Two Doors Down

Two Doors Down was a one-off comedy drama centred around a Hogmanay party in a lower-middle-class Scottish cul-de-sac, which highlighted the many dangers of mixing alcohol and neighbours.

There was absolutely nothing new about the set-up or surprising about how the story developed, but the first-rate cast delivered some excellent dialogue, there were several memorable slapstick moments and you were left with the distinct impression that writer Simon Carlyle held his assortment of borderline-grotesque characters in great affection.

Two Doors Down (BBC One) brings New Year to Scotland. Hogmanay then. The Bairds, Eric and Beth, are having a few people over: son Ian, Ian's partner Tony, not-gay darling soldier son Angus (though he hasn't arrived yet), Beth's man-eating sister Caroline. Plus a few people from the neighbourhood - a dull aspirational (snobby) couple, a pair of Norwegians, a few teenagers.

There's something of the feel of a Radio 4 play transferred to television about it. And at times it follows a path too obvious. So gay Tony asks for pear cider, which obviously Eric doesn't have. And the Norwegian woman is earnest and worthy and has a moan to Beth that she's not doing her recycling right. And all the Scots drink a lot and don't really know anything about Norway, like where it is or how it's different from Sweden.

But there are some cracking performances - from Arabella Weir, Alex Norton, Daniela Nardini (Caroline, of course) and more. And some lovely observations. Anyone with a family, or neighbours, will recognise just about everyone here. I especially like Colin (Jonathan Watson), the tedious know-it-all who knows it all about cars and malt whisky and everything else as well as the best way to get from A to B on the A this or the B that or whatever. There's a Colin in everyone's lives, and most people's Christmases or New Years, no?

As the evening goes on, and the booze goes down, guards fall away, old prejudices and secrets, truths and bitternesses start to creep out. Tomorrow's steak pie is eaten today, and the gazebo is trashed. By the time the bells go, and Angus eventually shows up, it's a glorious hell. At least as ghastly as it was 500 years ago. Happy new year.

Cause for celebration with a riotous comedy

A bit like a warmer, more Scottish take on the BBC's classic play for television, Abigail's Party, Two Doors Down traced the progress of party-goers from awkward chit-chat to drunken bad behavior.

Two Doors Down review

The production had the feel of a stage play, and lots of the lines had been polished to a high shine. One of the funniest was nouveau riche Colin's braggery about the £12 dram of single malt whisky he had sampled: 'Peaty but not too peaty, smoky but not too smoky - perfect with a dash of Diet Coke.'

Simon Carlyle - comedy writer's star keeps rising

The idea of writing an Abigail's Party-like comedy set at New Year in Scotland sounds as inviting as your granny's soup, steak pie and black bun. And writer Simon Carlyle was perfectly placed to come up with the BBC drama, Two Doors Down.

Staying in on New Year's Eve when you'd rather be out? Comfort comes in the form of Simon Carlyle's one-off comedy, which demonstrates that Hogmanay parties aren't all prawn rings, soft light and witty banter. Alex Norton and Arabella Weir star as hosts Eric and Beth, who are hoping that their son Angus, serving in Iraq, will be home in time for a slice of Beth's legendary steak pie.

Their guests are friends and neighbours who wouldn't be an obvious social fit: Beth's sister Caroline (Daniela Nardini) is unpredictable, and teenager Sophie (Sharon Rooney) has been left at home by her parents. There's also a pair each of snobs and Norwegians, ill-suited in their own ways to traditional Scottish revelry. Will they all make it through to the bells?

BBC ponder six part series of Two Doors Down

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Arabella Weir: I dread the countdown to midnight

The star of BBC's Two Doors Down wonders why so much fuss is made about New Year's Eve.