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TALKING BENNETT

Who is Alan Bennett? Talking Heads creator, actor and screenwright

ALAN Bennett's famous Talking Heads monologues are returning to TV.

We take a look at the incredible life and career of the famous playwright.

Alan Bennett is a playwright and actor
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Alan Bennett is a playwright and actorCredit: Getty Images

Who is Alan Bennett?

Alan Bennett, 86, is an English actor, author, playwright, and screenwriter.

He was born in Leeds on May 9, 1934 and attended Oxford University, where he studied history and performed with the Oxford Revue.

He gave up academia, and turned to writing full-time with his first stage play - Forty Years On - being produced in 1968.

In 1988, Alan declined the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire and then in 1996 he turned down a knighthood.

Alan in Talking Heads monologue A Chip In The Sugar
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Alan in Talking Heads monologue A Chip In The SugarCredit: BBC

Who is Alan Bennett's partner?

Alan is in a relationship with Rupert Thomas.

He is the editor of The World of Interiors magazine.

The pair live in Primrose Hill in London.

Alan seen here with his partner Rupert Thomas
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Alan seen here with his partner Rupert ThomasCredit: Rex Features

What are Alan Bennett's best-known plays?

Of course Talking Heads is Alan's best-known work - it is even taught in schools for English GCSE and A-Level.

But his other notable work includes:

  • Forty Years On (1968)
  • Kafka's Dick (1986)
  • Single Spies (1988)
  • The Madness of George III (1991)
  • The Lady in the Van (1999)
  • The History Boys (2004)
  • The Habit of Art (2009)

When did Alan Bennett write the Talking Heads monologues?

Alan wrote Talking Heads back in 1987.

The monologues were then turned into a TV show back in the 80s and 90s.

They are back on the small screen, with the new series of Talking Heads kicking off TONIGHT (June 23, 2020) at 9pm on BBC One.

Sarah Lancashire and Martin Freeman lead the cast in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads
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