Alan Bennett, the unpigeonholeable writer, actor and comedian has been awarded The Society Special Award for his contribution to theatre. He was presented the award by another talented all-rounder, Victoria Wood. Bennett's latest play, The History Boys (at the National's Lyttelton Theatre), has been universally recognised as one of the finest plays seen on stage in 2004.
Alan Bennett's eclectic, but almost universally acclaimed career, has included 19 individual television plays, four television series, three feature films and a host of theatre productions. He has also dabbled in journalism, comedy and teaching. Among his best-loved works are the two series of Talking Heads monologues shown on the BBC, and his marvellously whimsical version of The Wind In The Willows, which was staged at the National in 1990.
The Wind In The Willows was the first of Alan Bennett's successful collaboration with director Nicholas Hytner. The second, The Madness Of George III (1991) went on to become Bennett's most successful film yet, while the third was The History Boys. Speaking about the National Theatre in 2001, Bennett commented that "I am thankful to have had a small part in the National's history. The Wind in the Willows and The Madness of George III, both directed by Nicholas Hytner, were two of the happiest plays I've worked on".
Born in 1934 in Armley, Leeds, Bennett was brought up in archetypal Yorkshire environs: his father was a butcher and he was surrounded by the types of characters who later appeared in Talking Heads. It is easy to see why his writing so perfectly complemented the styles of actresses such as Thora Hird. After excelling at school he earned a scholarship to Oxford where he intended to pursue a career as a Medieval Historian.
Things didn't quite turn out that way, however, and he became increasingly involved with the acting scene at Oxford; an association which culminated in Beyond The Fringe (1960). Alongside Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller, Bennett became a trailblazer for much of the satirical and alternative comedy which is so popular today. Beyond Beyond The Fringe, Bennett continued to work in sketch comedy for the BBC and in 1972 his first television film, A Day Out, was screened. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Bennett wrote fairly prolifically for the stage and television and also made occasional stage appearances.
After decades of solid success, Bennett made the leap to celebrity in 1987 with the first screening of Talking Heads. 1987 also marked his first ever appearance at the National Theatre, in Down Cemetery Road, an evening of Philip Larkin's poetry and prose. As well his National Theatre masterpieces, Bennett's other stage plays have included Getting On (writer), 1971; Habeas Corpus (also writer), 1973; The Old Country (writer), 1977; Enjoy (writer), 1980; Kafka's Dick (writer), 1986; A Visit from Miss Prothero (writer), 1987 and Single Spies. He won Olivier Awards in 1992 (Best Actor In A Musical Or Entertainment for Talking Heads) and 1989/90 (Best Comedy for Single Spies).
Upon receiving the Society Special Award, Bennett said, with trademark modesty ""I always find these these rather daunting occassions really. I'm very pleased for Richard [Griffiths] particularly." He also, rather memorably, described the Society Special Award as "The Old Fogey Award" and enquired as to whether it doubles up as a "Teasmade".
