220. I would have liked to attend my own funeral

Alan Bennett’s new book, “Enough Said,” is now on the stalls, released by Faber & Faber. It comprises the diary entries of his 90th year.

English playwright, author, actor, and screenwriter Alan Bennett has received four Laurence Olivier Awards, four BAFTA Awards, two Tony Awards, and the Society of London Theatre Special Award. 

His plays, including The Madness of King George, The History Boys, and The Lady in the Van, were adapted into films. However, he is most famous for Beyond the Fringe, a successful show at the 1960 Edinburgh Festival that is considered a key influence on the ‘satire boom' and the growth of satirical comedy in 1960s Britain.

In fact, it was also a precursor to notable British television programmes such as That Was the Week That Was, Private Eye, and At Last the 1948 Show.

Beyond the Fringe was a series of satirical sketches and musical performances that used minimal sets. 

It examined recent events and reflected the viewpoints and disillusionment of Britain’s first post-World War II generation, while expressing a sense of loss due to the decline of the British Empire. The show challenged the traditional norms by mocking the Royal Family and the government of that era. Shakespearean drama was also another focus of their humor. 

The content ignited a mood worldwide, leading to the launch of satirical magazines at the same time, including Spy, an American magazine. 

I haven't seen the play, but I am aware of it because Beyond the Fringe was recreated for an episode of the Netflix series The Crown. In that episode, Prime Minister Macmillan appears and is directly criticized by Peter Cook, portrayed by Patrick Warner. 

I am eagerly looking forward to reading “Enough Said,” as it includes his personal views on everyday life and his reflections around the world. According to the promotional literature issued by the publisher, one entry dated February 10, 2024, is something like this – 

“The party I would have liked to attend is my own funeral. I’d like to know who came and what they said, who wept and who didn’t, and how long it took for friends to get over it.”

These two sentences are enough to make me want to grab the book.