A Cream Cracker under the Settee

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A Cracker Cream Under The Settee is a dramatic monologue written by Alan Bennett in 1987 for television, as part of the Talking Heads series for the BBC. The series became very popular, moving to BBC Radio, an international theater, becoming one of the best-selling audiobooks of all time and included as part of the A-level and GCSE English syllabus. It was the sixth and final episode of the first series of Talking Heads .

Video A Cream Cracker under the Settee

Storyline

"A Cream Cracker under the Settee" was played as a monologue by Doris (Thora Hird), a widowed seventy-five-year-old woman, after she slipped from the pouffe (pronounced 'buffet' in the drama). His disapproval of housekeeper Zulema's cleansing led him to try to clear up a picture of him and his husband, Wilfred, his late husband, and then his downfall. His position, now suffering from a "numby" leg, gave his natural desire to seek help. Thus he moved from his position in the chair, to the floor near where he fell, and finally to the front door of his house. The exhausted Doris dragged herself back into the living room after failing to get help from the front door. Finally he heard the voice of a policeman, asking if he was okay because - incredible - the lights were dead. Instead of asking for his help, he let him go after saying that he was sleeping. This is assumed by the situation, and by the fact that the conclusions for Bennett's drama are usually bleak, that Doris later died. Throughout the monologue, he discusses various problems and past events in his life, characters and situations. The use of juxtaposition humor and sadness is often used by Alan Bennett, as in many highly influential Talking Heads monologues. Such effects include the interaction of elapsed time. The monologue on television gives the impression of a dark night because the end of his age is suggested; the passage of time reflecting the passing of his life. Next, moving from a relatively comfortable position of his chair - where he sits at the beginning - may show the movement from a safe and comfortable position in life to his current situation. Problems such as advanced care, old age and life choices are constantly being discussed throughout the monologue.

Maps A Cream Cracker under the Settee

Reception

This episode was well received and earned three nominations at the BAFTA Awards 1989. Thora Hird won the award for Best Actress in front of two other actresses from Talking Heads episode, Patricia Routledge (A Lt Lady of Letters) and Dame Maggie Smith ( Bed Between Lentils ). It was also nominated for Best Drama Series and Best Video Lighting.

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See also

• Talking Heads Series
• Alan Bennett
• A-level English and GCSE

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References

src: www.wyp.org.uk

External links

• Episode guides

Source of the article : Wikipedia