That Day We Sang (2014 TV Movie) User Reviews

2 very enjoyable programmes

[barbara-spencer7 · 8/10 · 13 January 2015]

I really enjoyed 'that day we sang' and 'that musical we made' the choir and orchestra were dressed so authentically that I think the whole nymphs and shepherds song should have been sung right through as it would have been a real show stopper. I loved the choir mistress in the documentary. Victoria Wood is a great poet, writer and musician and loves nostalgia and I think both programmes were excellent but I think she missed out on an important piece of Manchester music history. After all the record sold a million - unheard in those days.

loved the Berni Inn, French scene and west side story style dance. was the man with the gramophone the boys dad, and did his mum get to like music. lots of loose ends. so much packed into 2 and half hours. made my boxing day evening, easy watching and relaxing programme.

Better than expected

[beresfordjd · 8/10 · 17 January 2015]

I am watching this now - I recorded it and have put off watching it. I am a big Victoria Wood fan and did not want to be disappointed. The only other VW thing I was disappointed with was her Christmas offering which parodied Larks Rise to Candleford a couple of years ago. Most of her output verges on genius. While not her very best,That Day We Sang is very entertaining and works very well. Michael Ball is great as Tubby and Imelda Staunton plays very well against him. The smaller parts are, as usual in VW vehicles, good studies in "types". The musical numbers work well, too and her lyrics are sharp as ever. It is a period piece set in the Thirties and Sixties and is well observed and set. The young actor who plays Tubby as a child is engaging and quite a find.

Upbeat Musical with Familiar Victoria Wood Touches

[l_rawjalaurence · 7/10 · 10 September 2015]

Based on a stage musical, THAT DAY WE SANG is a piece that celebrates the city of Manchester through a parallel structure contrasting the life of young Tubby (Harvey Chaisty) growing up in 1929 with that of the older Tubby (Michael Ball), living a humdrum life four decades later. In 1929 Manchester is full of terraced houses, cozy back- streets and cramped living-rooms; when Jimmy goes for an audition to join the city choir, he does so in an oak- paneled, poorly lit school-room. Forty years later the cityscape might have changed somewhat, with functional maisonettes replacing the old terraces; but the major landmarks remain such as Piccadilly Square, a testament to the city's Victorian confidence.

In terms of plot, THAT DAY WE SANG focuses on the humdrum lives of Tubby and Enid (Imelda Staunton), both of whom have reached middle age without actively doing anything. They both work in anonymous offices, bound by routines and finding visceral pleasures where appropriate (Enid has a squalid little affair with her boss Mr. Kirkby (Daniel Rigby). The two protagonists meet, and together reminisce about the time when they were members of the choir and sang "Nymphs and Shepherds" for a gramophone recording. The memories help to stimulate their imaginations, and they look forward to a brighter future together.

The musical has plenty of what might be termed Victoria Wood touches - the lyrics often involve complicated rhymes; whenever we can hear them, we understand just what a talented artiste she is. The dialogue contains plenty of references to domestic products (hand- creams, bathroom cleaners, etc.) reminding us of just how comic brand names can be. There are also intertextual references to some of Wood's earlier hits, such as the appearance of dinner (or should it be tea) ladies wheeling their trolleys around the office building.

The songs are mostly upbeat, giving plenty of opportunity for Ball and Staunton to show off their vocal prowess. In truth, however, the most memorable number is a specialty piece set in a Berni Inn - a long-forgotten chain of steakhouses, all red plush and prawn cocktails. Enid and Tubby are taken to dinner there by their social climbing neighbors Frank (Confeth Hill) and Dorothy (Sophie Thompson), who take the opportunity to show off their social advantages, accompanied by a bevy of dancing servers. The number is extremely funny with an unexpected dénouement.

THAT DAY WE SANG may be slight, but its sheer joyousness and the zest of the performances render it a piece of memorable entertainment.

