'LOCKDOWN UPDATE' no.5 BBC & London Theatre Co. remaking Alan Bennett's Talking Heads with a stellar lockdown cast There can't be many amateur theatre companies that haven't produced their own series of Talking Heads shows... This week, filming began today on new productions of Alan Bennett’s critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning monologues, which first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998. Ten of the original pieces will be re-made with the addition of two new ones written by Bennett last year. They are produced by Nicholas Hytner’s London Theatre Company and Kevin Loader, and will air in the coming months on BBC One. As the British public service broadcaster, the BBC has a key role to play in continuing to offer new programming for our audience at this time of national crisis. The contained nature of Bennett's monologues allowed the opportunity to tell timely and relevant stories while following the latest government guidelines on safe working practices during Covid-19. Alan Bennett told Sardines: "In such difficult circumstances, that the BBC should choose to remount both series of Talking Heads, and produce two entirely new ones, is a comfort and a huge compliment. I hope a new generation of actors will get and give as much pleasure as we did twenty and thirty years ago." The televised monologues will star the cream of today's acting establishment such as Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Martin Freeman (Sherlock Holmes), Tamsin Greig (Episodes), Maxine Peake (Silk) and Imelda Staunton (Flesh and Blood) to name just five. Nicholas Hytner, Bennett's long- term collaborator and Lead Director and Producer, said: "Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads are among the masterworks of one of the very greatest writers in TV, film and theatre history. It has been a profound and fascinating experience to work out a way of making them again, this time with a company of phenomenal actors who are the equal of those who first made them; with a group of leading theatre directors, colleagues and Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner. Photo: Manuel Harlan friends of long standing; and with a team behind the camera that represents the best of the British TV and film industries. It is a wonderful bonus that two of the 2020 Talking Heads are totally new, written only a short time before the current crisis began. And everyone involved has been working in an unprecedented way, rigorously observing social distancing, entirely rethinking ways of filmmaking that until a few weeks ago seemed routine. The shoot will never bring any of us within touching distance of each other, but I hope that in every other way it will reach out and touch millions of viewers. We are all of us beyond grateful to the BBC for setting us this challenge." Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: "Covid-19 has laid waste to drama production in the UK, but it has also posed a challenge: how do we adhere to restrictions while still offering British viewers the chance to lose themselves in great stories at this time of national need? Full of insight, wit, daring and compassion, these are stories of individual lives - but of great resonance. I am so grateful to Alan, Nicholas Hytner, Kevin Loader and the whole team for the caution, ingenuity and wisdom which they have shown in bringing these stories to the screen." The Talking Heads monologues were first broadcast on the BBC in 1988 and 1998, breaking new ground for television and widely celebrated as Alan Bennett’s masterpieces. They had a stellar cast including Patricia Routledge, Maggie Smith, Stephanie Cole, Julie Walters, Thora Hird, Eileen Atkins, David Haig and Penelope Wilton, alongside Bennett himself. The monologues won two BAFTAs, an RTS award and have also since been included on the A-level and GCSE English Literature syllabus. The monologues which will air on BBC One in the coming months are as follows: [Listed in alphabetical order - see photo above] 1. Jodie Comer in Her Big Chance (1988), directed by Josie Rourke 2. Monica Dolan in The Shrine (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner 3. Martin Freeman in A Chip in the Sugar (1988), directed by Jeremy Herrin 4. Tamsin Greig in Nights in the Garden of Spain (1998), directed by Marianne Elliott 5. Sarah Lancashire in An Ordinary Woman (2019), directed by Nicholas Hytner 6. Lesley Manville in Bed Among the Lentils (1988), directed by Nicholas Hytner 7. Lucian Msamati in Playing Sandwiches (1998), directed by Jeremy Herrin 8. Maxine Peake in Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet (1988), directed by Sarah Frankcom 9. Rochenda Sandall in The Outside Dog (1998), directed by Nadia Fall 10. Kristin Scott Thomas in The Hand of God (1998), directed by Jonathan Kent 11. Imelda Staunton in A Lady of Letters (1988), directed by Jonathan Kent 12. Harriet