He's the curse of St Custard's prep school, as any fule no

Matt Lucas is to voice unruly pupil Nigel Molesworth in a new animated film based on the classic 1950s boarding school books.

Set at a fictional English prep school, St Custard's, the books were written by Geoffrey Willans in the guise of the schoolboy – with terrible spelling –  and illustrated by Ronald Searle.

The Little Britain star dropped into character when he said: ‘I is frilled to be hassosiated wiv such a professeshanul-looking cartoon pleas can i hav my munny now pleas?’

Director Uli Meyer told trade website Variety: ‘Ronald Searle was one of the most influential graphic artists of the 20th century, and I’m deeply honoured that before he died, he entrusted me with one of his most memorable creations. 

‘This film will bring his unique and unmistakable illustrative style to life, as only 2D animation can.’

Camilla Deakin, who is producing the film through her company Lupus Films – recently animated Judith Kerr’s children’s picture book The Tiger Who Came To Tea –  said the franchise would be ‘brought right up to date for today’s family audiences’.

‘Bridesmaids’ Comic Matt Lucas to Voice Lead in ‘Molesworth’ Feature Adaptation (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/pO65ST1PR2

— Variety (@Variety) February 4, 2020

However, the characters are firmly rooted in the 1950s, having first been introduced in 1953’s book Down With Skool! A Guide To School Life For Tiny Pupils And Their Parents. It was followed by How To Be Topp: A Guide To Sukcess For Tiny Pupils, Including All There is to Kno About Space (1954);  Whizz for Atomms: A Guide To Survival In The 20th Century For Fellow Pupils, Their Doting Maters, Pompous Paters And Any Others Who Ae Interested (1956) and Back in the Jug Agane (1959). 

Simon Brett later wrote two sequels in the 1980s from the point of view of a grown-up Molesworth.

Willie Rushton previously played Molesworth in a 1987 Radio 4 adaptation of the books.

Published: 4 Feb 2020