Back in 2009, Victoria wrote a list of her favourite moments from her seminal 80s series, intending to use it as a compilation show of self-selected best bits. The list remained locked away in her personal office until now. It features familiar favourites and often overlooked gems, but as these two programmes explore, the chosen sketches serve as a prediction of what was to come in an unparalleled career that crossed just about every genre of stage and screen.
This first programme includes contributions from Russell T Davies, Ken Loach and playwright Winsome Pinnock, who dissect Victoria's groundbreaking early work, why it is still regarded as a watershed moment in British television and the impact it has had on writers since. Meanwhile, Jane Wymark and Joan Armatrading provide an insight into the private side of their friend. Rare and unseen material from Victoria's personal collection, including an early university project, rehearsal tapes, notebooks and photos, completes this examination into the work of one of Britain's most prolific artists.
This tribute continues to unveil Victoria's favourite moments and is chock-full of indelible sketches, including Shoe Shop, Two Soups and Acorn Antiques, plus matchless comic big belters At the Chippy and, of course, The Ballad of Barry and Freda aka Let's Do It. Acclaimed writers Abby Morgan and Winsome Pinnock discuss why Victoria's comedy subverted outdated preconceptions about women, ageing and other ‘unmentionables'. Ken Loach and Russell T Davies dissect Victoria's unrivalled use of language. Meanwhile, superfans celebrate a body of work that continues to resonate and inspire.
