A Chip in the Sugar

A Chip in the Sugar is a dramatic monologue written by Alan Bennett in 1987 for television, as part of his Talking Heads series for the BBC. The series became very popular, moving onto BBC Radio, international theatre, becoming one of the best-selling audio book releases of all time and included as part of both the A-level and GCSE English syllabus.^[1] It was the first episode of the first series of Talking Heads and the only one which featured Alan Bennett as an actor.

Storyline

Middle-aged Graham Whittaker (who we learn is a repressed homosexual with a history of mental health problems) finds life becoming complicated as his mother or 'Mam', Vera Whittaker, with whom he still lives, reunites with an old flame named Frank Turnbull. Graham becomes increasingly disturbed when Mr Turnbull, who has outspoken and right-wing opinions which conflict with Graham´s muddled liberalism, becomes an ever-increasing influence on Mam, taking her to a 'common' café in which Graham notices a chip in the sugar. After a brief courtship, Mr Turnbull proposes to Graham's mother. It is suggested that Graham moves out of his childhood home and into a hostel. But Mr Turnbull is hiding a secret. He is already married and, despite this, has already proposed to various women before Mam. When Graham finds out, he is vastly relieved and triumphantly confronts his mother with the information. Her hopes of happiness are destroyed, but a safe, stultifying `normality´ has been restored in the existence of Graham and his mother.

Reception

Many have praised Alan Bennett's portrayal of the character of Graham, with David Tuck saying "His [Alan Bennett's] understanding of a northern English dialect is exemplary."

For his role in the episode, Alan Bennett received a nomination at the 1989 BAFTA Awards, for Best Actor.

See also

• Talking Heads (series)
• Alan Bennett
• English A-level and GCSE's

References

External links

• Episode details