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

We would still be feeling uncomfortable Oopsminty
I was shocked 30 years ago or more when I heard how common incest was. A friend who used her inheritance to open a refuge for "battered wives" told me as did a social worker.

I was rather put off this new round of Talking Heads after watching A Lady of Letters, I think it's called, with Imelda Staunton. I think she is a great actress but I was much more engaged with and convinced by Patricia Routledge's portrayal.

So it was only yesterday that I watched Martin Freeman in A Chip in the Sugar. I didn't think anyone could match Alan Bennett's "Graham" but I was wrong. I thought MF was absolutely brilliant (though apparently some people complained about his accent).

I also watched Rochenda Sandall in The Outside Dog - a very dark tale. I thought she was brilliant but I found the actual story very unpleasant. I did wonder if it was based on the case of a real life serial killer and his wife.

I couldn't quite understand The Outside Dog. Were we supposed to think the wife's neuroticism was her defence against her husband? was Tina the dog some sort of symbol?

Maybe her obsessive cleaning was like Lady Macbeth's.

Oopsminty But again, I ask how would we have felt had it been from a bloke's point of view? An ordinary man fancying his 15 year old daughter? Using the same script? Would we be grateful to have been stretched by that scenario? I just don't think we would.

I agree. I also agree with Nortsat's earlier post in that these episodes are all a bit too dark and depressing for me at the moment while living in isolation and shielding. I want something lighter.

Greeneyedgirl

I know I am in a minority of one here, but I am finding these monologues a tadge stale, time warped, and a teeny bit patronising, despite the extremely good cast of actors.
I loved them when they were first performed, and some of his other work such as Lady in the Van.
The exception, so far has been a new one, An Ordinary Woman superbly portrayed by Sarah Lancashire.
IMO the job of drama should be to challenge ideas and stereotypes, even if uncomfortable at times.

May I join your minority please?
I loved Talking Heads first time round - perhaps I am showing my age but sadly I feel Imelda Staunton, Martin Freeman etc have not captured the magic of Alan Bennett’s insight , or indeed his “voice”.
Perhaps nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

I thought Lesley Manville was excellent in A Bed of Lentils. Her change in looks was amazing. It must have been challenging to take on a role originally done by Maggie Smith, but how awful would it be if we looked on all roles and said they couldn't be done as well as the first person to do them. A new actor brings something different to the role.

Lesley Manville is excellent in everything she does, I've just read that she will play Princess Margaret in her later years in the final parts of "The Crown"

Having watched Martin Freeman ( A Chip In The Sugar) I thought ( although he’s a good actor) that he wasn’t right for this part.He came over as too mentally sharp and normal tbh.

Then I watched Nights In The Gardens Of Spain ( never saw this one before) and thought it was really well done by Tamsin Grieg, although I imagine it would also have been very good done by Penelope Wilton.

Must watch two more episodes tonight.

I have watched five now, Imelda Staunton, Sarah Lancashire, Jodie Comer, Martin Freeman and one about a park keeper. They were all so powerful and moving in different ways. However, the park keeper one I found really uncomfortable and unsettling. Almost wish I hadn't watched it.......

Me too. I think I have seen them all now. 2 per night. The voice of Alan Bennett coming through never fails to have me giggling, however grim the topic.
He is a genius.