Fables of Forgotten Things is a 16 minute TV short starring Paul McGann and James Bird. Created by Simon Allen (who we interviewed) and directed by Toby Meakins. Fables told Clarence’s story. A mysterious drifter who kept waking up in different places. Intended as a love letter to shows such as Box of Delights and The Phoenix and the Carpet. Fables was an intriguing concept that I feel deserves to be revisited. Read on for why.
Children’s fantasy
Britain and Ireland have a grand history of excellent children’s fantasy from George McDonald to J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis; through Diana Wynne Jones and Sir Terry Pratchett up to contemporary authors like Patrick Ness. Nobody does fantasy for children quite like we do in the UK and Ireland. A Fables reboot could be aimed at kids who are into things like Harry Potter. And compliment Doctor Who in like vein to The Sarah Jane Adventures and Wizards vs Aliens. There is an absolute wealth of British and Irish writing talent who could contribute to the show. I’m thinking of Katherine Rundell, Elle McNicoll and John Connolly , whose novel The Book of Lost Things inspired Hayao Miyazaki’s award winning film The Boy and the Heron.
Casting call
The million dollar question is who could play Clarence? It would have to be someone who could be authoritative yet kind. Similar to the Doctor from Doctor Who. Paul McGann is the obvious choice. His Clarence was mysterious, brave and gentle. Given McGann’s recent stellar turn in the Big Finish live stage performance The Stuff of Legend (which we reviewed). The time could be right for him to lead a Fables reboot. Alternatively, the BBC could cast Ben Whishaw. Whose Paddington role proves he can act for children. Maybe Rory Kinnear could also possibly play Clarence? He is charismatic enough and has that hint of otherworldliness in his performance. Over and above that, they could bring in Alan Cumming to play the role. Who was once offered the title role in Doctor Who.
Storylines
In the Fables original short. Clarence and Danny had to help an old lady (Muriel Barker) regain her stolen memories. Which had been drained by Eldritch (Louise Dumayne and Anthony Wise) the short’s villain. It’s possible that Clarence could awaken in different time periods on different continents. Where Eldritch is sapping belief in the local cryptids such as the Yeti and the Wendigo. Could it be that Eldritch can steal people’s emotions as well as their memories? Making them mentally distressed or susceptible to extreme ideologies? Moreover, Eldritch might also be a reality warper or a perception distorter. In likeness to Who villains the Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris) and the Dream Lord (Toby Jones). Writers for the show could do a lot with these ideas. I’d say Peter Serafinowicz or Ruth Wilson would be good as Eldritch. Unless Wise reprises his brilliantly creepy role.
In conclusion
Fables of Forgotten Things is a wonderfully entertaining short. It mystifies me that a show was never made from it. I’m a Paul McGann fan as he was my first Doctor. And I’d love to see him lead a Fables reboot. With the world the way it is, maybe we need to be reminded that there is magic and adventure to be found. If we look for it. Here’s hoping we see Fables of Forgotten Things on our screens again sooner rather than later.
