She apparently found working with Victoria incredibly difficult (something a lot of people have said over the years, including the cast of Dinner Ladies and Dawn French). Joan was apparently so unsettled by Victoria's aggressive, obsessive perfectionism that she couldn't remember her lines and had to rely on huge boards on set to remind her.
What a delightful vignette this ps - The actress who plays the lady out of the elderly couple played Mrs Comlosi from the Cosmetics Department in AYBS (visible in the episode where Mrs Slocombe temporarily took over Mr Rumbold's job)
Spot on! The actress, Avril Angers (1918 - 2005). If memory serves, as Miss Comlosi, she left Rumbold's office after calling Mrs Slocombe a, 'silly old bitch!' Wonderful stuff!!
Also way back in the early 60s she was the lady Elsie Tanners then husband wanted to marry - She turned up at Miami Modes asking Elsie to grant him a divorce
It was reported in Victoria Wood's biography "Let's do it" that Joan Sims found working with Victoria so stressful that she couldn't remember her lines and had to rely on huge boards on set to remind her. Brilliant comedian that she was, there was certainly a darker side to Victoria Wood as there is with so many comedians. Celia Imre also said that she often felt quite bullied by Victoria - she said this episode for example was full of little recurring digs at her. Both she and Julie Walters said that they had come to the point where they wouldn't tell Victoria anything personal or sensitive, because she'd then exploit it in a sketch.
Interesting to know. Victoria was totally devoted and militant to her career and writing. The result spoke for itself. But yes, I can see the other artists point of view.....I can only imagine
It's not just you, she's well fit. When she plays Miss Babs in Acorn Antiques I have always needed to change my underthings due to involuntary spillage.