Best thing on TV this year

[Frankie51 · 10/10 · 29 December 2014]

I could not disagree more with the previous two reviews of this film. I thought 'That day we sang' was perfect viewing for the festive season. Granted the story was not as detailed as it could have been but considering the time constraints placed on it, I felt the plot moved along very smoothly. I thought that the musical numbers were both catchy and touching.Victoria Woods eye for detail and her wit are what sets her writing apart from anyone else.I have been humming 'If life were movies' ever since boxing day.

The wonderful cast made the most of the gift they had been given. Especially Imelda Staunton(from whom you wouldn't expect anything less)Harvey Chaisty and Michael Ball who's wonderful performances together, made Tubby the endearing,lovely, believable character he was. It was also great to see a film where the cast are singing live and not being dubbed over, as it made the whole thing all the more real.

Bravo to all involved

Warmly charming and witty

[drruthlee · 10/10 · 2 January 2015]

A week on from watching this I find myself absentmindedly humming a couple of the tunes from the show - "If Life were movies" is one , I cant identify the other but this goes to show how memorable it was. I loved the witty use of rhyme and ideas - who'd have thought of using "Swarfega" in a song about being a bit of a mouse called Enid? and as for "cake in drag" . . . just such fun! The romance plot is utterly charming and as intended very much hopeful. I quite like the idea of being a bit stuck in the 50s - so cozy. The character development through the plot was joyful to watch. Loved the music; tunes I can hum now and really effective orchestrations of some of the background music underpinned mood and plot superbly.

As the other reviewer said this was just delightful festive viewing;the whole embedded in beautiful nostalgia wrought of true empathy for the period and subject. I was transported to the Berni Inn I had my 18th Birthday (coming of age) dinner at. Hilarious ! I hope it comes out on DVD as , like "Housewife 49" I will enjoy watching this again. Probably try and get hold of the book written about the 1929 story by a choir member as an additional aspect - really didn't need the '29 story examining or analyzing in this musical. Its focus in perfect.

A wonderful little film by Victoria Wood

[wendmailbox-wend · 10/10 · 14 June 2016]

What a wonderful little film I hope that this is played every Christmas on television. It is so heart-warming and spirit lifting. What can you say about Victoria Wood, a true national treasure and so sad that there will be no more new material. So we all should rejoice in the work she left us. Some say this is not a true musical, well it's not, it is a piece in Victoria's own inimitable style. It is simplistic, funny and very enjoyable, one which as you watch it, you know it's a Victoria Wood masterpiece. For anyone who watches on DVD I recommend the documentary presented by Victoria which fills in the background to the film. A film to honour those who made the recording and to highlight middle age second chance love. Thank you Victoria, may you rest in peace.

90 minutes of pure joy

[mrswenn · 10/10 · 31 October 2020]

It has Victoria Wood all over it, just pure, wholesome and joyful as well as clever and relatable. Victoria Wood was a genius with her use of language and her skill at writing both music and lyrics, I cannot recommend this highly enough

That Day We Sang

[studioAT · 10/10 · 28 June 2020]

Warm and witty, just as we'd expect from Victoria Wood's writing, this is an underseen joy.

Wonderful stuff, perfect for the post Christmas slot it was given when it first aired.

How we miss Victoria Wood.

That Day We Sang

[jboothmillard · 5/10 · 18 January 2015]

