Alan Bennett's Talking Heads stories told at The Criterion

Christine Ingall plays Irene in A Lady of Letters, Cathryn Bowler is vicar's wife Suan in A Bed of Lentils and Annie Woodward is Doris in A Creme Cracker Under the Settee (s)

THREE stories from Alan Bennett's hugely successful Talking Heads series will be told at The Criterion Theatre in Earlsdon.

A Lady of Letters, A Bed Among the Lentils and A Cream Cracker under the Settee open for a week-long run this Saturday directed by Bill Butler.

In A Lady of Letters Christine Ingall plays Irene who writes letters of complaint, comment and occasionally officious praise to various businesses and government departments.

After one too many accusations of misconduct from Irene's pen she is brought to book with surprising results.

Cathryn Bowler features in A Bed Among the Lentils as vicar's wife Susan who is a failure when it comes to jam-making and flower-arranging, and is not at all sure about God.

The monologue details how her husband treats her in an intensely patronising manner and expects her to conform to her role as vicar's wife.

And Annie Woodward plays widow Doris in A Cream Cracker under the Settee who refuses to relinquish her independence and cleans even when her home help Zulema is absent.

Her story begins after she has just fallen over while attempting to dust a picture frame high on the wall. The day goes on and, unable to get help, Doris reminisces about her quiet, uneventful life with its joys and sadnesses.

Performances of this snapshot of Bennett's marvellously observant view of the British way of life are at 7.30pm nightly from February 2 to 9.

Tickets are priced at £7.50 for members, £9.50 for non members and £5 for juniors from the box office on 02476 675175 or the automated booking line on 05601 277975.

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