@jasperrees
Author, arts journo.
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Archie’s odyssey: the boy who was lost at sea but found his way home
Archie’s odyssey: the boy who was lost at sea but found his way home
After Archie died at 16, a bench dedicated to him stood at Port Isaac harbour until, at Christmas, it was washed out to sea. But Archie wasn’t done … This is the story of his journey home
Archive on 4 - Victoria Wood - Loose Chippings - BBC Sounds
Archive on 4 - Victoria Wood - Loose Chippings - BBC Sounds
Interview on Steph's Packed Lunch, Channel 4
Interview on Steph's Packed Lunch, Channel 4
'She was complicated.' BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Victoria Wood
'She was complicated.' BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood's lovely letters - Jasper Rees - The Oldie
Victoria Wood's lovely letters - Jasper Rees - The Oldie
Victoria Wood died five years ago today. Her letters reveal a shy, perfectionist, affectionate genius, shadowed by a lonely childhood, says her biographer, Jasper Rees
Dinnerladies at 25: why the sitcom is Victoria Wood's greatest achievement
Dinnerladies at 25: why the sitcom is Victoria Wood's greatest achievement
It only ran for 16 episodes, but Victoria Wood's tale of canteen staff is rightly remembered as surgically-precise comic gold
'Can I thrust by? I’m a diabetic.' Victoria Wood’s greatest sketch
'Can I thrust by? I’m a diabetic.' Victoria Wood’s greatest sketch
As a major new award is announced on what would have been her 70th birthday, Wood's biographer reflects on the sublime Self Service sketch
Victoria Wood: The Songwriter - Live Q&A - Happy Festival
Victoria Wood: The Songwriter - Live Q&A - Happy Festival
Join us for another special Q&A hosted by Jasper Rees - writer of the newly published biography of Victoria Wood - "Let's do it: The Authorised Biography of ...
Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4: Victoria Wood's biographer
Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4: Victoria Wood's biographer
Jasper Rees on Victoria Wood and a revival of Talent
Jasper Rees on Victoria Wood and a revival of Talent
Long after Victoria Wood had stopped touring she would scratch the itch to perform by accepting invitations to be a guest speaker. At one such booking — a schoo
The unseen Victoria Wood
The unseen Victoria Wood
For a few years now I have been living with Victoria Wood. That sounds all wrong, obviously, and yet no more apt phrase suggests itself. Not long after her death I was invited to write her authorised biography, and in due course a vast collection of documents was delivered to my address. Packed into storage
The strange story of Victoria Wood’s ‘lost’ play — and how it launched her comedy career
The strange story of Victoria Wood’s ‘lost’ play — and how it launched her comedy career
As Victoria Wood’s 1980 send-up of community theatre returns to the stage, Jasper Rees reveals how it was created
Victoria Wood: 'I wasn't quite normal... so I exaggerated my oddness'
Victoria Wood: 'I wasn't quite normal... so I exaggerated my oddness'
In this extract, Victoria Wood's biographer charts her journey from awkward teen to one of the nation's favourite entertainers
Victoria Wood: ‘She made audiences laugh till it hurt and choked them up with sorrow’
Victoria Wood: ‘She made audiences laugh till it hurt and choked them up with sorrow’
My discovery of 80 unseen scripts that shine a light on Victoria Wood's genius
My discovery of 80 unseen scripts that shine a light on Victoria Wood's genius
Our Friend Victoria – Victoria Wood’s genius is irreplaceable
Our Friend Victoria – Victoria Wood’s genius is irreplaceable
Victoria Wood, 1953-2016: 'Please could you repeat the question?'
Victoria Wood, 1953-2016: 'Please could you repeat the question?'
