ALAN BENNETT: UNTOLD STORIES  (60 mins for ITV1, Oct. 2005)

Alan Bennett rarely does television interviews. He claims that if you want to find out about him, “it’s all in the work”. But in this exclusive ‘South Bank Show’ one of Britain’s best loved playwrights and diarist agrees to talk candidly about his life, work and what inspires him. Filmed with specially shot monologues and pieces to camera.

'…a mesmerising South Bank Show…' The Times

'…a rare pleasure…' The Observer

'…very fine indeed…' Indy

'…a hugely pleasurable programme…' S.Times

'…brilliant and funny…' Time Out

Clip: MAM

In her ‘60’s, Alan Bennett’s mother started to suffer from extreme bouts of depression – several of which hospitalised her. Here, with humour and poignancy, he recounts those several of those occasions.

Clip: The History Boys

You’d have thought that, as one of this country’s most pre-eminent playwrights, Alan Bennett would garner huge respect from a group of young, impressionable actors eager to please. Nothing of the sort. “They just take the piss out of me”, he laments.