Alan Bennett The Lady in The Van Interview [ Subtitled ]

Paul Merton Interviews Alex Jennings & Alan Bennett. For more go to ----------

[@malacca1951]

As Alan B was born very near to where I live now, I have a great affection for him and his work. I visited the 'film-set' in Camden Town which was his house in real life. It was surreal to stand on the exact part of the drive where the van was parked and look around what felt so 'real'. I've met Alan in Leeds many times and the last time, in the Station, I asked for a photo. He said, 'I don't mind, but be sharp; I want to go into Marks and Spencer to get a cucumber sandwich!' Classic Bennett!

[@revol148]

@malacca1951 don't you think he plays up to his character a little too much?

[@malacca1951]

@@revol148 Do you mean he 'plays up to his character' in Lady In The Van, or in real life? It would be difficult to be anything other than Alan Bennett is you actually were Alan Bennett! Of course, in the movie, there are TWO Bennetts; and then there is the real one! (A National Treasure who has the second edition of his Talking Heads on BBC TV now - 20 years after the first lot! He'd be well over 100 if he does the same again!

[@revol148]

@@malacca1951 His character of that of a shy, grumpy, taciturn Yorkshireman. Rather than a multi-millionaire pillar of the arts establishment with property in Yorkshire, Primrose hill, France & New York city.Presumably you've sat through all his stage plays - how did that go?

[@NoIdea68]

@@revol148 Why’d you have to be such a kill joy honestly

[@mrmartin2079]

@@revol148 how petty you sound

[@zakariashartley]

Alan Bennett just a legend genius amazing

[@jrgboy]

Alan Bennett has turned down a knighthood & a peerage, he is a CBE.

[@stevesandford8993]

"She was a real pain..." Speaks ALAN BENNETT who might possibly be the most PRIVATE person who has ever drawn breath... And he let her stay... I've ENJOYED Mr Bennetts' work, read his diaries, CRIED and LAUGHED over his plays and I connect with HOW DIFFICULT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOR HIM to allow a piss-stinking lost soul to share what little he could comfortably offer... (BUT HE DID THAT!!!) Respect isn't WORD enough... Is he a SIR yet??? (That's all BOLLIX but HE SHOULD BE!!!) Alan Bennett is one of the best writers of his or any other generation... (And ALSO a BEAUTIFUL human being...) I'd KISS HIM if I ever met him though that would APPALL him... xx SF

[@andrewmallory3854]

I understand Alan Bennet declines all honours due to his republican views. I may be wrong but that is what I remember reading somewhere.

[@srl6018]

Bennett has turned down a knighthood on more than one occasion.

[@douglasmilton2805]

@@andrewmallory3854 If I remember rightly, he was offered honours first by Margaret Thatcher and later by Tony Blair, and on both occasions he politely but firmly declined.

[@AGMundy]

Interesting interview. I saw the play in the West End many years before the film. My friend and I were the only members of the audience who laughed at the line about Glynebourne and opera. Maggie Smith struck me as not quite right in the play but she was very good in the film, perhaps age had given her that extra edge. One very minor part in the film which I always makes me smile, is when Frances De La Tour as Ursula Vaughan Williams first sees Miss Shepherd painting the van yellow. The expression on Frances' face is priceless.

[@robertbrighton9797]

Alan Bennett is a living legend

[@Foxys1974]

Just watched it! Loved it! Very charming film.. I wept and laughed

[@williamnelson5931]

Foxy Johnston o

[@katerinadicamella]

I love the movie!!

[@macsmiffy2197]

William Miller, son of Jonathan has written a lovely autobiography of growing up in Gloucester Crescent at this time. He talks about hearing nothing but the clacking of typewriters all along the Crescent as the day’s great writers and intellectuals all lived in the vicinity. Bennett was often in their kitchen being fed by Dr Miller. Funnily enough, the lady and the van doesn’t get much of a mention.

[@DeanMoxley87]

No mention from Paul of Ian doing Alan Bennett

[@sarahhall7800]

'Paul Merton interviews ALEX JENNINGS & Alan Bennett'!

[@Hana-dy7ho]

ㄷ

[@fastra3621]

Alex Jones is such a vacuous non-entity! Smiling at someone being ‘persecuted and aggravated by people’ - does she actually listen to what’s being said FFS?

[@rhidiandavies1991]

She really is a charisma vacuum.

[@paolamura3497]

Exactly what I thought too.

[@flockofwolves]

Make less din and more dinner

[@rachell4417]

Brilliantly done

[@petersalmon2695]

"Make less din "! Class 😂

[@Moonshadowad]

Hahaha

[@pgtto]

The bloke in the right is from essex, it's clear how much he changed his own accent to fit in. The class system in england does horrific things to people

[@butmay1893]

anything is an improvement on essex accent tbh

[@janed7774]

Thanks! .. as that was just the ticket 👋

[@mandykhoo2473]

Boredom X n

[@BlookbugIV]

Was interested in the movie then I saw the name James Corden in the cast list 🤮

[@eva-lily9324]

You should watch it. James Corden only appears in one scene.

[@Janetooooooo]

He has 10 seconds max

[@williamturner898]

He says about 5 words. It's a low point in an otherwise brilliant film.

[@bridgettecampbell1018]

I would like Alan to do something with my book, particularly the short story Roses are Red, Violets are Blue.

[@doreenhornby7922]

Brill film

[@pertermurderstrom8115]

Get a rooooom! Get a ROOOOOOOOM!

[@farpelito1287]

Bennett must have rubbed his hands with glee when this person showed up in his street handing him, on a plate, a book, play, film and a whopping £3 million for the house. He wisely ensconced her on his drive ignoring the concerns of his neighbours marooning her while he gathered material. Nice Mr Bennett !

[@garymitchell5899]

I doubt that was the reason. Kudos to him for being so kind and accommodating even when she was cantankerous. Slightly awkward for the neighbours but they can stand it, can't just ignore the issue of homelessness.

[@MrTonyInchpractice]

he kinda addressed that in the play/film, tho, to be fair.

[@paolamura3497]

He let her stay 15 years!!!!! An odd month or so would have been enough to research her habits and eccentrities . So he truly felt the moral obligation to help her. She was a soul in pain, probably as he felt himself to be too.

[@LiamGervaise]

Awful take 😭

[@sexobscura]

*Alan should be interviewed by Avid Merrion -------- or even Ali G*