The Lady in the Van
A BBC Radio 4 adaptation
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The Lady in the Van
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Narrated by:
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Alan Bennett
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full cast
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Maggie Smith
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By:
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Alan Bennett
About this listen
Maggie Smith stars in this BBC radio adaptation of Alan Bennett's highly acclaimed autobiographical stage play.
An eccentric old lady moves into a quiet street in Camden Town. There she remains, installed in her van in glorious self-sufficiency, until the council instructs her to move on. Then a kind homeowner invites her to move her van into his garden - where she stays for the next 15 years. This is the fascinating story of the genteel vagrant who found a unique place in Alan Bennett's life and writing.
But the drama is as much about the author himself as Miss Shepherd. Why did Alan Bennett let her commandeer his driveway? Was he acting out of kindness, weakness or hidden guilt over not spending enough time with his own mother? Did he always subconsciously plan to exploit Miss Shepherd for literary profit?
Thought provoking and moving, The Lady in the Van tackles profound questions about social responsibility, homelessness and mental illness with a lightness of touch characteristic of Bennett the master storyteller.
With a full cast including Adrian Scarborough, Marcia Warren and Alan Bennett, this bittersweet comic tale stars Maggie Smith as Miss Shepherd.
Now a major BBC feature film starring Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings.
©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Lady in the Van
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chrissierose
- 09-06-16
Funny and charming listen
Funny and charming listen. She reminds me of characters I have met in real life.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pat-a-cake
- 09-10-22
Fabulous
Absolutely love this play. Apart from enjoying and love the two main actors it brings back such happy memories of when I saw it on stage.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- little nellie kelly
- 22-03-16
The Lady in the Van
I enjoyed this delightful narration. I always enjoy Maggie Smith.The time passed so quickly that I was sorry when it finished.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-04-23
Excellent
Excellent charm and Witt and humour just what is expected from an Alan Bennett
Play . Skilfully written and executed.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 19-08-20
Really good, I loved it.
I really enjoyed listening to this, loved the narration. Wish it was a bit longer though :)
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ardeshir Sarosh
- 26-01-23
Most excellent
Play book or film well worth watching. Or as the case is listening a sad but very funny ending.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- John
- 12-10-15
Fantastic
Absolutely wonderful! Maggie Smith in particular shines, delivering each line with comic perfection and each utterance provided masterfully - Alan Bennet also brilliant as himself
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maxine
- 06-11-16
Quirky and enjoyable
I really enjoyed this. Alan is candid, observant and articulate. Listen to ths book you will be glad you did!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- peter mcphail
- 12-02-21
absolutely Amazing
loved it have seen the film but this proformance was fantastic.
I just love the whole thing
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- iris
- 27-01-16
Delightful and enchanting!
Alan Bennet's lady in the van is none other than Maggie Smith who gives a wonderful performance. This true story recounts a tale of a real character, an eccentric. I was brought up in Camden in the early sixties and there were several eccentrics living there from the lady who accosted every man asking if he were Mr Daly, the old man in my street who lived in a house full of newspapers piled up everywhere and the shellshock man who wandered around spitting out imaginary mud from his mouth. As he was quite elderly I suppose he really had been in the First World War. Just to say that I do not doubt the authenticity of this lady. Bravo to Alan Bennet who allowed her to stay in his garden for all those years. It will have you laughing out loud at times, disgusted and maybe even tearful.
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4 people found this helpful