Talking Heads was originally written by Alan Bennett as a series of television monologues, though the format has since proved equally effective on radio and on stage. With a single character addressing the audience directly, the plays rely almost entirely on the strength of Bennett’s writing and the performer’s ability to bring these richly observed characters to life. The Next Act’s production at the Royal Scots Club demonstrates just how powerful that combination can be.
The company presents four monologues in total, performed in pairs across different evenings. At the performance I attended, the programme consisted of Bed Among the Lentils and A Lady of Letters. Having enjoyed these two so much, I suspect I shall have to return to catch Her Big Chance and A Cream Cracker Under the Settee.
Following the recent death of Dame Patricia Routledge, it seems almost criminal that the BBC has not made her iconic performance in A Lady of Letters more readily available. Routledge’s portrayal of Irene Ruddock remains one of the defining performances of the series. Fortunately, audiences at the Royal Scots Club have Diane Waugh, who delivers a performance of remarkable warmth, wit and precision in the role of the lonely spinster whose prolific letter writing eventually lands her in trouble.
Directed by Helen Schofield, A Lady of Letters is a thoroughly entertaining half hour. Waugh has complete command of both Bennett’s humour and the emotional undercurrents beneath it, capturing Irene’s loneliness without ever sacrificing the character’s comic appeal. The result is a performance that is as touching as it is funny.
The second monologue, Bed Among the Lentils, directed by Amy Dallas, shifts the tone considerably. Jen Ward gives a compelling performance as Susan, a vicar’s wife trapped by routine and dissatisfaction. While the piece lacks the overt humour of A Lady of Letters, it explores many of the same themes of isolation, disconnection and the search for meaning. Ward handles the emotional complexity of the role with sensitivity and honesty.
This is a delightful evening of theatre that revels in the craftsmanship of Bennett’s writing. Working with little more than a simple set, the cast and creative team capture the wit, melancholy and humanity that make Talking Heads such an enduring classic.
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