Doris is an elderly, but independent woman who suffers a fall while tidying up. Thora, who was born in morecambe in 1911 and died in 2003, was also a threetimes best actress bafta award winner for her roles in talking heads. A cream cracker under the settee thora hird series two 7. She rose from coop cashier to become the tv star everyone. This splendid title showcases the combined talents of alan bennett, one of our foremost dramatists and writers, and thora hird, the celebrated and muchloved actor who died in 2003. Enter challenges, watch videos, and take part in our annual vote to decide the best film, tv show and game of the year. Love thora hirds books and this one came with a special giftautographed. The play is part of the talking heads series of plays in the 1980s. Like the previous hird bennett monologue, a cream cracker under the settee bbc, tx. Thora hird made her stage debut in 1911 at the age of two months. The first solo he created for her, a cream cracker under the settee, in the original talking heads series, won her first bafta award in 1988. Cream cracker is a dramatic monologue in which doris, a 75 year old lady of leisure, speaks throughout.
Died at brinsworth house, twickenham, london, after suffering a stroke. In a career than spanned eight decades, thora hird was widelyregarded as one of britains finest character actresses. Ive seen her in last of the summer wine, where she played a great part. This performance, thoras last, is very moving and memorable. A cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking. Hird could perform comedy and tragedy with equal strength. Dame thora hird, dbe was an english actress and comedienne of stage and screen, presenter and writer.
This performance, thora s last, is very moving and memorable. This monologue features one of thora s bestremembered performances. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. In a cream cracker under the settee, doris has taken a fall at home, and until someone comes to rescue her shes left immobile and in reflective mood. But thora didnt get where she is today london television centre. Tony richardson, 1960, gritty realism the waspish motherinlaw in a kind of. Here read by bryan melton in the style of the author. A cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking heads. A cream cracker under the settee is played out as a monologue by doris thora hird, a seventyfiveyearold woman who is a widow, following her slip off a. Dame thora hird, 28 may 1911 15 march 2003 was an english actress and comedienne of stage and screen, presenter and writer. Thora hird plays doris in a cream cracker under the settee doris, aged seventyfive, is a tidy woman and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her considerably less thorough home help, zulema, it becomes apparent that her constant nagging may have been responsible for her husbands early death. Talking heads is a complete collection of bennetts twelve masterful monologues, performed by the author and some of britains leading actors.
Her film credits included the love match, the entertainer, a kind of lo. Thora hird was more than just a national treasure she was one of the british crown jewels, a walloping great diamond on a firmly knotted headscarf. An interviewer from the guardian once spent four hours recording dame thora hird, who has died aged 91, stopping only because he ran out of tapes. Had thora hird retired at sixty, she would have had a solid career behind her as a versatile stage and screen actress equally at home in comedy talentspotted by george formby, she made her screen debut opposite will hay in the black sheep of whitehall, d.
Doris, in a cream cracker under the settee, has suffered a fall, and gradually realises that noone will come to her aid. Recorded in 2002, thora hird s last ever performance, in a part written especially for her, is moving and memorable. Dame thora hird, dbe 28 may 1911 15 march 2003 was an english actress and comedienne of stage and screen, presenter and writer. It is signed by thora hird, her daughter janette scott and dinah sheridan c 1996.
A cream cracker under the settee doris thora hird finds herself in a predicament in alan bennetts classic talking heads monologue. The title is alan bennetts challenge to the adage that talking heads make for bad tv. Thora hird is a dbe, an obe and a dlitt, and i point out to her that there are more letters after her name than there are in it. Doris, aged seventyfive, is a tidy woman and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her considerably less thorough home help, zulema, it becomes apparent that her constant nagging may have been responsible for her husbands early death. Campaign for thora hird statue in morecambe gets tv boost. Doris is played by dame thora hird who has just recently passed away. Ill always remember her powerful and moving performance in alan bennetts cream cracker under the settee. Thora hird was born on may 28 1911 at morecambe, lancashire, the youngest of three children, though her sister was not to survive childhood. Originally written for thora hird as one of allan bennetts talking heads monologues. Thora hird plays doris in a cream cracker under the settee doris, aged seventyfive, is a tidy woman and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her considerably less thorough home help, zulema, it becomes apparent that her constant nagging may have been responsible for. Thora hird dbe, 91, 19112003 actress by george pollen.
Mar 18, 2003 how sad i am that thora has passed away. Mar 17, 2003 hird could perform comedy and tragedy with equal strength. They included return performances by patricia routledge, julie walters and thora hird, as well as roles for eileen atkins, david haig and. Love thora hird s books and this one came with a special giftautographed. The likes of thora hird, patricia routledge, maggie smith and julie walters deliver a masterclass in the art of character acting. Oct 21, 2009 thora wasnt only like a favourite relative or good friend visiting us via the telly screen she was an absolutely topnotch actress. Doris, aged seventyfive, is a tidy woman and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her considerably less thorough home help, zulema, it becomes apparent that her. Feb 19, 2020 hird, who won a bafta in 1989 for performing alan bennetts solo piece a cream cracker under the settee in the original talking heads series on the bbc, was proud of being a morecambe lass.
