The award winning Talking Heads TV Monologues, by Alan Bennett, are fondly remembered by many from the two series that ran in the 80s and 90s. They are now included within the English examination system for English and drama, bringing these excellently written pieces to a whole new audience.
Many of the themes are relevant to our society today and Alan Bennett has a fabulous knack of making the mundane sound like a humorous blockbuster movie, yet still full of massive warmth and understanding of the human condition.
The Algarvean Theatre Group are bringing four of the original monologues to life on stage this autumn at the Teatro Macarenhas Gregório in Silves for three nights from October 27 to 29.
Chris Winstanley, the director of the show said, “we are having great fun adapting these wonderfully scripted timeless pieces to the stage, my life is being made much easier as the for actors involved are fully committed to their parts and working hard to bring their characters to life. We are also excited to be performing in the Silves Theatre for the first time and its intimate setting, with the audience so close, will make it a night to remember!”
The evening will start with Bed Among The Lentils with a new actress to the group, Maria Ferrie, playing the part of Susan who is a bored vicar's wife with a vinegary wit and who reminisces about her life in a small parish. Her ironic encounters with members of her husband's flock and her relationship with a young Indian man. Closing the first act will be A Cream Cracker Under the Settee where long-standing Algarveans’ actress, Gloria Costa, will play Doris, an elderly lady who lives on her own and is starting to struggle with the day-to-day issues of life and circumstances. This mean she has a big decision to make!
The second act will start with A Chip in the Sugar in which Ian Macullagh plays the timid figure of Graham Whittaker who spends life caring for his aging mother but, a chance encounter could change their lives forever. Closing the show will be Lady of Letters with Melanie Winstanley playing Irene Ruddock, a lady who is not afraid to speak her mind through the medium of letters, a pastime which ultimately leads to a massive change in her life.
Tickets at €12 are available on algarveansboxoffice@gmail.com and book early, the reduced capacity of the Teatro Macarenhas Gregório will mean seats will be at a premium.
