Series
The series is set in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Most episodes appear to take place in real time and all action takes place within the Royles' home. (The passage of time as indicated by the changing programmes on the Royles' TV sometimes suggests that the action has been compressed.)
Unlike most sitcoms the show is filmed in 16mm film using the single camera production style. (Most UK sitcoms are shot on videotape using the multiple camera production style.) This and the absence of an audience or a laugh track gives the show a look and feel different from other sitcoms of the era.
The one-off specials take a more traditional sitcom structure, though many scenes still run longer than standard in line with the 'real time' nature of the original series. The 2006 special episode "The Queen Of Sheba" was partly set in a hospital. Its narrative moves forward in time in a more typical manner. 2008's Christmas special, "The New Sofa", is set over two days. In it the characters spend Christmas Eve in Royle household in the traditional manner (in front of the television), followed by Christmas Day at Dave and Denise's. Much of the 2009 Christmas special takes place in a caravan at a holiday park. It also features intermediate scenes of Dave driving Twiggy's car there.
The show's theme tune is "Half the World Away" by Oasis, which can be found on the "Whatever" single, the B-side compilation The Masterplan and finally the "Greatest Hits" album titled Stop The Clocks.
Read more about this topic: The Royle Family
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