Let's Do It
The Authorised Biography of Victoria Wood
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Let's Do It
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By:
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Jasper Rees
About this listen
Trapeze audiobooks presents an extraordinary multi-voice tribute to one of Britain's most talented and most loved entertainers: Victoria Wood.
This audiobook features narration from some of the extraordinary voices who worked with Victoria over her career:
Susie Blake
Richenda Carey
Celia Imrie
Duncan Preston
Anne Reid
Daniel Rigby
Kate Robbins
David Threlfall
Julie Walters
Jane Wymark
With an introduction read by Jasper Rees and two recordings of Victoria Wood's classic Ballad of Barry and Freda.
I was born with a warped sense of humour and when I was carried home from being born it was Coronation Day and so I was called Victoria, but you are not supposed to know who wrote this anyway. It is about time I unleashed my pent-up emotions in a bitter comment on the state of our society but it's not quite me so I think I shall write a heart-warming story with laughter behind the tears and tears behind the laughter which means hysterics to you Philistines....
From 'Pardon?' by Vicky Wood, aged 14. Bury Grammar School (Girls) Magazine, 1967.
In her passport, Victoria Wood listed her occupation as 'entertainer' - and in stand-up and sketches, songs and sitcom, musicals and dramas, she became the greatest entertainer of the age. Those things that might have held her back - her lonely childhood, her crippling shyness and above all the disadvantage of being a woman in a male-run industry - she turned to her advantage to make extraordinary comedy about ordinary people living ordinary lives in ordinary bodies. She wasn't fond of the term, but Victoria Wood truly was a national treasure - and her loss is still keenly felt.
Victoria had plenty of stories still to tell when she died in 2016, and one of those was her own autobiography.
'I will do it one day,' she told journalist and author Jasper Rees when he first met her in 2001. 'It would be about my childhood, about my first few years in show-business, which were really interesting and would make a really nice story.'
That sadly never came to pass, so Victoria's estate has asked Jasper Rees, who interviewed her more than anyone else, to tell her extraordinary story in full. He has been granted complete and exclusive access to Victoria's rich archive of personal and professional material and has conducted more than 200 interviews with her family, friends and colleagues - among them Victoria's children, her sisters, her ex-husband, Geoffrey Durham, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Dawn French, Anne Reid, Imelda Staunton and many more.
What emerges is a portrait of a true pioneer who spoke to her audience like no one before or since.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2020 Jasper Rees (P)2020 Orion Publishing GroupListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Let's Do It
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Vicuña
- 02-04-21
Excellent narration brings a whole new dimension to the book
I bought the hardback when first published as I’ve always admired and enjoyed Victoria Wood’s work. I couldn’t resist this as a 2 for 1 deal and I’m so pleased I bought it because although I’ve read the book, the narrated version adds a who,e new dimension to this complex and compelling account of her life and work.
This is very much a warts and all biography, but it had the subject’s blessing and Jasper Rees had unprecedented access to a range of source material. If you know little of her work, this will give amazing insight, but it will also add much for those familiar with her shows and sketches. She had a strange childhood and it’s amazing to see how her talent emerged and understand a little of the person she was. Clearly exacting to work with and applying her own high standards to all around her, I was touched by a chapter that deals with her involvement with a production and a children’s choir. A completely different person emerged, supported by comments from Grace and Henry, her children.
I’d defy anyone not to be moved by some of the later chapters as her illness took its toll. As well as giving an insight into Victoria Wood, this is a fascinating look at the world of entertainment. Really enjoyed it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- MRS
- 26-12-20
Great story of a great performer
Book produced with love and respect and shows evidence of the humour she generated and which continues to be enjoyed as much today as when it first was revealed to public appreciation.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Deanyboy
- 27-10-20
Brilliantly funny and poignant
This was such a good listen and a great insight into the life of one of Britain’s best comedy talents!! A genius talent that will be forever missed!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sue
- 11-03-21
best read for a long time
This book kept me in raptures. could not stop reading until the end and then I wanted more. Victoria Wood has always been a great favourite artist but her writing skills are exceptional.
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- Kindle Customer
- 25-02-21
Perfect
I had the written copy of this book on my Christmas list. Wow, am I glad I didn't receive it. Had I read it for myself I would have missed out on hearing the story read by so many legends who knew Victoria Wood personally. A fabulous and fascinating experience and one I will certainly repeat over the years.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Liz
- 23-12-20
Wonderful!
Amazing woman and a fabulous book. Highly recommended if you loved Victoria and her genius work
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- Daniel Taylor
- 24-10-21
Great Story Of A Legend
From beginning to end a fascinating story of someone I greatly admire a true legend
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- D. Baker
- 30-10-20
Great book, amazing selection of readers
As has been said in reviews in press and reviews on Audible / Amazon, a wonderful book about an amazing career - with the details of VW's childhood quite upsetting for fans to deal with.
The book is perfectly paced, with just amount of detail for the many phases of her career. It's certainly not a hagiography, with VW's spikiness and shyness certainly not glossed over. It's particularly sad to realise that the actors that made up her regulars saw the troupe as more of a working relationship than a friendship group, but it's a tribute to VW that so many are assembled for the reading of this book. Hearing David Threlfall 'do' Alan Bennett (and many others) is one of the many opportunities for the readers to inhabit the people they are quoting from as part of the book. And Julie Walters says the 'c' word - I nearly dropped spat out my macaroon.
Lots of laughs, even to the end.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Kez
- 16-03-21
fabulous
wonderful insight into the life of a very private and very talented woman taken too soon. loved Victoria's work. the narration by her friends and colleagues is lovely and a fitting tribute that they were willing to give their time to this book. well worth a listen. thoroughly enjoyed it.
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- Helen Field
- 14-03-21
Brilliant!
What a great idea to have each chapter read by different people involved in Victoria Wood’s life and work. Hugely enjoyable, and a real insight into the talent and sheer hard work of this wonderful person.
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