Heard people or read reviews in the UK raving about Cilla? Well it is not 71-year-old Cilla Black, the well-known veteran UK singer and celebrity, that is drawing all the attention but rather a mini-series simply called Cilla. The docu-drama about Cilla Black's life and her music is attracting a bunch of new and younger fans following the success of the three-part TV series. Sheridan Smith plays Cilla and she is receiving widespread praise for her acting and singing talents. Smith is responsible for singing Cilla's songs in the mini-series and her voice could easily win chart success. Parts one and two have already aired on ITV in the UK and the final part of Cilla airs at 9pm Monday September 29, on ITV. Priscilla White, her real name, rose to fame in those heady Beatles, Liverpool and swinging London days of the sixties. She started out singing with various groups in Liverpool and she sang rock-and-roll or pop music. But when musical success arrived in 1964 it was in the shape of a Number One hit - Anyone Who Had a Heart - and it was a ballad. Cilla continued to work through the decades with her own TV show, guest appearances on chat shows and TV comedies such as Morecambe and Wise, then as the host of Blind Date and the lead in Surprise Surprise. Her long time husband, the late Bobby Willis, was with her from the early days. Like her, love her or loathe her I doubt you can watch Cilla and not enjoy the experience. For older viewers there is nostalgia, memories of the Liverpool scene and some great music. But younger viewers have been in awe of Cilla's illustrious past which included singing with the Beatles in the Cavern in that band's early days. Sheridan Smith morphs into Cilla easily. The hair, the voice and the personality trick the viewer into almost believing it is a young Cilla starring in a documentary. Put the two women side by side and the similarities may not be so strong. Such has been the success of Cilla, the original recording of Anyone Who Had a Heart looks set to re-enter the charts again as fans of the TV series download it. There are no spoilers in this review but if you want a taster check out the footage below which includes a taster of the Cilla mini-series and one of the original Cilla. Recommended 10/10 Note: If you think Sheridan Smith looks familar but cannot think why - she played Charmian Biggs in Mrs Biggs, the wife of the infamous train robber Ronnie. Mrs Biggs was another great success. August 2, 2015: RIP Cilla Sixties pop icon and veteran entertainer Cilla Black dies
2 Comments
Dava Castillo
9/23/2014 07:49:40 am
Thank you for the review and recommendation Eileen.
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eileen
9/23/2014 08:56:29 am
Thanks Dava. I cant say that I am really a Cilla fan but the series is brill as we used to say lol And oh the music. Episode one is on youtube in full if you are able to watch without overdoing your internet allowance.
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