Accompanying the last of the sun are two bestselling talking head monologues, a cream cracker under the settee and waiting for the telegram. A cream cracker under the settee by alan bennett essay. In a career spanning over 70 years, she appeared in more than 100 film and television roles, becoming a household name and a british institution. Thora was a pleasure to watch as she could switch so cleverly from comedy to pathos. Morecambe campaign seeks to honour dame thora hird with. A cream cracker under the settee 24 may 1988 waiting for the telegram 11 november 1998 barcode and other identifiers barcode. Oct 01, 2001 nothing like a dame is a combined volume of thora hird s two volumes of memoir. Outrage as dame thora hird is refused a blue plaque despite being one of britains favorite actresses summerblue dame thora hird dbe 2003 rip the superb actress who brilliantly portrayed edie pegden a much loved british television actress starred in many sitcoms. Alone and injured, she wonders whether the only place left for her in society is a. Mar 15, 2003 in a career lasting almost a century, dame thora hird s solid screen presence and distinctive northern tones made her an enduring favourite with british audiences. It was written by alan bennett who wrote the play in 1940s, doris is the main character played by thora hird, who is an old lonely lady whos in her seventies and thinks of her present life and reminisces about her past. Dame thora was an absolute darling and my family and myself will miss her dreadfully. The sixth and final collaboration between alan bennett and thora hird was originally broadcast as the last instalment of the sixpart talking heads 2 bbc, tx. A threetime winner of the bafta tv award for best actress, she won for talking heads.
A cream cracker under the settee, alan bennett essay. If you enjoy gladys taber, these are wonderful reads of a life in theater, film, and television. Her disapproval of homehelper zulemas cleaning leads her to attempt to clean a picture of her and wilfred, her late husband, and subsequently her fall. It features an exclusive and unique recording, the last of the sun, tha. Watch talking heads season 1, episode 6 a cream cracker under the settee. It was written by alan bennett who wrote the play in 1940s, doris is the main character played by thora hird, who is an old lonely lady whos in her seventies and thinks of her present life and reminisces. In one of alan bennetts six talking heads monologues, a cream cracker under the settee, she memorably portrayed a.
The role of doris was brilliantly brought to life by marlene sidaway and the intimacy of. It was first performed by thora hird on television in 1988. Bennett explores various themes in the play which skilfully use devices to maintain. What was the name of the alan bennet talking heads one she also did, about the cream cracker under the sofa. In one of alan bennetts six talking heads monologues, a cream cracker under the settee, she memorably portrayed a bitter widow, doris. Nothing like a dame is a combined volume of thora hirds two volumes of memoir. She won a bafta in 1989 for alan bennett s a cream cracker under the settee. It wasnt alternative, but it was realistic and optimistic it was never too late, a 19801981 bbc radio 4 comedy by terry gregson, starring the brilliant english character actors thora hird, megs jenkins, avis bunnage and joe gladwin. This groundbreaking series of dramatic monologues offers viewers an intimate look at. Mar 16, 2003 an interviewer from the guardian once spent four hours recording dame thora hird, who has died aged 91, stopping only because he ran out of tapes. This monologue features one of thoras bestremembered performances. A cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking heads by ken doh.
Also featured is a specially written introduction and postscript, in which alan recalls the experience of knowing and working with thora. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. Scene and hird and is it thora, published in 1976 and 1996 respectfully. A cream cracker under the settee is played out as a monologue by doris, a seventyfiveyearold woman who is a widow, following her slip off a pouffe pronounced buffet in the play. Apr 7, 2016 a cream cracker under the settee thora hird talking heads youtube. A cream cracker under the settee is a monologue piece written by alan bennett in 1988. Oct 19, 2015 talking heads monologue by alan bennett. Thora hird, a muchloved actor whose performances captured the nuances and respectability of northern english life. Bafta guru is baftas content hub for career starters packed full of inspirational videos, podcasts and interviews. Her disapproval of homehelper zulemas cleaning leads her to attempt to clean a picture of her and wilfred, her late husband. Recorded in 2002, thora hirds last ever performance, in a part written especially for her, is moving and memorable. Like the previous hirdbennett monologue, a cream cracker under the settee bbc, tx.
Dame thora hirds acting career lasted almost a century, yet she enjoyed her most successful period in her eighties. Her reminiscences about happier days, when the neighbours greeted each other and there was no need to lock the door, will bring a lump to the most cynical of throats. This 2001 collection of both books also includes a detailed chorological of her life and career up to 1998. Also includes bennett reading his telling tales piece. Originally broadcasted on the bbc, thora hird was the first actress to take on the role of doris and was awarded a bafta for best actress. Bennett explores various themes in the play which skilfully use devices to. She made over 100 films as well as starring in a host of tv comedies and, as a straight actress, excelled in the works of playwright alan bennett.
Aug 12, 1990 sue lawleys castaway is actress thora hird. Doris, aged seventy five, is a tidy woman and when she suffers a fall after trying to clear up after her. Baftas destination for youngsters to come and discover the magical worlds of film, television and games. A cream cracker under the settee is a humorous play in the form of monologue. In a career spanning over 70 years, 2 she appeared in more than 100 film and television roles, becoming a household name and a british institution. The play explores the changes within society from when alan bennett was a child, through the sixties and to the 1987. Read about ch 6 a cream cracker under the settee by thora hird and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. Mar 17, 2003 dame thora hird, who has died aged 91, was the actress, comedienne and television presenter whose warmth, humanity and remarkable professional longevity made her a true candidate for that. A cream cracker under the settee is played out as a monologue by doris thora hird, a seventyfiveyearold woman who is a widow, following her slip off a pouffe pronounced buffet in the play. Talking heads a cream cracker under the settee tv episode. Dame thora hird, dbe 28 may 1911 15 march 2003 was an english actress and. Whether youve taken your first steps in the industry or are just starting out, youll find plenty here to motivate and help you along the way. Hird, who won a bafta in 1989 for performing alan bennetts solo piece a cream cracker under the settee in the original talking heads series on the bbc, was proud of being a morecambe lass.
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