Details

A series of monologues, funny and poignant, normally from two to four of these would be performed at a time. A Cream Cracker Under The Settee tells of an old woman who has a fall, but her pride doesn't allow her to accept help. Bed Among the Lentils tells of a woman with a drink problem, married to a vicar who exploits her recovery actually caused by an affair with an Indian shopkeeper. A Lady of Letters is the story of a woman obsessed with writing letters of complaint and reporting her neighbours who eventually finds comfort in prison. Soldiering On is the tale of a well-to-do woman who finds one day that she's a widow and her husband has left her ill equipped to handle her own affairs - and her son loses her money in bad investments. The Shrine - Lorna visits the spot where her husband Clifford's motorbike crashed, hoping for some closure. They had a tranquil, happy marriage. But one day she finds someone else has left some flowers on the site she has turned into a shrine. Monica Dolan plays Lorna. Bed Among the Lentils - Alone most of the day in the vicarage, Susan's life revolves around the church, her husband and his fan club of flower-arranging parishioners. Shopping one night at a local grocery, she discovers what life has to offer through its beautiful young proprietor. Lesley Manville plays Susan.

Cast/Performers

Monica Dolan (The Shrine), Lesley Manville (Bed Among the Lentils)

Creatives/Company

Author: Alan Bennett
Director(s): Nicholas Hytner (The Shrine), Nicholas Hytner (Bed Among the Lentils)
Design(s): Bunny Christie, Luke Halls (video)
Lighting: Jon Clark
Sound: Gareth Fry
Music: George Fenton