In September this year, Scunthorpe Little Theatre Club (SLTC) are presenting some of the Talking Heads by Alan Bennett. Alan Bennett, who wrote The History Boys, The Madness of King George, and The Lady in the Van, is well known for his keenly observed characters and unexpected storylines. Talking Heads was originally produced by the BBC and ran to three series, featuring actors such as Maggie Smith, Thora Hurd and Julie Walters. The series became very popular, moving onto BBC Radio and international theatre, as well as becoming one of the best-selling audio book releases of all time and being included as part of both the A-level and GCSE English syllabus. Whilst SLTC can’t boast such illustrious actors, they have found that Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads transfers well to the theatre stage.Officially described as “dramatic monologues”, Talking Heads looks deep inside each character’s inner life, their mind, showing their real opinions, hopes and fears. These pieces draw the audience into the intense interior world that these incredible characters inhabit.
The show includes a piece that Alan Bennett himself played in the first ever Talking Heads episode, entitled A Chip in the Sugar. Mild mannered, middle-aged Graham Whittaker finds life becoming complicated as his mother, with whom he still lives, reunites with an old flame named Frank Turnbull. And is there really someone watching the house, or is it all in Graham’s mind? The second piece, A Lady of Letters, follows the story of a single and lonely spinster called Irene Ruddock. Irene has very particular ideas about how people should behave, and isn’t shy about telling them, or rather voicing her concerns in a stream of letters. The other piece that may also be performed is Her Big Chance, originally brought to life by Julie Walters. Lesley is an aspiring actress who, after a series of unpromising bit parts on television, is offered what she believes to be her breakout role in a new film for the West German market. However, Lesley has no idea what sort of film she will be shooting.
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett , directed by Sue Dolby, runs from Wednesday 17th to Saturday 20th September 2025, 7.30pm at the Plowright Theatre, Laneham Street, Scunthorpe DN15 6JT. Standard tickets are £12.00 each or £18.00 for two. Find out more at http://www.littletheatreclub.co.uk.