匚卂尺ㄥ reviewedFebruary 14, 2025
the death of Victoria Wood in 2016, its still makes me angry that such a warm comic genius was taken from us so soon. She had been a regular on British TV since the 1980's and stood out straightaway being a female stand-up comic in a men-dominated entertainment niche.
Although she was responsible for many comedies and dramas I think 'Dinnerladies' is her finest hour. Surrounded by some of her regular colleagues (Julie Walters, Celia Imrie and Duncan Preston), she wrote and starred in 16 half-hour episodes all included here. Set in just two rooms of a very authentic looking northern factory canteen, we are treated to delightful and occasionally side-splitting observational comedy, based around the characters follies and foibles that stay just the right side of ridicule.
I can't say that every episode is hilarious and Julie Walters appearances cast as Bren's unlikely mother started to grate after a while. In the main though this series is amongst the best of British TV comedy you will ever see. Part of the reason for this is blend of humour and tragedy the characters experience. Watching Victoria Wood herself you get glimpses of sadness behind the mask of a clown.
I'm pretty sure Victoria Wood is currently in some nirvana reserved for our most beloved comedians, alongside the likes of Peter Sellers, Tommy Cooper and Morecambe and Wise.