It’s always good to talk
AS FRESH and funny as they were three decades ago, Alan Bennett’s masterpieces are brought back to life with a cracking cast of Britain’s finest actors.
Ten of Bennett’s classic scripts, alongside two new ones from the acclaimed writer, have been filmed during lockdown under social distancing guidelines.
And every single episode is an absolute gem, with a cast that would be any producer’s wishlist – Jodie Comer, Monica Dolan, Martin Freeman, Tamsin Greig, Sarah Lancashire, Lesley Manville, Lucian Msamati, Maxine Peake, Rochenda Sandall, Kristin Scott Thomas, Imelda Staunton and Harriet Walter.
Tonight begins with a double bill, with Imelda Staunton playing Irene Ruddock in A Lady of Letters and Sarah Lancashire as Gwen in An Ordinary Woman.
Irene dashes off letters with her trusty fountain pen, with no thought for the many, many consequences of her complaints.
When she’s not writing, she’s peering out of her net curtains to snoop on the couple opposite and their “kiddy” who has bruises and looks filthy.
Meanwhile, Gwen has two children – Michael and Maureen. Michael is only 15 years old, but he seems much older than that. And Gwen is starting to have some unusual feelings.
Both performances are mesmerising, with scripts that are witty, poignant, tense and ever so slightly sinister.
Bennett says: “In such difficult circumstances, that the BBC should choose to remount both series of Talking Heads is a comfort and a huge compliment.
“I hope a new generation of actors will get and give as much pleasure as we did twenty and thirty years ago.”