The Complete Talking Heads
The Classic BBC Radio 4 Monologues Plus A Woman of No Importance
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The Complete Talking Heads
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Narrated by:
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Alan Bennett
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Patricia Routledge
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By:
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Alan Bennett
About this listen
The complete audio collection of Alan Bennett's celebrated monologues, published together for the first time and performed by some of Britain's best actors.
The Talking Heads monologues are widely regarded as one of Alan Bennett's finest dramatic achievements. First broadcast on BBC TV and BBC Radio 4 in the 1980s and 1990s, they won a host of awards and huge popular acclaim and remain among his most admired works today.
This collection includes all twelve Talking Heads, plus the precursor of that series, 'A Woman of No Importance'.
Beautifully crafted and full of compassion and wry observation, each tale is ripe with the quirky, insightful detail that has become Bennett's trademark. The monologues are: 'A Woman of No Importance' (Patricia Routledge); 'A Chip in the Sugar' (Alan Bennett); 'A Lady of Letters' (Patricia Routledge); 'Bed Among the Lentils' (Anna Massey); 'Soldiering On' (Stephanie Cole); 'Her Big Chance' (Julie Walters); 'A Cream Cracker Under the Settee' (ThoraHird); 'Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet' (Patricia Routledge); 'The Hand of God' (Eileen Atkins); 'Playing Sandwiches' (David Haig); 'The Outside Dog' (Julie Walters); 'Nights in the Gardens of Spain' (Penelope Wilton) and 'Waiting for the Telegram' (Thora Hird).
Intensely moving, deeply engrossing and highly entertaining, these spellbinding soliloquies are essential listening.
©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Complete Talking Heads
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Graham G Grant
- 03-01-20
Sheer brilliance ...
On the face of it, they’re living humdrum lives, but each of the characters delivering these compelling dramatic monologues has a story to tell that’s poignant, or hilarious, or both. Bennett’s mastery of diction is equalled by his talent for subtle storytelling - in this collection, we hear from (among others) the wife of a suspected serial killer; the alcoholic wife of a church minister; and a young actress (played by Julie Walters) who finds herself with a role in a semi-pornographic movie. This is perfect for Audible, a rich and satisfying listen - only wish it was longer.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- creativeange
- 01-04-19
Genius
A wonderful combination of some of our greatest actors and one of our greatest writers. A must listen to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- AH
- 11-03-19
Brilliant writer and story teller
Alan Bennett must surely be ranked as one of our best writers play-writes and story tellers. This collection of monologues is sublime. They are thought provoking, funny and sad all at the same time. We play them in the car and the journeys just whizz by.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 05-12-19
excellent.
reminded me of my mum. Thora Hird and Patricia Routledge so good to listen to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 16-06-23
Brilliant as usual AB is a genius of story telling
Romantic;nostalgic;funny; moving; thought provoking;
Genius . AB can turn something so mundane, into something magical. If you haven’t already acquainted yourself with his work, be quick because you’ll want to listen to it over and over again. Life is short, read good books listen to great writings.AB is a must.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-01-19
Brilliant, hilarious with a twist of darkness
Excellent, probably my record for the fastest audible listen, finished within 24hours and I will certainly be listening again. A range of engaging stories and characters, you’ll be laughing one minute and gasping the next!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tam Hewitt-Baker
- 18-02-19
human empathy and experience made monologue.
Alan Bennett never fails to take a touching appraisal of lives difficulties. Tender, empathetic, sometimes dark and always emotionally charged. Just lovely.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- E.Z. Riter
- 03-05-16
Brilliant!
What did you like most about The Complete Talking Heads?
Alan Bennett's understanding of life and somewhat eccentric characters is second to none.
What other book might you compare The Complete Talking Heads to, and why?
None
Have you listened to any of Alan Bennett and Patricia Routledge ’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Patricia Routledge in almost all that she does, but for audio performance "Ladies of Letters' stands out as one of her finest performances.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
If Alan Bennett intends his work to be funny it is; if he intends it to be sad it is; if he intends it to be moving it always is.
Any additional comments?
So glad to find this. I have seen the TV broadcasts of these mini-dramas and they translate very well indeed to audio - in fact, I think I prefer the audio version.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-04-17
brilliant
a brilliant listen from a wonderful writer with fantastic actors. really found it enjoyable to listen to
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Falco
- 28-06-16
superb
Alan Bennett's Talking Heads is a masterclass in monologue - get it today and revel.
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