Jim Parker obituary
Jim Parker obituary
Anne Reid on her Daniel Craig sex scene: ‘I was very scared’
Anne Reid on her Daniel Craig sex scene: ‘I was very scared’
The inside story of Angela Rippon’s Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special
The inside story of Angela Rippon’s Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special
In 1976, the BBC's first regular female newsreader high-kicked in a dress on television – she explains how this iconic moment came about
‘It reflected a time when we all behaved very well’: the making of Dad’s Army, the greatest British sitcom
‘It reflected a time when we all behaved very well’: the making of Dad’s Army, the greatest British sitcom
'I want to look like Bill Nighy': my encounters with Michael Gambon
'I want to look like Bill Nighy': my encounters with Michael Gambon
The McCartney Legacy - what Paul really got up to in the Wings years
The McCartney Legacy - what Paul really got up to in the Wings years
John Standing on the day Peter O’ Toole dragged him off to a nunnery
John Standing on the day Peter O’ Toole dragged him off to a nunnery
How my great uncle Julian saved thousands of Jews from the gas chambers – and met Adolf Eichmann
How my great uncle Julian saved thousands of Jews from the gas chambers – and met Adolf Eichmann
‘Sexual passion frightens me’: the tragic, romantic life of Stefan Zweig
‘Sexual passion frightens me’: the tragic, romantic life of Stefan Zweig
Knife – Salman Rushdie's harrowing new book
Knife – Salman Rushdie's harrowing new book
Is Sussex England’s most mysterious county?
Is Sussex England’s most mysterious county?
Mr Bates vs the Post Office, review: you will be left seething by the sense of injustice
Mr Bates vs the Post Office, review: you will be left seething by the sense of injustice
Le Carré's dirty linen
Le Carré's dirty linen
The 10 best episodes of The Crown – ranked
The 10 best episodes of The Crown – ranked
The epic European trek that is being transformed by climate change
The epic European trek that is being transformed by climate change
His lyrics for Elton were good, so why is Bernie Taupin’s book laughably bad?
His lyrics for Elton were good, so why is Bernie Taupin’s book laughably bad?
Isabelle Huppert: ‘I think it’s easy to work with me’
Isabelle Huppert: ‘I think it’s easy to work with me’
Jeremy Lemmon, charismatic Harrow schoolmaster and influential Shakespearean – obituary
Jeremy Lemmon, charismatic Harrow schoolmaster and influential Shakespearean – obituary
‘A drip of unkindness, undermining everything’: what was life like for Jan Morris's children?
‘A drip of unkindness, undermining everything’: what was life like for Jan Morris's children?
'The first thing I do when I wake up is write.' Hilary Mantel, 1952-2022
'The first thing I do when I wake up is write.' Hilary Mantel, 1952-2022
The DIY Scottish walking trip that has everything – except other people
The DIY Scottish walking trip that has everything – except other people
'How many actors does it take to screw in a light bulb?' William Hurt, great Hollywood contrarian
'How many actors does it take to screw in a light bulb?' William Hurt, great Hollywood contrarian
Antony Sher: 'I discovered I could be other people'
Antony Sher: 'I discovered I could be other people'
Remembering David Storey, giant of postwar English culture
Remembering David Storey, giant of postwar English culture
Helen McCrory: 'If there's one interesting thing about acting it's trying to lose your ego'
Helen McCrory: 'If there's one interesting thing about acting it's trying to lose your ego'
John Prine, one of the great American singer-songwriters
John Prine, one of the great American singer-songwriters
Franco Zeffirelli: 'I had this feeling that I was special'
Franco Zeffirelli: 'I had this feeling that I was special'
Tim Minchin, Eventim Apollo - fabulous triumph of rhyme and reason
Tim Minchin, Eventim Apollo - fabulous triumph of rhyme and reason
Al Alvarez: 'If I drop dead this minute, I’ve had a terrific time'
Al Alvarez: 'If I drop dead this minute, I’ve had a terrific time'
The making of Local Hero
The making of Local Hero
An encounter with John Richardson, Picasso's biographer
An encounter with John Richardson, Picasso's biographer
Bruno Ganz: 'I could put my passport between Hitler and me'
Bruno Ganz: 'I could put my passport between Hitler and me'
David Bowie: Finding Fame - a fascinating insight into the young singer's quest for fame
David Bowie: Finding Fame - a fascinating insight into the young singer's quest for fame
Bohemian Rhapsody is a drag
Bohemian Rhapsody is a drag
