Set in England during the 1890s, it's the story of Nan Astley and her conversion from innocent Whitstable mermaid to a sexually adventurous tart. Her career path begins with a period working for the family business before she becomes a dresser, then male-impersonator on the London stage, before trying her hand at prostitution and serving as a sex slave to an aristocratic dominatrix. Apart from an interesting CV, this colourful odyssey gives Nan a feeling of intoxicating independence and an appreciation of love and lust which she must ultimately draw upon when forced to decide who will be her lover and life partner.

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	Moll Flanders (David Attwood / 1996)    Victor/Victoria (Blake Edwards / 1982)   Viktor und Viktoria (Reinhold Schunzel / 1933)

Although based on Sarah Waters's immensely popular novel, Davies makes the central character feistier and removes the book's dark and dangerous edge. This represents similar territory to his adaptation of Moll Flanders - a racy romp laced with innuendo and in-jokes, an improbable, breakneck journey though sexual scandals, near misses and high jinx. It's hardly a serious scrutiny of Victorian vice and hypocrisy, but it does provide lush and rumbustious fun with a charismatic lead. As Andrew Davies noted, "…it's a universal story. Although it's about the life of a young lesbian in 1890s London, anybody who's grown up, anybody who's been in love, or anybody who's struggled to make their way in life is going to identify with Nan and go on the journey with her".

Gavin Collinson