Alone and injured, she wonders whether the only place left for her in society is a. Doris is an elderly, but independent woman who suffers a fall while tidying up. Talking heads a chip in the sugarlady of lettersa cream. Feb 19, 2020 hird, who won a bafta in 1989 for performing alan bennetts solo piece a cream cracker under the settee in the original talking heads series on the bbc, was proud of being a morecambe lass. May 24, 2017 a cream cracker under the settee doris thora hird finds herself in a predicament in alan bennetts classic talking heads monologue. Nov 15, 2019 watch alan bennetts talking heads s02 e06. Talking heads bbc one london 24 may 1988 bbc genome. Her film credits included the love match, the entertainer, a kind of lo. It was the sixth and final episode of the first series of talking heads. Apr 7, 2016 a cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking heads youtube stay safe and healthy. Here read by bryan melton in the style of the author.
Also includes bennett reading his telling tales piece. Mar 09, 2012 originally written for thora hird as one of allan bennetts talking heads monologues. A cream cracker under the settee 1988, talking heads. A cream cracker under the settee doris thora hird finds herself in a predicament in alan bennetts classic talking heads monologue. Cracker under the settee is played out as a monologue by doris thora hird. Stephanie cole as doris, a role made famous by thora hird. Doris, aged seventyfive, is a tidy woman and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her considerably less thorough home help, zulema, it becomes apparent that her constant nagging may have been responsible for her husbands early death. Mar 16, 2003 the first solo he created for her, a cream cracker under the settee, in the original talking heads series, won her first bafta award in 1988.
A cream cracker under the settee thora hird series two 7. The series became very popular, moving onto bbc radio, international theatre, becoming one of the bestselling audio book releases of all time and included as part of both the a level and. Last programme in the series with thora hird in a cream cracker under the settee an independent old lady has a fall that decides her future. A cream cracker under the settee bbc two england, 20 august 1992 21. A cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking heads the wonderful thora hird rip a cream cracker under the settee written by alan bennett. Her film credits included the love match 1955, the entertainer 1960, a kind of loving 1962 and the nightcomers 1971. Talking heads a chip in the sugarlady of lettersa cream cracker under the settee closed. Thora, who was born in morecambe in 1911 and died in 2003, was also a threetimes best actress bafta award winner for her roles in talking heads. Accompanying the last of the sun are two bestselling talking head monologues, a cream cracker under the settee and waiting for the telegram. Talking heads series wikimili, the free encyclopedia. In one of alan bennetts six talking heads monologues, a cream cracker under the settee, she memorably portrayed a. One of the highlights of television drama in the 1980s.
Dame thora hird, dbe 28 may 1911 15 march 2003 was an english actress and comedienne of stage and screen, presenter and writer. Doris is an elderly widow who suffered a fall at home. Dame thora hird, 28 may 1911 15 march 2003 was an english actress and comedienne of stage and screen, presenter and writer. It was first performed by thora hird on television in 1988. Talking heads and new show called searching for the. Talking heads is a complete collection of bennetts twelve masterful monologues, performed by the author and some of britains leading actors. Oct 01, 2001 nothing like a dame is a combined volume of thora hird s two volumes of memoir.
This groundbreaking series of dramatic monologues offers viewers an intimate look at the lives of seemingly. Talking heads a cream cracker under the settee tv episode. This groundbreaking series of dramatic monologues offers viewers an intimate look at. Marlene sidaway as doris in a cream cracker under the settee. This performance, thora s last, is very moving and memorable. Sometimes poignant, sometimes bittersweet, the standard of writing and acting was uniformly supreme, bennett writing each with a specific actor in mind. A cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking heads.
