TALKING HEADS

by Alan Bennett

Burnley Garrick

Directed by Marilyn Crowther

 

Watching two experts of their craft bringing to life the words of Alan Bennett, on stage at the ACE Centre, was a wonderfully rewarding night at the theatre where The Garrick presented two monologues from the “Talking Heads” series. The first night was ninety minutes of sheer joy and one which will keep the audience laughing for a long time.

 

Alan Hargreaves, as Graham Whittaker, performed “A Chip in the Sugar” and he took on the persona of Bennett himself, with a soft Yorkshire accent, the faintest hint of campness and a delivery that transported us into his closeted world of a man, living with his mother, and being somewhat bewildered by his mother’s rekindled romance, after a chance encounter in the street with her old flame. This was storytelling at its very best.  The throwaway line, “I didn’t comment” caused laughter each time it occurred and what a lot of laughter there is in this very observant view of the life of a somewhat lonely man.

 

On a very simple set, the bedroom on a raised dais centre stage, the window overlooking the other side of the street, an armchair SL and a table with two stand chairs SR was all that was required as Alan moved around the stage, pointing each section of the monologue with ease.  This was his home, his world, indeed, his life. We could have felt sad for this lonely man, but his outlook on life was such that his happiness with his lot was all that we could wish.  His mother’s rekindling of a romance with Frank Turnbull, her old flame, caused Graham some unease but when she was confronted with the facts, life settled back down to his cosy, somewhat introverted existence.

 

This was a masterclass in storytelling by the two Alans, Bennett and Hargreaves.

 

Eleanor Jolley, as Susan, the alcoholic wife of a vicar who loved his flock more than he did his wife gave another superb performance.  We could understand her frustration at being second fiddle to the parishioners and conjuring up a life in an area where she felt she didn’t belong.  The flower arranging section was so vividly brought to life that we could almost see the conker being the pivotal focus of the altar decoration.  Going to a Leeds off-licence to buy the alcohol after raiding the communion wine, and meeting Ramesh was again beautifully portrayed and the line “So I did” brought gales of laughter from a delighted first night audience.

 

This was also played on a simple set with the altar of the church centre stage behind which was a beautiful stained-glass window.

The visual images that Bennett conjures up with his economy of language leads to masterful storytelling.  Anyone who has been involved in parochial politics, either as an observer or participant, will appreciate all the attitudes conveyed.  Susan, the vicar’s wife always felt she was second-fiddle to her husband’s flock but really couldn’t understand why there was such ill-feeling towards her when she didn’t attend Evensong.  When she was questioning whether it was essential that a vicar ‘s wife should also believe in God, Susan’s very pointed question, “Does a barrister’s wife have to attend court?” gave the answer.

 

Both Alan and Eleanor are experts in the craft of storytelling, and in bringing to life the characters created by Alan Bennett.  Diction, timing, rise and fall in dialogue were all beautifully observed. The humour in the monologue flowed naturally and we, as an audience, were at one with them.

 

The sets were simple and well presented, the properties were excellent and wardrobe was true to the players. The quality of the sound was superb with not a word lost, and the lighting faded absolutely on cue.

 

This Garrick presentation was excellent in every way and provided the perfect antidote to cold March evenings.

 

Marilyn Crowther, as director, should be very proud of her players and her production.

 

Thank you all for a wonderful evening.