I'm such a huge Alan Bennett fan (he's also a nice man); adored Talking Heads first time round. Every actor a National Treasure. Patricia Routledge is, of course, and so is Imelda Staunton (I'm sure she's a Mike Leigh person; every decent British actor is). My only regret about this fabulous new series is that Thora Hird's Cracker isn't being done (I suspect because nobody could do it as well, let alone better). It was always my favourite of the lot. Please BBC show it again after the current run of remakes.

But the key thing is - this is art and entertainment of the finest kind. Something that makes me delighted to be British.

I love Bennett's writings..he weaves a spell and draws you in even when writing about mundane natters. genius.

I assume you mean Matters Hedda though they do all, by definition, natter!

Nice to hear they're doing this again. I loved Talking Heads and Alan Bennett's memoirs.

I found them to be quiet 'samey' after a while. It was normally about old people in their golden years; then we find out they are just very eccentric or deranged people. ( Alan Bennett goes in that category IMHO)

However last night episode was only for the shock factor.

Next time it be about a woman and having relations with her dog next.

Just to add my vote to the admirers list. A wonderful writer. If you have talent like his you can make anything captivating, including making a cup of tea; as well as anything funny, without ever having to resort to being nasty. Very, very few can do all this.

wyot wrote:
Just to add my vote to the admirers list. A wonderful writer. If you have talent like his you can make anything captivating, including making a cup of tea; as well as anything funny, without ever having to resort to being nasty. Very, very few can do all this.
He is a wonderful writer. Jimmy McGovern has that gift too. Forgive me for this digression but I’ve just been watching the last of the Moving On series called “Time Out”. There’s a scene where a guy on probation is giving swimming lessons to a single mum & her son.

“Lisa I’ve seen your doggy paddle, I nearly phoned animal rescue.”

Jimmy McGovern is brilliant, he captures human emotions superbly. Moving On needs to be on the evenings not daytime. My partner has all the episodes so far on her Sky box.

Mike Leigh, is another one I admire. I don't like all his films but Abigail's Party is very realistic; especially the dialogue about work and rota's just to make small conversation.

I knew people like Lawrence, who have very nice edition's of books just for display purposes but they actually don't read them.

I agree about Jimmy McGovern and Mike Leigh.

Here's a short Mike Leigh film that's quite cute.

A very very very young Thewlis! He was superb in Naked. Mike Leigh - genius at spotting & nurturing talent.

JK2006 wrote:
A very very very young Thewlis! He was superb in Naked. Mike Leigh - genius at spotting & nurturing talent.

Naked is one of my favourite films.

Ken Loach I don't mind but his films are propaganda.

Mundane natters can be accessed via Loose Women.

terrific film Jo.

David Thewlis is such a wonderful actor. Gets better with age.

I often think really eccentric writers like Alan Bennett who appear so normal are really baking mad.

Oh yes Hedda Mad as a Hatter but aren't we all?