well known personalities, such as Anne Reid and Sophia Myles playing members of his family. The screenplay is well written making the show feel believable, and the acting can make you loose yourself in the programme. My favourite character without a doubt is June Mottershead (played by Honor Kneafsey) who's innocence makes the audience most reflective of present day life.

For example, in episode three, we see June going to school. Her unusual interest in animals (and her small height) results in the other children bullying and making fun of her - something most people can relate to. We also see her love for the animals and her caring nature for  Mortimer the Monkey and the others which makes us quite warm hearted. This makes us even more empathetic towards June as we see her caring nature.

Another key theme that is discussed is loneliness and also isolation from the community. When the Mottershead family first move to Upton, the locals provide quite a frosty welcome - another situation most people have experienced or can relate to. As the villagers realise the plans of the family, they start campaigning against them. Their methods are cruel and consist of them insulting the Mottersheads, lying to the Parish Council and even spreading lies about their plans. Even the vicar is quite spiteful and rather ungodly about their plans, which is demonstrated during the council meeting in episode three. The vicar believes that his underhand discussion with a medical expert of zoology would stop the zoo before it was even built. The expert however, remains truthful and states there is no risk to life with a zoo being built, to which the vicar halts the meeting.

One thing that could be perceived as distasteful is the exaggeration of how the family treated, and how there is little content about the construction of the zoo. I would disagree completely with this because it is the treatment of the family which provide lump-in-throat moments that tackle with the themes of the show well. It provides a clear representation of the battles that George had to go to to build the zoo which makes the program more enjoyable

June Mottershead (played by Honor Kneafsey)
with Mortimer the Monkey

There are several things that appeal to the audience. Firstly, and quite obviously are the animals. Mortimer is especially heart warming with his cheeky personal, and the wild bears and provide some amazing edge of your set moments. Next, the theme of loneliness is well tackled in the show. It provides many occasions where we can relate to isolation the family felt.

Lastly, Our Zoo makes us take a good look at ourselves. It makes us realise that just because the world is against you, keep on trying, as soon you will succeed.