BBC Revives Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads Monologues

Jodie Comer and Martin Freeman are among those taking part in the new productions of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads monologues, which first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998.

Ten of the original pieces will be remade, with the addition of two new ones written by Bennett last year. They are produced by Nicholas Hytner’s London Theatre Company and Kevin Loader and will air in the coming months on BBC One.

The monologues that will air on BBC One in the coming months are Jodie Comer in Her Big Chance (1988), directed by Josie Rourke; Monica Dolan in The Shrine (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner; Martin Freeman in A Chip In The Sugar (1988), directed by Jeremy Herrin; Tamsin Greig in Nights In The Garden of Spain (1998), directed by Marianne Elliott; Sarah Lancashire in An Ordinary Woman (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner; Lesley Manville in Bed Among The Lentils (1988), directed by Nicholas Hytner; Lucian Msamati in Playing Sandwiches (1998), directed by Jeremy Herrin; Maxine Peake in Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet (1988), directed by Sarah Frankcom; Rochenda Sandall in The Outside Dog (1998), directed by Nadia Fall; Kristin Scott Thomas in The Hand Of God (1998), directed by Jonathan Kent; Imelda Staunton in A Lady Of Letters (1988), directed by Jonathan Kent; and Harriet Walter in Soldiering On (1988), directed by Marianne Elliott.

Filming is taking place at BBC Elstree Studios using existing sets. The Talking Heads production team is following the latest government guidelines on COVID-19 to ensure that the series is made safely and responsibly.

Bennett said: “In such difficult circumstances, that the BBC should choose to remount both series of Talking Heads, and produce two entirely new ones, is a comfort and a huge compliment. I hope a new generation of actors will get and give as much pleasure as we did 20 and 30 years ago.”

Nicholas Hytner, Bennett’s long-term collaborator and lead director and producer, said: “Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads are among the masterworks of one of the very greatest writers in TV, film and theater history.

“It has been a profound and fascinating experience to work out a way of making them again, this time with a company of phenomenal actors who are the equal of those who first made them; with a group of leading theatre directors, colleagues and friends of long standing; and with a team behind the camera that represents the best of the British TV and film industries.

“It is a wonderful bonus that two of the 2020 Talking Heads are totally new, written only a short time before the current crisis began. Everyone involved has been working in an unprecedented way, rigorously observing social distancing, entirely rethinking ways of filmmaking that until a few weeks ago seemed routine. The shoot will never bring any of us within touching distance of each other, but I hope that in every other way it will reach out and touch millions of viewers. We are all of us beyond grateful to the BBC for setting us this challenge.”

Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama, said: “COVID-19 has laid waste to drama production in the U.K., but it has also posed a challenge: how do we adhere to restrictions while still offering British viewers the chance to lose themselves in great stories at this time of national need?

“Full of insight, wit, daring and compassion, these are stories of individual lives—but of great resonance. I am so grateful to Alan, Nicholas Hytner, Kevin Loader and the whole team for the caution, ingenuity and wisdom which they have shown in bringing these stories to the screen.”