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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

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Book at Bedtime: The Shielding of Mrs Forbes

Book at Bedtime: The Shielding of Mrs Forbes: Episode 4

The Shielding of Mrs Forbes

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - Book at Bedtime, The Shielding of Mrs Forbes, Episode 4

Alan Bennett continues his delightful 'unseemly story' from his recently-published novella

Alan Bennett continues his wicked 'unseemly story' from his recent novella Smut. The whole precarious facade of Graham's new marriage threatens to topple.

4/5 Alan Bennett's delightful "unseemly" story The Shielding of Mrs. Forbes send-ups up the vanities and hypocrisies of Middle England by taking the Mrs. Bucket motto of 'Keeping Up Appearances' to its extreme conclusion. Bennett writes about unconventional sexual arrangements among the apparently conventional. The snobbish and priggish Mrs. Forbes is appalled that her son Graham has "chucked himself away" by marrying the unprepossessing Betty. What she (apparently) doesn't know is that her son is gay, and by marrying Betty he is not only ensuring his financial future, but also - he thinks - helping himself and his mother keep up appearances. The marriage is actually working better than any party had a right to expect. Graham enjoys the novelty of sex with a woman, while still taking the occasional night out with his gentlemen friends. And Mr. Forbes realises that his daughter-in-law, while not conventionally beautiful, is intelligent, witty and great fun - and a welcome relief from his wife. Much of his spare time is spent doing DIY jobs for her. All would be well were it not for the re-appearance of one of Graham's paid lovers - the ubiquitous Gary/Kevin who, finding out that Graham has not told his mother he is gay, starts to blackmail him. A trip to the police station to report the blackmail leads to an unexpected and unwelcome revelation.

Producer Gordon House
Executive Producer: Sara Davies.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

By Alan Bennett. A snobbish and priggish mother does not realise her son is gay

By Alan Bennett. Graham tries to protect his snobbish and priggish mother from the truth about his sexuality

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