Alan Bennett: Three Plays

by Alan Bennett

This volume includes Alan Bennett's three classic BBC Radio full-cast Kafka's Dick, Forty Years On and An Englishman Abroad. Kafka's Dick--Bennett's brilliantly clever comedy not only examines the relationship between life and art, but also asks what was Kafka's embarrassing little problem? Forty Years On--Bennett stars in the production of his own acclaimed satirical comedy about a headmaster of Albion House who is retiring and takes part in the end-of-year entertainment for the last time. An Englishman Abroad--This BBC Radio full-cast drama is based on a real-life chance encounter in 1958 between a world-famous spy and a Shakespearean actress.

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Alan Bennett is an English author and Tony Award-winning playwright. Bennett's first stage play, Forty Years On, was produced in 1968. Many television, stage and radio plays followed, along with screenplays, short stories, novellas, a large body of non-fictional prose and broadcasting, and many appearances as an actor. Bennett's lugubrious yet expressive voice (which still bears a slight Leeds accent) and the sharp humour and evident humanity of his writing have made his readings of his own work (especially his autobiographical writing) very popular. His readings of the Winnie the Pooh stories are also widely enjoyed.

Reviews

[Mette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook as these are radio plays. Overall, really liked Kafka’s dick but less so the other two.

Kafka’s dick - clever and really brilliantly performed. Perfect for radio. Great characters.
Forty years on - feels like a less good version of the history boys. I think partly because there’s less of a focus on the pupils.
An Englishman abroad - enjoyable introduction from Bennett, but I didn’t click with the characters. Still, a fun listen/read.