Sunset Across the Bay

Alan Bennett's play 'Sunset Across The Bay' looks simple on the surface: a character study of a long marriage which has settled into routine, where the wife has been a housewife and the husband a worker in engineering.

From the Leeds slums where they live - about to be demolished - to the seaside retirement flat at Morecambe, we see the old couple struggle to adjust to spending time together after a life where every day was the same.

As 'Dad' says, he's worked all his life to do nothing, and it's difficult for him to adjust.

Quietly simplistic but complex as well, 'Sunset Across The Bay' is a beautiful piece of work, and everything that drama produced today would not be. There's no great action sequences, no sex, violence, or swearing, no hand-held filming. It's completely believable and ordinary, and yet, this being Bennett, it is extraordinary as well.

The kind of thing the BBC did best in the days where they produced many plays each year: and the kind of thing which is sadly missed.

I agree with the previous writer who said what a beautiful story this is. It is poignantly sad, with a nostalgic feel about the whole thing, not least in the setting - a decaying British seaside resort in the mid '70s. But what I cannot agree with is that the couple are still "very happy" with each other. On the contrary, I think one of the saddest things about the play is that they are clearly incredibly, almost intolerably BORED with each other. Yes, they have got used to being together, but that is part of the trouble. The lady has managed to convince herself that all is fine, because she has to believe it or what would have been the point of her life? - but the man's irritation is constantly bubbling under the surface of his old-fashioned decency and courtesy. In my opinion, Bennett has hit on one of the sad truths of human life: that a large number of people who stay married for decades do it just because there is literally nothing else to do.

A marvellous play for all kinds of reasons. But try not to take it merely at face value - there are numerous side issues such as the one I mentioned above. I just wish this kind of play was written nowadays, but sadly, good playwriting seems a lost art. The BBC's "Play For Today" was superb - now we have to endure Trinny and Susannah telling us what clothes to wear.

By turns nostalgic humorous and bleak this terrific example of Bennett's work depicts a couple entering their autumn years as a series of life's doors close behind them. Retirement , the upheaval of moving from a home of some 35 years , the ongoing reconstruction and disappearance of the city they once knew and that more buttoned up generations stoic attempts to try and make the best of what they had left. Repays repeated viewing in my view. His loyalty to his employer who didn't remember his name at his retirement , The clearance of the area they had lived in (probably perfectly good houses being demolished in favour of cheaply built Tower blocks) and the general feel that they where heading for an abyss of loneliness and tragedy.

How can I get a DVD or video of the play for today named " Sunset across the Bay " Allan Bennet Play 1975 I am studying Allan Bennett at the moment and wish to view this play in either DVD or video format...I am based in Nottingham and would appreciate any help please Douglas MacDonald. I would appreciate an email reply as soon as possible and look forward to your reply. Thank you for your help and will be able to return the video or DVD as soon as possible...it is just for a class viewing during our particular session..it is being used as part of a class discussion for an adult education class for the Workers Educational Class in the Bramcote branch in the city of Nottingham.

Written by Alan Bennett and directed by Stephen Frears. Bennett recalled how as a child he spent his holidays in Morecambe where it always seem to be raining.

People from Leeds seemed to go to Morecambe for their annual holidays according to Bennett.

Here an elderly married couple retire to Morecambe from Leeds. Their house is getting knocked down, their neighbours have already been dispersed.

The man has retired from work and seems to have difficulty adjusting to retirement and with nothing to do. He finds accompanying his wife to do shopping as a bit of a chore.

He also wants to watch his pennies now that he is a pensioner. Although their son (Bob Peck) in Australia helps out financially.

The woman does her best to make friends but it is clear that both are finding it to settle in a new patch.

Bennett got a lot of inspiration form his own parents for this Play for Today. It was an age where towns were going through redevelopment.

It was also a time when your post retirement years could be short. You have to make your time count.

This is a bittersweet drama. A tragi comedy and a character piece. It has some acute observations from Bennerr,

You sense that it might not end well, the man is already bored and getting listless. His wife is making the best of the situation.

Maybe both should had taken their son's offer to relocate to Australia.

It has an early appearance from Bob Peck, better known to a worldwide audience as the ranger in Jurassic Park.