callmemadam (callmemadam) wrote,
callmemadam
callmemadam

TV Watch: Alan Bennett at 80

Yesterday evening I watched Nicholas Hytner’s interview with Alan Bennett. No great revelations, a few good anecdotes, plenty of clips from his films and plays. The programme was followed by A Chip in the Sugar, a monologue performed by Bennett himself, then one of the Talking Heads monologues: Maggie Smith wonderful in The Bed among the Lentils.

I notice that this evening BBC 4 (the only channel, as far as I’m concerned) is showing An Englishman Abroad. This is Bennett’s film about Coral Browne meeting Guy Burgess in Moscow. I remember enjoying it very much when it was first shown, although I don’t share Bennett’s sympathy for traitors. I’m rather looking forward to seeing it again.

englishmanabroad

Coral Browne and Alan Bates in An Englishman Abroad. 1983? I can’t believe it was so long ago.
Tags: alan bates, alan bennett, maggie smith, television
Subscribe

  • TV watch next week …

    I don’t want anyone to miss this! On 23rd February at 8.30 Lucy Worsley investigates what the Blitz Spirit means, by looking at the lives of…

  • TV watch: Call My Agent (Dix Pour Cent) new season

    I was thrilled to find that season four of Call my Agent would start this week. I’ve watched two episodes and am pleased to report that it’s as good…

  • TV watch: The Crown

    At last, I’ve finished watching season four of The Crown and what a dreary disappointment it was. Here are some impressions you may get from…

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    switch
    default userpic

    Your reply will be screened

    Your IP address will be recorded 

    When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed.
    You must follow the Privacy Policy and Google Terms of use.
    Help
  • 0 comments