If you enjoyed this monologue, PLEASE do yourself a service and check out these other brilliant Bennet works.... A Woman of no Importance, A Lady of Letters, Ms. Fozzard finds her Feet, Soldiering On, A Chip in the Sugar, Bed Among the Lentils, Waiting for the Telegram, A Cream Cracker under the Settee, The Outside Dog... they are all some of my favorite words ever put to paper!
So far I've seen Bed Among the Lentils with the inimitable Maggie Smith RIP, A Chip in the Sugar, A Lady of Letters, A woman of No Importance and this one. Thanks for sharing some of Alan Bennett's other works!
Funny that 'Playing Sandwiches' is rarely mentioned, and not included in most people's list of Talking Heads. The subject matter to scary for them, I guess.
She had me at "at aging Volvo half way across England" It's wonderful how she portrasy Celia in such a way that we see her flaws, her snobbery, her contempt, and yet how easy it is to develop some compassion for this character. I think she lives in all of us.
The height of brilliant acting paired with brilliantly observed writing -- her every nuance, furrowed or arched brow, sneer, and there are hundreds in this brief piece - how DOES she do it? So .... meaty!
Oh the irony that the trick of pretending to be interested in something other than what you are really interested in, that Celia talks loftily of at the beginning, is then played on her by the ‘young blood from Christie’s’ who buys the frame with the Michelangelo encased. Brilliant writing by Alan Bennett. I remember watching this when it was first shown on the BBC way back in 1988 and being enthralled.
There is nothing like a real actor, a seasoned and intelligent actor, who knows what she's doing and has good material. Eileen Atkins should live forever. First time I saw her was in the seventies on TV with Richard Chamberlain in "The Lady's Not for Burning," which sometimes gets posted on UA-cam. She was lovely and as good as I'd heard she was supposed to be. Oh, god. I will never get to see her on stage. Damnit.
I saw this onstage in New York, 15 or 20 years ago, and was reminded of it recently--thought 'Wonder if that's on UA-cam"--of course it was. I don't think it was Atkins I saw. I think it was someone less renowned--but as I remember it the performance was actually better. The ending wasn't so strictly pathetic--the character mixed pathos with a rueful self-awareness, She felt sorry for herself, but couldn't hide a hint of acknowledgement that she got what she deserved. She appreciated the irony. I don't feel that here. Edit---An internet search reveals the actress I saw was Brenda Wehle. I've never heard of her and she doesn't have a Wikipedia page. She apparently won an Obie for her performance, though, and on one night, at least, she was better than the illustrious Eileen Atkins (in my amateur opinion).
I wasn't particularly warming up to the character, but in the end I was rather sorry. Not so much about the hand of god, but more about the chutney. Dame Eileen is incomparable, of course.
An extraordinary actress, starring in an extraordinary monologue. It's as slowly and subtly built as it is deliciously wicked in terms of her character's comeuppance. Best wishes!...
Wow, what a powerful story of hubris!
If you enjoyed this monologue, PLEASE do yourself a service and check out these other brilliant Bennet works.... A Woman of no Importance, A Lady of Letters, Ms. Fozzard finds her Feet, Soldiering On, A Chip in the Sugar, Bed Among the Lentils, Waiting for the Telegram, A Cream Cracker under the Settee, The Outside Dog... they are all some of my favorite words ever put to paper!
So far I've seen Bed Among the Lentils with the inimitable Maggie Smith RIP, A Chip in the Sugar, A Lady of Letters, A woman of No Importance and this one. Thanks for sharing some of Alan Bennett's other works!
I love these! I wish we could get a complete “Waiting for the Telegram” too. I listen to these over and over. Love them! Thanks for this channel 🙏🏼🥰❣️
@@karenhartman9774After reading your post I searched the internet and found the complete episode on Daily Motion. It’s worth the effort.
Funny that 'Playing Sandwiches' is rarely mentioned, and not included in most people's list of Talking Heads. The subject matter to scary for them, I guess.
Plus one of my all time favourites ' The Clothes they stood up in'
Brilliant
I like it because you can hear every single glittering word.
