A comedy bus tour around Birmingham inspired by the late, great Victoria Wood is set to arrive in the city as part of the Flatpack Film Festival. Hosted by Funny Woman Finalist and Victoria Wood superfan Rachel Baker, this unique experience offers a nostalgic journey back to the mid-1970s, exploring the stomping grounds of Wood during her time as a drama student and aspiring comedian at Birmingham University.
The Tour Experience
Ably assisted by the BBC's Barbara Nice, Baker's bus will treat audiences to sights from Wood's early career around the city. The tour includes stories about Baker's lifelong obsession with Wood and comic tales of everyday women who ride buses. Baker shared: "Our journey begins at the Hop Garden in Harborne, which was back then known as the Sportsman pub, where Wood worked on the bar and occasionally played piano. An encounter with a BBC producer there led to an audition at the BBC's Pebble Mill studios, another stop on our magical mystery tour and a regular destination for Wood. Parts of her breakthrough 1985 series As Seen on TV were filmed there."
Like Wood, Baker studied at Birmingham University and has navigated the ups and downs of the local comedy scene. Buses play a significant role in her work as a source of inspiration and a location for her musical talent. She added: "It's a delight to have a shiny new electric double-decker bus to play with today."
Ticket Information
The tour lasts just over two hours and will finish at the MAC in Cannon Hill Park. It is running on Sunday, May 10, with two sessions: 11am to 1:15pm and 2:30pm to 4:45pm. Tickets cost £16 or £12 (concessions) and can be purchased at the Flatpack Festival website.
More at Flatpack Festival
Flatpack Festival returns to Birmingham from May 8 to 16, championing emerging voices in film and entertainment. This annual film and arts festival is known for blending boundary-pushing cinema, animation, documentary, and live audiovisual performances. It transforms unique venues across the city, from warehouses to museums, into immersive spaces for screenings and artistic installations.
The festival kicks off with a screening of Chaplin: Spirit Of The Tramp + Q&A, the UK premiere of a new documentary by Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter Carmen, exploring the legendary comedian's early life. It is being shown on Friday, May 8 at 8pm at Odeon Broadway Plaza. Tickets are available via the Flatpack Film Festival website.
There is also a chance to explore nature at the Handsworth Compost Village on Saturday, and a serious look at racism and violence in the city through The Story of Satpal Ram. The full programme is available online.
This year, the festival has won support from local talent from the hit show Bridgerton. Cole Edwards, Birmingham-based filmmaker and former casting director of the Netflix period drama, and Claudia Jessie, Bridgerton actress, are funding the BFI Film Academy Awards for young filmmakers at the Festival. "Birmingham is where I am happiest. It is where my heart is. Any opportunity to support the huge amount of talent coming from the Midlands is a real honour," said Birmingham-born Claudia.
