The BBC have produced some incredible biopic dramas in the past. The brilliant telling of the get-together of Britain's greatest double act 'Eric & Ernie', 'Fantabulosa' which was based on the diaries of entertainer Kenneth Williams, the superb portrayal by Ruth Jones of 'Carry On
' favourite Hattie Jacques in 'Hattie' and of course the story another comedy great, Frankie Howerd in 'Rather You Than Me'. I have to say though, they have excelled themselves with this recently screened drama on the life of another 'Carry On
.' regular, and much-loved actress Barbara Windsor in 'Babs'. Beginning in the '90s we see Barbara in her end-of-the-pier dressing room, played at this point by Samantha Spiro, as she takes a rest between shows and starts to think back on her life and the decisions and situations that shaped her life. Almost along the similar vein of the Ghost Of Christmas Past from 'A Christmas Carol', the ghost of her deceased father guides her through the various stages of her life from her childhood to her rise to stardom. Honor Kneafsey plays the very young Barbara Deeks as she goes through auditions, choice of stage name 'Windsor', the trauma of being evacuated during the war, the heart-breaking divorce of her parents and the resulting distance she felt from a father who seemingly decided to ignore her. As the drama moves to Barbara's 20's, actress Jamie Winstone takes over the role, and is close to perfect as we see the rise of Barbara's stage career, her continued strained relationship with her parents, her troubled love and marriage to Ronnie Knight and, of course, her introduction to the 'Carry On
' movies. This drama seriously impressed me, and contained some very funny moments and some real poignant scenes, as we are guided through both the good, and bad times of Barbara's life. There are some genuinely incredible performances from the cast, including Nick Moran as Barbara's father John Deeks, Zoe Wanamaker as renowned theatre director Joan Littlewood and Luke Allen-Gale as Ronnie Knight. The real Barbara Windsor also makes a couple of appearances during the drama and a there's a wonderful finale with her too.
So much praise though must go to the three actresses portraying Barbara. Young Honor Kneafsey, Jamie Winstone and of course Samantha Spiro (who has actually played Barbara before both on stage and in the TV drama 'Cor Blimey' which told of her time during the 'Carry On 's and her affair with co-star Sid James).
It's unfortunate that it has been broadcast too late for this year's BAFTA awards but if it doesn't win anything in next year's honours then there is something seriously wrong. This is a stunning drama, superbly written, well-acted and gives us so much more of the life of an actress we all know and love.
So much praise though must go to the three actresses portraying Barbara. Young Honor Kneafsey, Jamie Winstone and of course Samantha Spiro (who has actually played Barbara before both on stage and in the TV drama 'Cor Blimey' which told of her time during the 'Carry On 's and her affair with co-star Sid James).
It's unfortunate that it has been broadcast too late for this year's BAFTA awards but if it doesn't win anything in next year's honours then there is something seriously wrong. This is a stunning drama, superbly written, well-acted and gives us so much more of the life of an actress we all know and love.