Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 2005 | 20161024 | 20210823 (BBC7) 20210824 (BBC7) | More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences. Writer Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Starting in 2005 - his play 'The History Boys' has its last production at the National Theatre and Alan laments the many abandoned pieces he has written. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, the diaries cover a packed decade that included writing four highly-acclaimed plays - 'The Habit of Art', People', Hymn' and Cocktail Sticks', all of which premiered at the National Theatre - as well as the screenplays for the hit films of The History Boys' and 'The Lady in the Van'. In addition, Alan reflects on 25 years of friendship and collaboration with director Nicholas Hytner, life with his partner Rupert Thomas and, radical views notwithstanding, his status as kindly, cosy and essentially harmless' - a view which these diaries do their best to disprove. Alan's previous diary collections are 'Writing Home' and 'Untold Stories', |
| 02 | 2006 | 20161026 | 20210824 (BBC7) 20210825 (BBC7) 20161025 (R4) 20161030 (R4) | Looking back to 2006 - Alan reflects on how much easier it is to get married than to get a Camden parking permit. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author, playwright and author Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 03 | 2007 | 20161026 | 20210825 (BBC7) 20210826 (BBC7) | Looking back to 2007 - Alan is offered a role in Fanny Hill, and reflects on his public image as `kindly, cosy and essentially harmless'. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author, playwright and author Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 04 | 2008 | 20161027 | 20210826 (BBC7) 20210827 (BBC7) | Looking back to 2008 - Alan gives us unexpected revelations about Gordon Brown, John Sergeant and a lost pullover More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author, playwright and author Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 05 | 2009 | 20161028 | 20210827 (BBC7) 20210828 (BBC7) | Looking back to 2009 - Alan presents writings to the Bodleian Library and describes the long process of finding a sound effect for WH Auden breaking wind. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author, playwright and author Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 06 | 2010 | 20161031 | 20210830 (BBC7) 20210831 (BBC7) 20161101 (R4) | Looking back to 2010 - Alan has ice cream poured down the back of his raincoat - and is robbed of £1500. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author, playwright and author Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 07 | 2011 | 20161030 | 20210831 (BBC7) 20210901 (BBC7) 20161102 (R4) | Looking back to 2011 - Alan is mistaken for Alan Ayckbourn and looks a gift (War) Horse in the mouth. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author, playwright and author Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 08 | 2012 | 20161102 | 20210901 (BBC7) 20210902 (BBC7) 20161103 (R4) | Looking back to 2012 - Alan reflects on the `back place` in writers' lives, and talks about hiding - or not hiding - under Dudley Moore's bed. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author, playwright and author Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 09 | 2013 | 20161103 | 20210902 (BBC7) 20210903 (BBC7) 20161104 (R4) | Looking back to 2013 - Alan breaks into a medieval Abbey and acts on stage for the first time in 20 years. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as author and playwright Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |
| 10 | 2014 | 20161104 | 20210903 (BBC7) 20210904 (BBC7) 20161105 (R4) | Looking back to 2014 - Alan reflects on his dramatic experiences with pigs, boa constrictors and steaming - or not so steaming - manure. More unique observations, recollections and reminiscences as Alan Bennett reads his final extract from the third collection of his diaries. Covering the years 2005 to 2014, it proved to be a packed decade. |