A Lady of letters

“A Lady of Letters” was one of six monologues written by the distinguished English playwright Alan Bennett. It was performed by actress Patricia Routledge. In an article in the Radio Times, Alan Bennett writes: “ I first ventured on a monologue a few years ago in “ A woman of no importance” which was also performed by Patricia Routledge. While in television terms a monologues is something of a departure, it its also the oldest form in the world, one person telling a tale and (since none of theses characters quite come clean) telling a tale in the Northern sense of telling a lie”. He ends his article: “ Though none of theses characters are bores I’m not sure I want to get saddled with them on a long railway journey. I wouldn’t mind eavesdropping, though, overhearing them talking to someone else which is, I suppose, what I’ve ended up doing in these programmes.”