I love this show. I had heard of it before when Shobna Gulati went to "Coronation Street" to play Sunita. Her biography said that she had previously appeared in the highly-rated "dinnerladies". "dinnerladies" began broadcasting on Vision TV in Canada in June, and I was pleased to see Thelma Barlow, whom I had known as Mavis Wilton in "Coronation Street", as part of the cast also.
I have seen Julie Walters in many different roles, but Victoria Wood is totally new to me. She is wonderful as an actress, comedian, and writer. I want to find more of her work now.
The characters were well established from the beginning and develop in realistic, yet humorous, ways in each episode. This is very gentle humour with great respect for each of the characters, despite their individual foibles. Victoria Wood is terrific in the straight-man role. She is the calm centre of the canteen while all the crises of the other characters revolve around her.
It is too bad to learn that there were only 16 episodes. However, perhaps it ended before it had become repetitive or ridiculous.
This is the type of humour that the British do best. I cannot imagine an American network being able to duplicate the low-key tone, which is key to this show's appeal.
If you haven't seen it yet, look out for "dinnerladies".
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