Apr 7, 2016 a cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking heads youtube. A threetime winner of the bafta tv award for best actress, she won for talking heads. Made famous by thora hird in the original tv series. Music by george fenton costume designer hazel pethig lighting director clive thomas designer tony burrough producer innes lloyd director stuart burge 0 feature. Waiting for the telegram 1998 and lost for words 1999. Talking heads is a complete collection of bennetts six masterful monologues, performed by the authour and five of britains leading actresses. A monologue by alan bennett, starring thora hird as an. A cream cracker under the settee doris, voiced by thora hird, 75 widow, lives alone. Morecambe campaign seeks to honour dame thora hird with. Scene and hird and is it thora, published in 1976 and 1996 respectfully. Hird, who won a bafta in 1989 for performing alan bennetts solo piece a cream cracker under the settee in the original talking heads series on the bbc, was proud of being a morecambe lass. A cream cracker under the settee is a monologue piece written by alan bennett in 1988. In 1987 thora hird filled several roles in alan bennetts talking heads series. A monologue by alan bennett, starring thora hird as an independent old lady who has a fall that decides her future.
Her performance in a cream cracker under the settee in which she played the houseproud doris, who suffers a fall. Her performance in a cream cracker under the settee in which. Thora hird had been around since the thirties and was a fine character actress. A cream cracker under the settee by alan bennett essay. Doris, aged seventy five, is a tidy woman and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her. Talking heads, series 1, a cream cracker under the. The series became very popular, moving onto bbc radio, international theatre, becoming one of the bestselling audio book releases of all time and included as part of both the alevel and gcse english syllabus. Hird could perform comedy and tragedy with equal strength. A cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking. Campaign for thora hird statue in morecambe gets tv boost. The first solo he created for her, a cream cracker under the settee, in the original talking heads series, won her first bafta award in 1988. Patricia routledge stars in a lady of letters, maggie smith in bed among the lentils, stephanie cole in soldiering on, julie walters in her big chance, thora hird in a cream cracker under the settee, patricia routledge in miss fozzard finds her feet, eileen atkins in the hand of god, david haig in playing sandwiches, julie.
A cream cracker under the settee is a dramatic monologue written by alan bennett in 1987 for television, as part of his talking heads series for the bbc. Doris, in a cream cracker under the settee, has suffered a fall, and gradually realises that noone will come to her aid. Mar 17, 2003 in 1987 thora hird filled several roles in alan bennetts talking heads series. In a career spanning over 70 years, she appeared in more than 100 film and television roles, becoming a household name and a british institution. In a career spanning over 70 years, she appeared in more. The likes of thora hird, patricia routledge, maggie smith and julie walters deliver a masterclass in the art of character acting. The title is alan bennetts challenge to the adage that talking heads make for bad tv. Originally written for thora hird as one of allan bennetts talking heads monologues. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Like the previous hird bennett monologue, a cream cracker under the settee bbc, tx. Bennett explores various themes in the play which skilfully use devices to maintain the audiences interest. Her reminiscences about happier days, when the neighbours greeted each other and there was no need to lock the door, will bring a lump to the most cynical of throats.
For those not familiar with talking heads, these were two, hugely successful series of monologues written for television broadcast by the bbc in 1988 and 1989. This 2001 collection of both books also includes a detailed chorological of her life and career up to 1998. Mar 17, 2003 hird could perform comedy and tragedy with equal strength. Originally broadcasted on the bbc, thora hird was the first actress to take on the role of doris and was awarded a bafta for best actress. Dame thora hird, dbe was an english actress and comedienne of stage and screen, presenter and writer. Dame thora hird, dbe, 91, 28th may 1911 15th march 2003 was an english actress and comedian of stage and screen, presenter and writer. It wasnt alternative, but it was realistic and optimistic it was never too late, a 19801981 bbc radio 4 comedy by terry gregson, starring the brilliant english character actors thora hird, megs jenkins, avis bunnage and joe gladwin. Her character faced a lonely death after a fall in the. In one of alan bennetts six talking heads monologues, a cream cracker under the settee, she memorably portrayed a bitter widow, doris. The series became very popular, moving onto bbc radio, international theatre, becoming one of the bestselling audio book releases of all time and included as part of both the a level and gcse english syllabus. Watch talking heads season 1, episode 6 a cream cracker under the settee.
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