The Drowning of Arthur Braxton

When an awkward, heavily bullied schoolboy from a dysfunctional home discovers a beautiful water nymph hiding in an abandoned Edwardian bathhouse, he must confront his own personal demons in order to save them both from the depraved custodian who keeps the enchanted waters alive with the ritual sacrifice of children.

James Tarpey is quite good as the eponymous young man in this slightly super-natural drama. Bullied at school and largely ignored by his dipsomaniac dad (Johnny Vegas) at home, he seeks solace (and safety) in a disused public swimming baths. It is here that he encounters the young "Laurel" (Sophie Wright) and "Delphina" (Rebecca Hanssen). Neither girl will ever get out of the water nor can he get in! As he becomes a regular visitor, he gradually falls for "Delphina" but is all as it seems? Malcolm Freeman's "Mr. Silver" is also a regular at the pool, but what is he doing there - and what hold has he over the swimmers? Vegas is also good as the negligent father and as the story gently unfolds, it has a simplicity - young love - to it. The ending isn't maybe the best, the story does tend to dart about a bit, but it cannot have had much of a budget and Luke Cutforth manages to develop just enough of the characterisations to keep it interesting. Maybe "Arthur" ought to have invested in a pair of Speedos?