Wednesday 12 July 2023

Babs (2017 Dominic Leclerc, writer Tony Jordan)

1993, an empty stage on a pier. With the help of the ghost of her father, Nick Moran, Barbara Windsor / Samantha Spiro looks back over her life, some in straight flashback, i.e. involving her childhood self Honor Kneafsey, but at other times using the stage / backstage artfully to weave in the various stories. Which involve first husband Ronnie Knight (Luke Allen-Gale), the Krays; and Zoe Wanamaker as Joan Littlewood and the success of Barbara in her musical 'Fings Ain't What They User T'Be' and the film version of Sparrows Can't Sing (and, I didn't realise Barbara was on Broadway in her production of 'Oh What a Lovely War', for which she was Tony nominated). This version of her is played with gusto by Jamie Winstone, and her meeting with Kenneth Williams (Robin Sebastian) is funny.


With the odd aside from the real Ms. Windsor, who in 1994 had a career revival (most would agree) with Eastenders.

Alex Macqueen is the agent.

DP Tim Palmer, editor Helen Chapman. A BBC Film.

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