Anya Taylor-Joy gives a wonderful performance in the title role of this Jane Austen adaptation as a well-meaning but proud young woman who enjoys playing match-maker without proper concern for the feelings of those involved. Bill Nighy plays Emma's father to perfection. Fans of the book will be pleased.

Definitely a drama about a comic rather than a comedy-drama, Adrian Shergold’s tough little tale of a woman battling on to the 1970s northern comedy circuit is all sharp edges, despite its playful title. Far from the sentimental housewife-on-stage laughs of Punchline (1988) or This Is My Life (1992), it paints a gritty picture of the domestic violence and unrelieved sexism dogging its reckless worki find out more...

Whoopi Goldberg is like a hip, Afro-American Joyce Grenfell. Her monologues are masterpieces of characterisation and acute observation - always funny and moving.