The Bell of Treason by P.E.Caquet - the sacrifice of Czechoslovakia
The Bell of Treason by P.E.Caquet - the sacrifice of Czechoslovakia
Brian Friel, the private playwright of Ballybeg
Brian Friel, the private playwright of Ballybeg
Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words - emotional nomad with a fragile gift for joy
Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words - emotional nomad with a fragile gift for joy
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story - Hollywood's brainiest beauty
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story - Hollywood's brainiest beauty
theartsdesk in Minsk: feasting with Belarus Free Theatre
theartsdesk in Minsk: feasting with Belarus Free Theatre
Hold the Sunset, BBC One - this is an ex-sitcom
Hold the Sunset, BBC One - this is an ex-sitcom
The disastrous opening of Pinter's now universally hailed early play
The disastrous opening of Pinter's now universally hailed early play
Jeremy Irons: 'I was never very beautiful'
Jeremy Irons: 'I was never very beautiful'
Terence Stamp: ‘My date with Christine Keeler went well’
Terence Stamp: ‘My date with Christine Keeler went well’
Queen: Rock the World, BBC Four - we won't rock you
Queen: Rock the World, BBC Four - we won't rock you
The beautiful game, the horrible kits
The beautiful game, the horrible kits
Lucy Worsley's Nights at the Opera, BBC Two - there's anti-elitism, and there's infantilism
Lucy Worsley's Nights at the Opera, BBC Two - there's anti-elitism, and there's infantilism
I Know Who You Are, BBC Four - gripping, but no one to root for
I Know Who You Are, BBC Four - gripping, but no one to root for
When Sam Shepard was a Londoner
When Sam Shepard was a Londoner
'I were crap at school': Jodie Whittaker, the new Doctor Who
'I were crap at school': Jodie Whittaker, the new Doctor Who
Lenny Henry: ‘If we can’t see it, we can’t be it’
Lenny Henry: ‘If we can’t see it, we can’t be it’
Jez Butterworth: 'There’s a character in Jerusalem who works in an abattoir. He would have thought I was a cunt'
Jez Butterworth: 'There’s a character in Jerusalem who works in an abattoir. He would have thought I was a cunt'
Balancing Acts by Nicholas Hytner - wonderfully insightful about everything but himself
Balancing Acts by Nicholas Hytner - wonderfully insightful about everything but himself
A King Kong for our time
A King Kong for our time
Letter to an unknown woman: Stefan Zweig (and his second wife) in England
Letter to an unknown woman: Stefan Zweig (and his second wife) in England
Barry Jenkins, director of Moonlight: 'We should now be expanding what an American life is, and which voices are worth hearing'
Barry Jenkins, director of Moonlight: 'We should now be expanding what an American life is, and which voices are worth hearing'
John Hurt: 'If I’ve been anything I’ve been adventurous'
John Hurt: 'If I’ve been anything I’ve been adventurous'
It’s time Six Wives with Lucy Worsley was taken to the Tower – review
It’s time Six Wives with Lucy Worsley was taken to the Tower – review
Katori Hall: 'I wanted to create the behind-the-doors Martin Luther King'
Katori Hall: 'I wanted to create the behind-the-doors Martin Luther King'
Who's afraid of Edward Albee?
Who's afraid of Edward Albee?
Fleabag, BBC Three, series finale - a gloriously rude, and far funnier, update of Bridget Jones
Fleabag, BBC Three, series finale - a gloriously rude, and far funnier, update of Bridget Jones
Fleabag, BBC Three - brilliant dark comedy about loneliness and grief
Fleabag, BBC Three - brilliant dark comedy about loneliness and grief
The Age of Bowie: by Paul Morley - paean to the starman
The Age of Bowie: by Paul Morley - paean to the starman
David Bowie Prom, Royal Albert Hall - this ain’t rock’n’roll, this is contemporary classical
David Bowie Prom, Royal Albert Hall - this ain’t rock’n’roll, this is contemporary classical
Marni Nixon: 'It ended up being totally my voice'
Marni Nixon: 'It ended up being totally my voice'
Pierre-Laurent Aimard: 'Populist means something very different in French'
Pierre-Laurent Aimard: 'Populist means something very different in French'
John Cale: 'Lou Reed's death felt like a very public suicide'
John Cale: 'Lou Reed's death felt like a very public suicide'
Grayson Perry: 'Men should think less about sex'
Grayson Perry: 'Men should think less about sex'
David Bowie: The Last Five Years, BBC Two - from Reality to finality
David Bowie: The Last Five Years, BBC Two - from Reality to finality
Garrison Keillor: 'I would like to die in the company of Lutherans'
Garrison Keillor: 'I would like to die in the company of Lutherans'
Who was St Clair Bayfield?
