Dinnerladies - The Complete Collection [DVD] [1998]

The lion's share of the credit has to go to the writer (and star) Victoria Wood. She exhibits the highest form of humour, quiet but biting, satirical without being exploitative, filled with humanity while at the same time laughing at every aspect of humans, you can see yourself and people you know in virtually every character. The actors are all on top form, and Wood makes full use of what seems to have become her acting company from her "As Seen On TV" series. Some serious themes creep in now and then, but Wood's matter-of-fact non-melodramatic approach suits the situations perfectly, and actually seems more realistic than the way serious dramas make plausible situations into contrived crises.

It's difficult to know why Dinnerladies and Wood herself aren't more widely acknowledged, this is possibly the best sitcom since Dad's Army, and it's certainly as pleasurable to watch. I only hope that we see lots more from Wood in the future, if she can write as well as this we need to see more from her.

As for this particular DVD presentation, I bought it on Amazon for a special offer price of £9. £9 for all two series of something as good as this doesn't deserve any less than five stars, and even at double the price I wouldn't have any hesitation in purchasing it.

It doesn't come with any extras though, which is a shame as an interview with the cast and crew would be a most welcome companion to this complete collection. This is a landmark series, make no mistake about it.

Dinnerladies is very funny with its humour being primarily character-driven. In fact, all the action takes place within the confines of the kitchen and canteen where the dinnerladies are employed. The script is so wonderfully crafted that there is no need for changes in location in order to make it work. (Victoria Wood is a genius!) What is more, because the characters are developed so well and so realistically, you care about what happens to them. You are drawn into their world and some episodes can make you cry as well as laugh. That is a truly rare quality in British comedy.

In short, Dinnerladies is one of the best sit-coms ever to be broadcast.

The cast is exceptional. Victoria Wood has talent and reputation enough to attract a wonderful ensemble of actors, and she has remained loyal to them for many years. The performances and characterisations are all beautifully observed. The comedy is done very gently, but there are some savage asides and some really caustic lines. The writing is outstanding. Victoria Wood is a decidedly self-effacing lady at the best of times, but she is a writer of genius, a writer capable of incisive insight into British life, a writer who can be brutal at times, but who never lets go of a warm, tender love of her characters and a very human outlook on the world.

This is extraordinary television, extraordinary writing, and a comedy performed with aplomb and passion. 'Dinner Ladies' is a classic; this is the sort of programme you can return to again and again and laugh and cry - excellent value on DVD.