Talking Heads

[lotusbell]

Anyone remember the original and will you be watching the new one? I studied it at A Level and still have my copy with all my notes in.

Yes and yes! Sarah Lancashire is one of my favourite actresses so I’m really looking forward to her new monologue tonight. Alan Bennett can do no wrong in my eyes!

In the middle of Martin Freeman one, love it it's making me laugh he acts so well.
What a treat these are!

Oh I didn't know they're on already! Going to watch the SL one now.

It's unusual!

I don’t think I will tbh. The originals are the best, no matter how good the actors are for the reboots. Maybe I’m being too much of a traditionalist!

There's two new monologues Saucery.

Loving these! Read them recently and have been able to watch some of the originals. All brilliant so far.

A right treat, these.

(It strikes me how I never really write in my accent).

I love the originals. I have them on audio book and often listen to the when I can't sleep. I reckon I could recite fair chunks of them if i tried.

I hadn't realised the new ones were starting so soon - hoping I will love them almost as much as the originals.

The casting is great but I really don't see the point. Surely he could have written a few more new ones?

Can't wait to watch these also studied them for A Levels . Love his work and I'm looking forward to seeing the updates, I've tried to explain them to DH to persuade him to watch them so far no dice .

Imelda's a legend. Captures the sour tragedy of Miss Ruddock in a way that makes me wince when I think of a couple of new retirees I know.

I love this . I can hear the original, even as she speaks.

The first series was on just before I started my GCSEs. (1988)

The Sarah Lancashire one was very unsettling. Brilliantly acted by her but disturbing.

I didn't see the originals but I love Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville. I'm enjoying Lady of Letters.

Absolutely loved the originals of these. Didn't realise there were two new ones. Will definitely be watching.

The Sarah Lancashire one was very unsettling. Brilliantly acted by her but disturbing.

You're not kidding there!

I couldn't watch the Sarah Lancashire one to the end, I found it incredibly disturbing and distasteful. Also too long. A real disappointment.

Had to turn off the Sarah Lancashire one - it made me feel ill

It was certainly disturbing. I wonder if there was anything in particular that inspired it.

I agree with those saying the Sarah Lancashire one was disturbing. As the parent of a teenage boy I was just glad I'd sent him out the room when they mentioned disturbing scenes at the beginning

I thought it was me taking it too personally. I was very wary of watching to the end although it wasnt too bad really. Just a bit weird .
Given the wealth of subject matter Alan Bennett writes about why did this have to be the one that made it to the much loved talking heads series.

Glad I’m not the only one that found that disturbing. I don’t remember how the originals were staged, only heard on radio, - did they have sets or was it just someone sitting in a chair?

There were sets in the TV show.

I've watched the first two - Imelda Staunton took what had been Patricia Routledge's role in "A lady of Letters".

I love Imelda - but it wasn't the same. I preferred the original.

I can't remember "an Ordinary Woman" at all from the originals, and TBH I thought it was very unpleasant (not a criticism Sarah Lancashire - she's excellent - I just didn't like the subject at all). Can anyone tell me who took this part first time round? It might jog my memory. Next is "Soldiering on" with Harriet Walter - I like her overmuch, but I enjoyed Stephanie Cole in this part, so I'll have to wait and see,