Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads - Commencing June 23rd, BBC One

I have the original Talking Heads on CD and they are absolutely brilliant. Extraordinarily insightful writing brought to life by some of Britain's finest actors. It's the stillness, the weight of the words, the pauses, the lighting and the unexpected twists and turns of the monologues. They epitomise the apparent simplicity that is the mark of true genius.

Jane that’s the whole point of the use of the word ‘ordinary’.

As mother of sons I felt uncomfortable . I never was in love with a son and wondered was I too inhibited? Or was I sexually frigid? And why did the narrative make me uncomfortable am I not facing up to something deep buried in my psyche?

It's true I think there is a "protective skin" that social mores establish around families to keep them sacrosanct.

suziewoozie well duh!! I know!

Imelda Staunton was excellent, but can’t erase the memory of Patricia Routledge for me.

Sarah Lancashire also very good, though I did find her monologue a bit too long. If it made people feel uncomfortable, I suspect it’s achieving its aim. Our social mores may well constrain some unacceptable but real feelings. It’s the job of art to challenge us.

How casually you threw that out, grumppa
A memory to treasure, surely?
Alishka Grumppa was a bit too casual![ I asked if he would share that devastating line with us, but he seems to have forgotten where he threw it! .

I thought Talking Heads last night was excellent. The originals were very good too but I haven't seen them for a very long time.

Regarding the one with Sarah Lancashire, what would people's reactions have been if it had been a father in love with his daughter?

Tangerine

I thought Talking Heads last night was excellent. The originals were very good too but I haven't seen them for a very long time.

Regarding the one with Sarah Lancashire, what would people's reactions have been if it had been a father in love with his daughter?

Exactly what I was thinking re: Sarah Lancashire

I'm not sure we'd be waxing lyrical about it

You’ll have to try and get younger women then
Lemongrove I like the "plural".
Problem with that is practically all women are younger than me, but not necessarily "young"! Depends on where you draw the baseline! If my memory serves me right, 23 years young would be acceptable!
OoRoo

I really like Imelda Staunton, but TBH I don’t understand why a re-make was needed. IMO there could never be a better version than that of the peerless Patricia Routledge.

I didn’t much care for the Sarah Lancashire one.

I hope they haven’t re-made ‘A Chip In The Sugar’ - I don’t see how that, or to be frank any of the previous ones could be bettered.

wonder if Alan Bennett based these characters on people he had come across in real life
Eloethan Hard to tell, but an odd sort of "real life" if he did!
They are all brilliant (haven't caught up with the new ones yet) and must surely be products of his imagination.
Btw; has he done anything similar with gentlemen?

I wonder if Alan Bennett ever reads Gransnet?
He would find rich pickings.

“A chip in the sugar” is performed by Martin Freeman, Witzend. Don’t know how it will compare - haven’t watched it yet.

I finished my Alan Bennett story last night at 21.05.

I must say, looking back at my 15yo sons, grumpy, monosyllabic, a stranger to soap & water, they were probably at their most unloveable at that point in time!

I get the reverse Oedipus thing but maybe it’s something Alan Bennet knew of from his own youth. Not necessarily him, as from what I’ve read of his upbringing that seems unlikely, but a friend, perhaps?

I suppose it’s well known that some mothers are very possessive of their sons, but anything else seems a step too far, and I would think, way off the mark.
The Imelda Staunton one was brilliant, I actually preferred it to the Patricia Routledge one.

It must be really difficult for an actor to reprise a much loved and well remembered character and make it their own. I think Imelda Staunton really succeeded in the part of The Woman of Letters. She was perfect for the part as was Patricia Routledge in the original.
The Sarah Lancashire monologue was brilliantly acted but made uncomfortable viewing.
How amazing - and what an honour - it must be to bring Alan Bennett's words to life

I agree mrswoo. Its a real honour for any actor to play one of Alan Bennett's characters.
BTW I gather your DH is a window cleaner now?

I enjoyed watching Imelda Staunton, she delivered the story with great feeling.
Sarah Lancashire on the other hand made my skin crawl and believe it will not do her any favours. DH asked what she was muttering about he said her speech was almost unintelligible.

When I looked up "Talking Heads" online there were originally 10 episodes and he did a further two for this rerun,Sarah Lancashire's is the first.On the info on TV there are 12 episodes which I think includes Thora Hird's Cream cracker under the setter. I read that he didn't think anyone could do it like she did so it is being shown with her as the original actress. I watched it online and it is superb, made me laugh and cry.She was also the same age as me in the episode which made me think of my life.

I always feel sorry for Oedipus, having a complex named after him. After all, he didn't find out he had married his mother until after the event, and if he loved her at all except for the kingdom she came with, it was in ignorance of the facts.

Not Freud's finest hour, I think

I watched Talking Heads last night and what a treat it was. Two amazing actresses. Imelda Staunton - fabulous and Sarah Lancaster- fantastic.

I’m going to watch tonight.
I adored Penelope Wilton, Eileen Atkins and Stephanie Cole in the originals.

Isn't it funny how we've all remembered so many of the original tales, and who played in them? testimony to how well written and well acted they were. The Penelope Wilton edition haunts me still.

Which one was Penelope Wilton in?