Writer Alan Bennett reads extracts from the third collection of his diaries.

Starting in 2005 - his play 'The History Boys' has its last production at the National Theatre and Alan laments the many abandoned pieces he has written.

Covering the years 2005 to 2014, the diaries cover a packed decade that included writing four highly-acclaimed plays – 'The Habit of Art', ‘People’, ‘Hymn’ and ‘Cocktail Sticks’, all of which premiered at the National Theatre – as well as the screenplays for the hit films of ‘The History Boys’ and ‘’The Lady in the Van’.

In addition, Alan reflects on 25 years of friendship and collaboration with director Nicholas Hytner, life with his partner Rupert Thomas and, radical views notwithstanding, his status as ‘kindly, cosy and essentially harmless’ – a view which these diaries do their best to disprove.

Alan’s previous diary collections are 'Writing Home' and 'Untold Stories'.

Omnibus of the five of ten parts covering 2005 - 2009.

Abridged and produced by Gordon House.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016. Show less