The death has been announced of comedienne Victoria Wood. She had recently been diagnosed with cancer. No further details have yet been revealed.
Victoria Wood had her first break on the Esther Rantzen show – a popular Saturday night light entertainment show dealing with consumer-based stories – where she sang topical songs. She went on to have her own show, which is where she established what was to become her repertory company – a troupe of mostly women and some men who were to take the main roles in virtually all her later work. Women were at the forefront of Victoria’s TV comedy show – most notably Julie Walters, who had become friends with Victoria at university and who was to become her friend and comedy partner.
Victoria Wood’s hallmark was observational comedy – based firmly in the north of England and on the working class, particularly its women. She moved from her TV show into writing first sitcom and then more serious drama. “Dinner Ladies”, which she wrote and starred in is probably second only to Fawlty Towers in being a perfectly crafted, finite work of comedy genius. It combines everything: a plot to each episode consistent with the characters, hilarious one-lines, farce, social satire – and a reminder that no matter how much fun you are having, the powerful still rule and can knock you back at a moment.
In her later work, she had given key working class women a new lease of life, bringing hidden stories of endeavour to the small screen.
Her early death has deprived audiences of what would surely have been a final chapter of great art and popular culture.
[Adverts]