Who was St Clair Bayfield?
Florence Foster Jenkins: The real diva
Florence Foster Jenkins: The real diva
Arnold Wesker: His Life and Career in 10 Scenes
Arnold Wesker: His Life and Career in 10 Scenes
Don Cheadle: ‘Do black movies really not sell?’
Don Cheadle: ‘Do black movies really not sell?’
Stephanie Beacham reveals she was raped as a young actress - and keeping silent ruined her life
Stephanie Beacham reveals she was raped as a young actress - and keeping silent ruined her life
George Martin: 'Paul said he would like orchestral instruments. John couldn’t be bothered'
George Martin: 'Paul said he would like orchestral instruments. John couldn’t be bothered'
When Bowie and Boyd hoaxed the art world
When Bowie and Boyd hoaxed the art world
Warren Mitchell: ‘If you could be Welsh and Jewish you really couldn’t miss’
Warren Mitchell: ‘If you could be Welsh and Jewish you really couldn’t miss’
Maggie Smith: 'If there’s an old bat to play, it’ll be me'
Maggie Smith: 'If there’s an old bat to play, it’ll be me'
Ray Davies: 'The Beatles were complaining they had to pay tax. The Kinks were complaining because we had no money at all'
Ray Davies: 'The Beatles were complaining they had to pay tax. The Kinks were complaining because we had no money at all'
All the world’s a stage: with the Globe's global tour of Hamlet
All the world’s a stage: with the Globe's global tour of Hamlet
There will be blood: the Palio di Siena
There will be blood: the Palio di Siena
In Welsh Patagonia
In Welsh Patagonia
Does anyone know the way to blockbuster?
Does anyone know the way to blockbuster?
Siân Phillips: 'Saying yes to work is just a way of life'
Siân Phillips: 'Saying yes to work is just a way of life'
Ivo van Hove, the hottest Belgian in town
Ivo van Hove, the hottest Belgian in town
Shirley Williams: Saving my mother from the scriptwriters
Shirley Williams: Saving my mother from the scriptwriters
Visual CV: Maggie Smith
Visual CV: Maggie Smith
Sofie Gråbøl: 'What the fuck are you doing with my jumper?'
Sofie Gråbøl: 'What the fuck are you doing with my jumper?'
Bob Hoskins: 'There’s not too many bald-headed cubic people'
Bob Hoskins: 'There’s not too many bald-headed cubic people'
Land of my fathers? My fathers can keep it
Land of my fathers? My fathers can keep it
theartsdesk in Florence: Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino
theartsdesk in Florence: Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino
Claire Tomalin on Charles Dickens: 'Most of us have behaved like a madman or madwoman'
Claire Tomalin on Charles Dickens: 'Most of us have behaved like a madman or madwoman'
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Best Character Actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Best Character Actor
The Resurrection of Conor McPherson
The Resurrection of Conor McPherson
Cinema Paradiso
Cinema Paradiso
The Wagner Interviews
The Wagner Interviews
Doris Lessing: 'Books have been my life'
Doris Lessing: 'Books have been my life'
Live from the National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage, BBC Two
Live from the National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage, BBC Two
Shere Hite: 'The clitoris hadn’t been talked about for maybe 100 years
Shere Hite: 'The clitoris hadn’t been talked about for maybe 100 years
Bald on blondes: what makes Terry Johnson tick?
Bald on blondes: what makes Terry Johnson tick?
JJ Cale: 'There’s a few people everywhere want to hear the guy that wrote the songs'
JJ Cale: 'There’s a few people everywhere want to hear the guy that wrote the songs'
The Woody Allen story: 'Why do I feel like I got screwed?'