I saw this TV made film that would be on at Christmas talked about on The Graham Norton Show, I had not seen much of the written or directed work of Victoria Wood before, so I was interested to try this film based on her stage musical. Basically set in 1969, a televised reunion for the choir who made a record of 'Nymphs and Shepherds, Come Away' as children thirty years ago is taking place at the Manchester Free Trade hall, and insurance salesman Jimmy 'Tubby' Baker (Michael Ball) and secretary Enid (Imelda Staunton) are among those meeting. Snobbish organiser Frank (Conleth Hill) and his wife try to impress Tubby and Enid by taking them to the Berni Inn, they react against them and are drawn together, he wants to date her, but she is having an affair with her married boss believing he will leave his wife for her. Tubby recalls his childhood, as Young Jimmy (Harvey Chaisty) his singing in the choir was disapproved by his widowed mother, he was only able to take part because of Bible-quoting Great War veteran, crippled Mr Kirkby (Big School's Daniel Rigby) and assistant to choir mistress Gertrude Riall (Dorothy Atkinson). Tubby has recently read the words of his younger self's book, where he was more bold, he now believes he should take a leaf out of this and be more determined, to convince Enid that her lover will never leave his wife for her and that they are made for each other, years after that day when they sang, and in the end they do finally embrace, in song and with a loving kiss. Also starring Sophie Thompson as Dorothy, Jessica Gunning as Pauline, Lyndsey Marshal as Sal, Malcolm Sinclair as Sir Hamilton Harty, Dad's Army's Ian Lavender as Commissionaire and Jessica Casby as Young Enid. Ball being a stage actor manages is a natural for the leading role singing his way and being a nice man, Staunton who I know has been in musicals like Sweeney Todd also does well singing her way through and being likable, I admit the story is a little slow in places, especially the build up to the romance, but the songs help it flow, and it is charming enough to enjoy, not a bad musical comedy. Worth watching!

A little gem

[peterjluff · 9/10 · 11 March 2024]

OK, it's not great cinema and it has a deeply predictable (a sometimes rather awkward) plot, but it is unpretentious, charming, optimistic and uplifting. Sink into its warm embrace and enjoy it for what it is - a small but well-crafted film that will bring a smile to all but the most cynical of viewers. Imelda Staunton shows once again what a fine all-round performer she is, but it goes to Ian lavender, in a lovely cameo, to provide the one surprising moment of real emotional impact. The idea that love will find a way is a well-worn theme which is reworked here to really pleasing effect. Yes there are cliches of both writing and direction, but they are cliches because film makers have found they work. A hugely enjoyable 85 minutes.

It would have been better without music

[johnmcc150 · 5/10 · 27 December 2014]

Victoria Wood has written some brilliant plays but she missed with this one. There was a good idea to create a story about the Manchester Schools Choir and their 1929 recording of Purcell's 'Nymphs and Shepherds', but turning it into a musical wasn't. The first requirement of a good musical is good music. Unfortunately this used the same tunes that every failed musical has used since time immemorial. The lack of music might also have shown up that there was just too much sentimentality. I hope that this effort doesn't put off Victoria writing again, but please play it straight next time. She is good at creating authentic characters and authentic dialogue in locations and situations that she understands.

Song of the north

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 26 December 2014]

That Day We Sang was originally devised as stage play for the Manchester International Festival. Victoria Wood has adapted her play for the small screen as writer and director.

The film is set in Manchester in 1969. Imelda Staunton plays Enid, a secretary who is having an affair with her boss. Michael Ball is Tubby, an insurance salesman. Deep down they are two lonely middle aged people who once sang in a children's choir forty years earlier and have reunited for a Granada television special.

The film is peppered with songs, a few undoubtedly containing Victoria Wood's witticisms. There is even a Busby Berkeley type musical song and dance number.

It is deep down a schmaltzy love story, it just felt dull and the songs boring. Victoria Wood fans will lap it up, but despite the charms of the two leads this play never took off as far as I am concerned. Its not well written, not enough about the 1929 storyline, people obsessed about weight and Enid only realises at the end who Tubby is that looked shoddy. I think there is also the problem with Wood's directing. She should not had directed this for television and left it to someone more experienced.

Sounded Promising

[lillightjc-85500 · 1/10 · 2 September 2023]

Hugely disappointing! Such a promising cast but lacked the pure joy that far better musicals, such as, "Sunshine on Leith" or "Fisherman's Friends " & "Fisherman's Friends 2: One and All" have. If it had just stayed classy and didn't deteriorate into rudeness, it could have been a lovely uplifting, 'feel good' movie that everyone needs these days and of which there are far too few. Watched for a while, in the hope it would pick up but it just deteriorated into a disappointing third rate show. Eventually gave up on it regretting I'd wasted my time. The fact that it has been described as beautiful, gentle and having culture couldn't be more inaccurate. So disappointing.