When it comes to evoking skin-crawling embarrassment, few can hold a candle to Mike Leigh. Mike happens to be celebrating his 68th birthday today (20th February). Happy birthday to you and very many thanks for all your most fantastic creations.
We have to thank a man who gave us Keith (Roger Sloman) and Candice-Marie (Alison Steadman) in the truly brilliant Nuts in May. The first time I came across this masterpiece was whilst I was preparing to go to the pub at Christmas (1993), when staying with Mum and Dad in Ballycastle. Have you ever seen something on television so compelling that you forget about what you are doing and sit transfixed, not quite believing what you are watching? That sort of TV is rare. Mike Leigh is the genius who can do that.
Nuts in May follows an excrutiating 'right-on' couple (social workers I think) whose idea of fun is fresh air, long walks, camping, sing-songs, communing with nature and all the new age flibber flabber that goes with it. The couple have more of a child-parent relationship, with self-righteous Keith domineering his unfortunate wife. Their encounter with Ray, a student teacher, is just painful to watch - and yet you must. You have no choice. You have to witness the point at which their very different universe's meet, and cringe with embarrassment at the result. For that, and for so much more, we thank you Mike Leigh. Happy birthday!
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