Talking Heads: No. 1 (BBC Radio Collection)

Performed by the author and five of Britain's leading actresses, Alan Bennett's tales are full of quirky, insightful detail that bring the characters vividly to life. From Julie Walters' portrayal of an actress seeking fame to Anna Massey's alcoholic vicar's wife, these individuals are linked by their self-delusion, desperation, and vulnerability. In these compelling pieces, Bennett displays the wry observation, knowing irony, and tender understatement that have ensured his rightful place at the forefront of contemporary writing. The stories included are: A Chip in the Sugar, read by Alan Bennett; A Lady of Letters, read by Patricia Routledge; Bed Among the Lentils, read by Anna Massey; Soldiering On, read by Stephanie Cole; Her Big Chance, read by Julie Walters; and A Cream Cracker Under the Settee, read by Thora Hird.

3 CDs. 3 hrs 15 mins.

Alan Bennett's television series Talking Heads has become a modern-day classic, as have many of his works for the stage, including Forty Years On, The Lady in the Van, The Madness of George III (together with the Oscar-nominated screenplay The Madness of King George), and an adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. The History Boys won the Evening Standard and Critics' Circle awards for Best Play, The Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play, and the South Bank Award.