I hate AB's works &c.

[VodkaDilc]

I thought the nasty article in last week's Spectator, in which AB was slated, was a one-off - probably written by an old fogey who doesn't like a bit of innocent innuendo. But now I see a second person who does not put AB on the same pedestal as the rest of us.

It is completely their loss. I rarely use the tired phrase 'national treasure', but, for once, its use is appropriate.

[Pianorak]

I really don't think the OP deserves any response in this instance.

He does have some positive things to say (my bold):

John Culshaw has long held a great fascination for me. . .

To my ears, his parting shot for Decca - Solti's Elektra - is the best thing to bear his name: some of the extra-musical effects go right over the top, but I don't care - the result is thrilling. . .

I subsequently learned that Culshaw was a prosmiscuous homosexual and an early victim of AIDS (before the disease had been recognised) and that his many visits to Australia (where he caught the disease) were for purposes of sex tourism. He led a double life: serious, sober classical music professional in the UK/America, wild, unbridled queen in the Antipodes.

[Nick Armstrong]

Shouldn't the title of this thread be changed, ff ?

I'm assuming our Mandy doesn't know Alan Bennett personally, and unless I'm wrong, to say that he "hates him" is therefore wholly inappropriate. It should be "I hate AB's works &c."

As it stands, the thread title is somewhat more obnoxious than it needs to be.

I can only take Alan Bennett's writing / delivery in relatively short bursts (half an hour is usually enough). But within that time-frame, the pleasure is intense: some perfect observation and use of the language, and an ear for the conversation of the people about whom he writes. Maybe one needs roots in the north to appreciate it fully? I don't know. I just know that he captures TO PERFECTION the sort of people I used to encounter and overhear when with my Yorkshire grandparents.

[Alison]

I find it hard to dislike anyone who has suffered with cancer.

[kernelbogey]

After reflection I've deleted my earlier post, although it quoted an AB witticism, as I am uncomfortable with the OP.
kb

[french frank]

Shouldn't the title of this thread be changed, ff ?

I'm assuming our Mandy doesn't know Alan Bennett personally, and unless I'm wrong, to say that he "hates him" is therefore wholly inappropriate. It should be "I hate AB's works &c."

An excellent alternative, Caliban. I shall alter it to "I hate AB's works &c."

Thank you.

[VodkaDilc]

I've just checked and the other person who doesn't like AB's later work (Spectator article) is Douglas Murray. He appears to be a 'British neo-conservative writer and commentator'. His previous Spectator article was slagging off president Obama. I think we should conclude that he likes going against the flow of popular opinion..

[Mandryka]

It's possible that, like Simon Jenkins, Mandryka has been driven beyond endurance by AB's latest oeuvre - a singularly ill-informed tilt at the National Trust in his play "People". Judging by the article and review in today's Sunday Times it is a lazy swipe at the NT of about 50 years ago, based on a number of false premises, with a character (played by Nicholas le Prevost) who would not have been out of place in the NT of the 1930s. But Simon Jenkins did express himself in more measured tones regarding AB's immediate future .

I liked A Question of Attribution and An Englishman Abroad, but this sounds as if it represents a serious falling off of AB's standards. Frances de la Tour - first saw her in Peter Brook's legendary A Midsummer Night's Dream in the late 1960s, playing Hermia. That was a long time before Miss jones.

I was asked to read Bennett's latest play - 'People' - and thought it an unusually obnoxious work, even by his low standards. Of course, he is welcome to pick on the NT, if he chooses to do so - but I think there are more appropriate targets for his ire. Mind you, there are probably better targets for me than ageing, semi-closeted and ostentatiously myopic 'dramatists'.

His 'works' seem to be everywhere these days - rather like AIDS was in the 80s/90s - because they represent a safe bet for unambitious theatre companies, who know that they will attract a sizeable audience of lower middle-class dullards to whom they represent 'culture'. If you subject them to even a cursory analysis, though (and, let's face it, they deserve nothing more), you realise they're only on a par with Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques sketches (ie, not very
good at all). They are also dreary, pessmistic (in a peculiarly English provincial way) and anti-Life (in a peculiarly British way).

Finally, I do rather object to my thread title being altered by someone else: no, I don't know Bennett personally (and for that relief, much thanks) but I dislike both his work and his uningratiating 'media' appearances, his whingeing attempts at journalism and his pompous obituaries of his 'friends'.


If I believed in censorship, I'd suggest that his work be banned; but I don't believe in censorship, either of plays, or thread titles.

[Flosshilde]

I was asked to read Bennett's latest play - 'People' - and thought it an unusually obnoxious work, even by his low standards. Of course, he is welcome to pick on the NT, if he chooses to do so - but I think there are more appropriate targets for his ire. Mind you, there are probably better targets for me than ageing, semi-closeted and ostentatiously myopic 'dramatists'.

His 'works' seem to be everywhere these days - rather like AIDS was in the 80s/90s - because they represent a safe bet for unambitious theatre companies, who know that they will attract a sizeable audience of lower middle-class dullards to whom they represent 'culture'. If you subject them to even a cursory analysis, though (and, let's face it, they deserve nothing more), you realise they're only on a par with Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques sketches (ie, not very
good at all). They are also dreary, pessmistic (in a peculiarly English provincial way) and anti-Life (in a peculiarly British way).

Finally, I do rather object to my thread title being altered by someone else: no, I don't know Bennett personally (and for that relief, much thanks) but I dislike both his work and his uningratiating 'media' appearances, his whingeing attempts at journalism and his pompous obituaries of his 'friends'.


If I believed in censorship, I'd suggest that his work be banned; but I don't believe in censorship, either of plays, or thread titles.

I find this post objectionable & highly offensive. I suggest that Mandryka should apologise & delete it; if he does neither it should be removed anyway.

[Flosshilde]

Actually it would be better if the whole thread was removed. It's one thing saying that one doesn't like someone's work, & hopefully giving a reasoned explanation, but Mandryka seems determined to give no real critical assessment but simply says that he doesn't like AB's work in the most offensive way he can.

[teamsaint]

I should think financially struggling theatres are pretty grateful to all those "lower middle class dullards". At least they make the effort and pay their money.

Its a shame about this thread. A proper discussion might have been interesting.I would have been interested in the OP's "Anti Life" comment, if so much else hadn't been offensive.

Perhaps somebody should start an "I am interested in a critical discussion the works of AB" thread.

(The OP reminds me of the kind of completely negative bile that people like Julie Burchill used to publish in the NME years ago. That was pointless too).

[Hornspieler]

The content of the OP has been queried by a member. I take the same view as other respondents but leave it to them to pass their verdict on it. I do deprecate the expressed opinion (whether intended as black humour or not) that anyone going 'under a bus' would be in any way welcome.

Most of the other comments in the OP seem of low critical value.

A viperous and totally unneccesary attack on a popular writer who has done no harm to the OP.
Not the first time that such posts have sullied the message boards from this person.

An easy answer:

IGNORE


HS

[french frank]

If I believed in censorship, I'd suggest that his work be banned; but I don't believe in censorship, either of plays, or thread titles.

On the other hand, there are in my mind circumstances in which members of this forum should be banned, thread titles moderated and threads closed or removed.

FoR3 does not pay out of our own resources (which means the pockets of individuals) to provide a platform for non-supporters to express whatever views they wish and bring FoR3 and the forum community into disrepute.

After the first complaint I allowed the thread to remain open to give other members the opportunity to give their views. I have now had a second official complaint and am satisfied that forum members are sufficiently disapproving of the content for moderation to be generally approved of.

The thread will be closed and if there is any further repetition of your views on the subject here you will be put into pre-moderation.