‘Chip in the Sugar’ Coursework Talking Heads ‘Chip in the Sugar’ Coursework

...Coursework title... ‘Gossip as drama’ is a phrase which has been used of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads monologues. Focusing on ‘Chip in the Sugar,’ analyse how Alan Bennett creates ‘gossip as drama’ to explore deeper underlying issues of everyday life and society.

Things to discuss - framework Gossip as drama Manipulation of TV intimacy Everyday life – trivial issues Relationships – Graham-mother, Graham-Frank, Frank-mother Mental health – Graham, Community Centre, the health system (failing society)

Framework ‘Gossip as drama’ Recounting events – like gossip The need to gossip to someone – audience is the ‘other’ person – TV intimacy (DRAMA) BUT drama creates a barrier between us and Graham so we are unable to gossip back - Brecht (It is not real!) Graham’s own opinions – bias Exaggerated – audience in false sense of trust due to TV intimacy and trivial issues ‘he said – she said’

Manipulation of TV intimacy TV zooming is natural Music distances the intimacy of TV by a regulated refrain that is used to suggest something odd Graham / narrator is always talking to you as an individual! There is only him – in his bedroom – intimate space (his space) – mise-en-scene progresses the intimacy

Everyday life and trivial issues Normal everyday occurrences which are trivial allow for the audience to relate to situation straight away BUT slight oddness about Graham – barrier Title is trivial! – But it is not only the metaphor for the whole play but the most important thing to Graham – title is trivial and makes you question it Disabled toilets Remember to switch off your blanket WHAT IS THE UNDERLYING ISSUE HERE THOUGH?! WHAT IS ALAN BENNET ACTUALLY TRYING TO SAY?

Relationships – Graham and mother Inappropriate – ‘Boyfriend’ live together and link arms – circular – day trips (shows lack of independence) Power struggle (at the beginning – at the end – undercurrent throughout) creates tension Relationship almost false – frank reminds them of what they have? Robotic in what they say to each other – do they actually communicate before Frank? Reverse roles – mother reverts to child – links to when she see frank (childlike)

Frank and Vera Frank is an old flame – she remembers him! Relevance of why she can remember him? Odd ‘looking’ – he is shorter than her – she has to bend down to kiss him He looks odd – what he wears compared to how she dresses She becomes his mouth piece

Graham and Frank Clash of: personality, views, dress, political views, height, newspapers, buildings, interests, young and old – but they try to represent the opposite age group, best interests for Vera The only thing they have in common is Vera – she brings them together and pushes them apart. Both are not acting their age.

Mental Health Day Care Centre – failing people – discusses peoples problems but doesn’t actually help them. – First time Graham DOES say something – ironic because it is the one place he should be able to say something BUT it doesn’t help him at all! Misfits in society all have different probs which means that they can’t relate to each others probs BUT Graham is desperately trying to make his problem seem natural. Frank doesn’t believe in mental health issues – controversial topic to be discussing – Cafe is intimate setting 1:1 – Gossip as drama ‘Have a tablet’ – medicine should be seen as progress