Walter in Soldiering On (1988), directed by Marianne Elliott Filming is taking place at BBC Elstree Studios using existing sets. The Talking Heads production team are following the latest government guidelines on Covid-19 to ensure that the series is made safely and responsibly. FREE with a new subscription ...our latest issue CLICK FOR MORE! (Use code: isolationoffer) Existing subscriber? (Code: isolationextension) (we will add an extra free issue to an extended 1 or 2-year subscription) All cards securely accepted including PayPal accounts NOTE: Subscriptions are NOT affected by the unavoidable break in production. Even though Sardines will not be publishing throughout Jun/Jul, our next issue (no.49) will simply be delayed until 1st August (fingers crossed) rather than cancelled. Lauren and Mr Logan (part II) We thought this hilarious sketch from last week's Big Night In on BBC One was worth a share. It features Lauren Cooper (Catherine Tate) and her new English teacher, Mr Logan (David Tennant), as the Coronavirus forces lessons to go online. This is how to perform comedy, folks! Donate Here AMATEUR THEATRE PICKS While members of the professional theatre industry are understandably fighting for their careers right now, amateur theatre companies, societies, charities and groups across the country are coming up with some incredibly creative ways to maintain the status quo. There are far too many to list in a single newsletter, so here are just a few good ideas: You Can't Stop the Three Towns' Beat! Three Towns Theatre Company - based in Medway, Kent - has created a wonderful feel-good lip-sync video of one of the greatest musical finales of all time... Hairspray's You Can't Stop the Beat. In addition, the amateur society has a been busy creating "a picture video with a message, rehearsals via video link, games and tasks on its members-only page, online quiz night, videoed book readings... all to keep everyone together and involved and to keep creativity going." Bravo! - click the video to watch Strollers' Lockdown Song The (Isle of) Wight Strollers' fortieth anniversary year may not be turning out quite as the society had previously planned... but they’re still finding ways to celebrate! Inspired by all the wonderful virtual singing groups popping up across the country, over forty Wight members submitted videos of themselves singing the group's pantomime finale song, It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish, sung every year since its formation and known by all Strollers, past and present. And so, we are proud to present here - to hopefully raise a smile and spread some joy - The Wight Strollers in Lockdown! Parenthood Here are all three casts of PARENTHOOD - The (Brand New!) Musical Revue from Kent's very own Fluffy Top Productions singing the finale Home from lockdown. Music and Lyrics by Pete Moody & Emily Moody | Copyright: Pete Moody & Emily Moody Vocals: Ben Gaston, Elizabeth Cachia, Mark Fromings, Emily Clare, Jordan Brown, Astra Beadle, Katie Rayner, Bruce Hanson, Alice Kattner, Jordan-David Copping, Naomi Jones, Jake Pearse, Heather Broderick. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter: @FluffyTOPProd / @ParenthoodStage BPs going live! Not to be deterred by having to reschedule dates for Shrek the Musical, Bromley Players (regular performers at Eltham's Bob Hope Theatre) have started streaming a series of 'stagey' live online sessions. "Join 'Miss Laura!' we have got your music, fitness and stagey school afternoon covered! You can thank us later."... it says on the group's Facebook page. Activities last until 3 May and are completely FREE! More HERE Priory Theatre's archive fire footage The rebuilding of the Priory Theatre, Kenilworth. Liturally a phoenix from the flames! On 4 September 1976 came the destruction of thirty years hard work when fire gutted the Priory Theatre in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Undaunted, the members set about the rebuilding, making great improvements to all areas. This video shows the two years following the fire, leading up to the reopening in 1978. Click above to watch the video. Weekly schedule in Ealing One of London's largest and most respected amateur theatres, Questors Theatre in Ealing, is offering an entire weekly schedule of initiatives... According to The Questors' website, "We might not be at our lovely premises in Ealing for now, but that won't stop us from bringing you lots of fun things to see and do during the lockdown period! Please see below for our weekly schedule, to be updated with more information." MONDAY Monday Musings: looking back on our archives. Images from past shows are posted across our social media channels - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. TUESDAY Bridging the Gap. This project helps to bring people together during lockdown. You can submit what you’ve been up to throughout the week to [email protected].