Name: Alan Bennett's Talking Heads | 20-23 August, 7:30pm
Start: 2025-08-20T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2025-08-20T22:00:00+01:00
Location: The Grove Theatre Eastbourne

Alan Bennett's Talking Heads | 20-23 August, 7:30pm

A Bed Among the Lentils
A Chip in the Sugar
Her Big Chance
An evening of wry smiles and raised eyebrows: Alan Bennett's celebrated Talking Heads takes to the stage, bringing with it the trademark mix of wit, pathos, and quiet devastation. With the precision of a perfectly timed farce and the comic sharpness of a well-rehearsed punchline, Bennett's monologues are an art form all their own – and this trio of masterpieces promises an unforgettable night.
We begin with A Bed Among the Lentils, which introduces Susan, the vicar's wife, whose wry observations on parish life mask an aching dissatisfaction with her lot. Finding solace in the off-licence and the arms of a young Asian shopkeeper, Susan reminds us that comfort can sometimes be found in the most unlikely of places.
Next, A Chip in the Sugar, where the perfectly ordinary life of Graham finds itself derailed by his mother's rekindled romance. What starts with polite tea and biscuits soon spirals into quiet chaos, as repressed insecurities and thinly veiled disappointments bubble to the surface. Bennett's subtlety is such that you’ll laugh — then feel guilty about it.
Finally, we close with Her Big Chance. Lesley is an aspiring actress, forever one audition away from stardom. Invited to play a pivotal role in a film that might, or might not, be continental art-house cinema, she navigates the murky waters of the entertainment industry with wide-eyed optimism — and a resilience that is both endearing and heart-breaking.
Each monologue is a masterclass in observation, revealing the loneliness and resilience of seemingly ordinary lives. Bennett's work reminds us that behind every net curtain lies a story — and that laughter and tragedy often sit side by side, like mismatched china on a well-worn tea tray.
Come and spend an evening in the company of voices you won’t forget. There may not be a tea trolley in sight, but the blend of humour and humanity will leave you stirred — if not entirely shaken.