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!
Review of That Day We Sang
