National Treasures

Eileen and I went to see the Queen last week. No - not that Queen - Helen Mirren is so much of an improvement on the genuine article. I can’t wait for the latest and last ‘Prime Suspect’ on Sunday. There are so many good role models for women of my age.

Speaking of ‘my age’ I unfortunately had another birthday recently and someone bought me Alan Bennett’s ‘Untold Stories’. It's a sort of autobiography, but inspired by one of those ‘annuals’ we used to read when we were kids. There’s a bit of his life, some stuff from his diaries and writings about his plays, art and acting.

It reminded me of the day I swanned home wearing my black stockings*, mini, white lipstick and false eyelashes and followed by some spotty youth. My lovely uncle Harold was waiting and suggested nervously that perhaps I was getting a bit too old for the ‘Enid Blyton Annual’ and perhaps he should buy me something else for Christmas. I agreed but felt a little sad.

Anyway, as you know the ‘Queen’ film is set in the period following the death of Diana which, by coincidence, Alan describes in his diaries. He is a big fan of HMQ. He was shocked that she had to go ‘mournabout’ and expresses surprise that she wasn’t forced to do a ‘Diana phone in’ as well.

Like Julie Birchill - I’m a Diana sympathiser, but I must agree with Alan that Diana could act and HMQ couldn’t - so poor old Liz did look a tad insincere throughout the whole tragedy.

The book is wonderful and often very funny. He looks forward to the day when the names of old people in homes - Frank, Arthur, Agnes etc. change to Wayne, Melanie and Darren. In one of his plays a bloke was welcomed to the old folks home with the words ‘Welcome - you’re our first Kevin’.

Definitely a ‘National Treasure’ - I’m looking forward to ‘The History Boys’ next week.
KAZ
*Tights weren't invented until 1965