She had me at "at aging Volvo half way across England" It's wonderful how she portrasy Celia in such a way that we see her flaws, her snobbery, her contempt, and yet how easy it is to develop some compassion for this character. I think she lives in all of us.
These monologues are just marvelous. So typically, and perfectly Bennett. I adore them.
"Teddy bears are a minefield!" love that line.
I found this really gripping and a little ironic, but that’s what makes Alan Bennett such a great writer. He knows how to keep the audience attention.
The height of brilliant acting paired with brilliantly observed writing -- her every nuance, furrowed or arched brow, sneer, and there are hundreds in this brief piece - how DOES she do it? So .... meaty!
Oh the irony that the trick of pretending to be interested in something other than what you are really interested in, that Celia talks loftily of at the beginning, is then played on her by the ‘young blood from Christie’s’ who buys the frame with the Michelangelo encased. Brilliant writing by Alan Bennett. I remember watching this when it was first shown on the BBC way back in 1988 and being enthralled.
Such a wonderful actress, She invites you into her world and you find yourself, there inside with her, without having noticed how/when it happened.
Absolutely brilliant...
When I have finished an Alan Bennett monologue I feel so full, stimulated and stunned at the same time. What just happened?
I love it! Sells the chutney after all!!
Dame Eileen Atkins is mesmerizing. Thank you for posting this.
Holy cow !!!!! What a twist. Yikes! Terrific storytelling.
so clever,so subtle ,so enjoyable .Thanks Alan and you for sharing.
There is nothing like a real actor, a seasoned and intelligent actor, who knows what she's doing and has good material. Eileen Atkins should live forever. First time I saw her was in the seventies on TV with Richard Chamberlain in "The Lady's Not for Burning," which sometimes gets posted on UA-cam. She was lovely and as good as I'd heard she was supposed to be. Oh, god. I will never get to see her on stage. Damnit.
I just did, 3 days ago. I came away thinking "My God, you can't 'see' her acting - at all, ever. Same as in this short piece
Thank you for posting this. Alan Bennett is a treasure and Eileen Atkins is simply brilliant!
Alan Bennett. Brilliance with a pen.
Splendid! Both the program, and Eileen Atkins - none better than she.
I agree, Alan Bennett is brilliant in his portrayal of life...
that was wonderful
Brilliant!!!! A true treasure!!! Thank you.
Thank you for posting it. Alan Bennett is my all-time hero :)
So lovely, so funny...I have to go now, but I can't wait to get back and experience more of Ms Atkin's enthralling work...
Absolutely brilliant!
"Beetroot slacks." "Wizened egg custard."
Absolutely Brilliant ❤
Brilliant!
BRAVO!!!
Nasty vampire. Brilliant piece.
Very enjoyable. Thank you.
Brilliant. Love it.
she is so funny xxx
Very Bennett. Witty , very bleak , human
WOW!
exelent.
Dame Eileen is great in "Doc Martin" also.
I saw this onstage in New York, 15 or 20 years ago, and was reminded of it recently--thought 'Wonder if that's on UA-cam"--of course it was. I don't think it was Atkins I saw. I think it was someone less renowned--but as I remember it the performance was actually better. The ending wasn't so strictly pathetic--the character mixed pathos with a rueful self-awareness, She felt sorry for herself, but couldn't hide a hint of acknowledgement that she got what she deserved. She appreciated the irony. I don't feel that here.
Edit---An internet search reveals the actress I saw was Brenda Wehle. I've never heard of her and she doesn't have a Wikipedia page. She apparently won an Obie for her performance, though, and on one night, at least, she was better than the illustrious Eileen Atkins (in my amateur opinion).
I won't touch pictures. I've seen too many fingers burned.
Teddy bears are a minefield.
She is in Doc Martin as his Aunt
Teddy Bears are a minefield 😂😂
Damn - how sad.
a tisket a tasket! lol
❤
I wasn't particularly warming up to the character, but in the end I was rather sorry. Not so much about the hand of god, but more about the chutney. Dame Eileen is incomparable, of course.
An extraordinary actress, starring in an extraordinary monologue. It's as slowly and subtly built as it is deliciously wicked in terms of her character's comeuppance. Best wishes!...