The Woody Allen story: 'Why do I feel like I got screwed?'
theartsdesk in Florence: The Springtime of the Renaissance
theartsdesk in Florence: The Springtime of the Renaissance
Rowan Atkinson: 'I’m someone who likes to be in control'
Rowan Atkinson: 'I’m someone who likes to be in control'
Michael Frayn 'It’s better to be known for two things than one thing'
Michael Frayn 'It’s better to be known for two things than one thing'
The 2012 London Olympic Games, BBC
The 2012 London Olympic Games, BBC
Olympics closing ceremony: A long goodbye to the Games
Olympics closing ceremony: A long goodbye to the Games
Kiss the Day Goodbye: Marvin Hamlisch, 1944-2012
Kiss the Day Goodbye: Marvin Hamlisch, 1944-2012
The Hitchcock Players: Ingrid Bergman, Notorious
The Hitchcock Players: Ingrid Bergman, Notorious
The Opening Ceremony, London 2012, BBC One
The Opening Ceremony, London 2012, BBC One
Shakespeare: Staging the World, British Museum
Shakespeare: Staging the World, British Museum
Thinking of Something Funny: Eric Sykes, 1923-2012
Thinking of Something Funny: Eric Sykes, 1923-2012
theartsdesk in Raploch: Sistema Scotland Makes Big Noise
theartsdesk in Raploch: Sistema Scotland Makes Big Noise
Globe to Globe: Hamlet, Shakespeare's Globe
Globe to Globe: Hamlet, Shakespeare's Globe
The Underbelly Project: Paris
The Underbelly Project: Paris
Václav Havel: 'I dream of old age as a time of rest, when nothing more will be expected of me'
Václav Havel: 'I dream of old age as a time of rest, when nothing more will be expected of me'
Christopher Hitchens: 'One wants also to try and pass on a bit of what one has soaked up'
Christopher Hitchens: 'One wants also to try and pass on a bit of what one has soaked up'
theartsdesk in Florence: The British Are Going
theartsdesk in Florence: The British Are Going
The Underbelly Project: New York
The Underbelly Project: New York
Tom Hollander: 'The danger with playing a part that defines you is that it swallows up everything else'
Tom Hollander: 'The danger with playing a part that defines you is that it swallows up everything else'
Tim Minchin: 'I’m telling you what you should think'
Tim Minchin: 'I’m telling you what you should think'
István Szabó: 'Hungarian filmmakers found a flower language'
István Szabó: 'Hungarian filmmakers found a flower language'
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (3D)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (3D)
My quest to be more Welsh
My quest to be more Welsh
The Passion of Port Talbot, NTW/WildWorks
The Passion of Port Talbot, NTW/WildWorks
Opinion: Please will you stop talking?
Opinion: Please will you stop talking?
theartsdesk in Florence: Was This the Greatest Renaissance Show Ever Held?
theartsdesk in Florence: Was This the Greatest Renaissance Show Ever Held?
Eileen Atkins: 'I had to get out of my childhood'
Eileen Atkins: 'I had to get out of my childhood'
Derek Jacobi: 'You don't play the king, you play the man'
Derek Jacobi: 'You don't play the king, you play the man'
Nicola Benedetti goes Romantic
Nicola Benedetti goes Romantic
Michael Gambon: 'I'm quite a serious-minded actor. I am! I am!'
Michael Gambon: 'I'm quite a serious-minded actor. I am! I am!'
Michael Sheen: 'I like the feeling of fear when I think there is no way I can do this'
Michael Sheen: 'I like the feeling of fear when I think there is no way I can do this'
Martin Amis on 'The Whole Book-To-Film Department'
Martin Amis on 'The Whole Book-To-Film Department'
Corin Redgrave, 1939-2010
Corin Redgrave, 1939-2010
Clash of the Titans
Clash of the Titans
Tim Minchin, Hammersmith Apollo
Tim Minchin, Hammersmith Apollo
David Hare: 'When you write plays you get more and more isolated'
David Hare: 'When you write plays you get more and more isolated'
Is this the most powerful man in classical music?
Is this the most powerful man in classical music?
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