Marking a decade since the death of the beloved comedian and songwriter Victoria Wood, a new musical titled Fourteen Again has premiered at the recently renamed Victoria Wood Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere. The venue, formerly known as the Old Laundry Theatre, pays homage to Wood, who made an art form out of portraying female domesticity and the quirks of ordinary people with both humour and compassion.
A Time-Slip Tale of Friendship and Regret
The production weaves together 12 of Wood's songs with a narrative about two women, Peggy (Sally Ann Triplett) and Lou (Ria Jones), who reconnect at a diet club in middle age. Wood often satirized the weight-loss industry, and this setup effectively showcases her song Don't Get Cocky, a critique of diet culture. The pair reminisce about their school days and ruefully reflect on life's disappointments. When Peggy suddenly finds herself transported back to age 14, she resolves to make better choices this time around.
Initially, the show feels like a nostalgia fest, with references to Basil Brush, Nana Mouskouri, Bejams, and Wood's own The Ballad of Barry and Freda (also known as Let's Do It). The circular set's backdrop screens feature somewhat tacky illustrations, and the plot resembles a mash-up of Freaky Friday and Back to the Future. However, despite some clunky moments in director Jonathan O'Boyle's production, Tom MacRae's book (with additional lyrics) is charming.
Wood's Glorious Songs
The true highlight is Wood's extraordinary songwriting, which ranges from giddy domestic delights to poignant melancholy. Her work captures a voice reminiscent of Philip Larkin in its focus on ordinariness and the depth found within it, touching on loneliness, quiet dissatisfaction, and ageing. The number Northerners offers sharp satire on class and regionalism, comparable to Pulp's Common People or an Arnold Bennett satire. I've Had It Up to Here astutely observes women's unfulfilled sex lives, performed by Triplett as a teenager with a hairbrush as a microphone. The darker Litter Bin explores motherhood and abandonment.
Performances and Emotional Impact
Both Triplett and Jones, who previously worked with Wood, infuse their performances with warmth. Triplett sports a 1980s side ponytail, while Jones rocks a Kevin Keegan-style mullet. While Wood's unmistakable exuberance is ever-present, the actors gradually make the songs their own, bringing wit and emotion. Triplett effectively blends teenage angst with menopausal spirit, and Jones delivers a strong portrayal of straight-up adolescence. Michael Chance juggles smaller male roles and doubles as pianist. Seeing middle-aged actors play teenagers may seem arch, but it builds emotional momentum. By the end, audiences are moved to tears for these women and for the genius who left us too soon but gifted us her songs.
Fourteen Again runs at the Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere, until 6 June.
