Talent (1978 Play) - Television Version

Television Version

Talent
Genre Comedy
Created by Victoria Wood
Starring Victoria Wood
Julie Walters
Bill Waddington
Kevin Lloyd
Peter Ellis
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 1
Production
Producer(s) Peter Eckersley
Running time 75 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel ITV
Original airing 5 August 1979

Granada Television producer, Peter Eckersley was so impressed with the show, he signed Wood up for a TV version of it which was broadcast on the ITV network on 5 August 1979. Wood had originally written the part of Julie for her co-star in In At The Death, Julie Walters, and while she was not available for the stage version, she was able to appear in the TV remake. It was the first of many television appearances the two would make together.

The rest of the cast were Bill Waddington (George Findley), Eric Richard (Mel), Nat Jackley (Arthur), Sue Glover (Cathy Christmas), Peter Ellis (Compere), Andrew Dodge (Cathy's accompanist).

The television critics were unanimous in their praise, and Wood received congratulatory letters from actor John Le Mesurier and fellow northern writer Alan Plater. It even lead to an offer for Wood to join the then new satirical comedy show Not The Nine O'Clock News, which she turned down.

A year later, a television only sequel to Talent called Nearly A Happy Ending was broadcast on Granada, again written by Wood and starring Wood and Walters reprising their roles.

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