I think I’m going to be sick. ibid. Sue to Beverly
He’s very quick tempered. I think it’s because of his red hair. ibid. Angela to Beverly
Was your husband violent? Oh she’s one of the lucking ones, isn’t she? ibid. Angela to Sue
Beverly: Apart from that, it’s just boring, do you know what I mean?
Angela: I think that comes from being married though doesn’t it? The fun wears off. ibid.
You know Shakespeare? At school. Well I have the complete works here. Yes, they are very well bound. They’re embossed in gold ... Of course they’re not something you can actually read. ibid. Laurence to Tony
Laurence, we are not here to hold conversations. We are here to enjoy ourselves. ibid. Beverly
We’re all getting a little bit merry, aren’t we? ibid. Angela to Laurence
Come on, Tone. Have a little dance. Come on. ibid. Beverly to Tony
You don’t mind me mauling your husband, do you, Ange? ibid. Beverly
Now who’s for another drink? ibid. Beverly
Can I have a cigarette? You see once you smoke one cigarette you want to keep on smoking, don’t you? ibid. Angela to Tony, Beverly offering
I like footballers’ legs actually. Nice and muscly, aren’t they? ibid. Beverly
[Laurence has heart attack, with Beethoven’s Fifth the backdrop]
He happens to be my husband. ibid. Beverly to Angela
Ange, angle, his face is going all blue, look. ibid.
Ange, listen to that noise he’s making. ibid.
Angela, I told him this would happen. ibid.
Sue, do you want a little drop of brandy? No? Tone? Angela, do you? ibid. Beverly
The thing is I’m very fond of him. ibid.
Abigail, it’s mummy here. Abigail? Abigail! ibid. Sue
Are you interested in snakes at all? Snakes are completely non-political. Play for Today: The After Dinner Joke, major, BBC 1978
Or a question of manufacturing quotes which is going to get you into the most awful trouble one day. Play for Today: One Bummer News Day, journalist’ talk, BBC 1978
Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge not wholly or in full measure but very substantially. A moment comes which comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance. At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world sleeps India will awake to life and freedom. Play for Today: Destiny, BBC 1978
In Birmingham today the right-on Enoch Powell, Shadow Spokesman on Defence, We must be mad, he says … ibid. right-wing meeting gets the news
Another England brash and bold, a new world brave and bright and cold. The Sergeant looks at England and it’s changed before his eyes … ibid. commentary
Join with us and make our country great again. ibid. Nation Forward party spokesman
I remember long ago when I was small the Coronation, the climbing of Mount Everest, a kind of homely dainty patriotism harmless, slightly precious self-content, a watercolour world, you know. And then talking to these people, their monstrous chauvinism, grisly xenophobia, a dark desire for something, dark and nasty. ibid. dude
Come down to it the choice is Socialism or Barbarity. ibid. bloke in prison cell
I remember long ago when I was small the Coronation, the climbing of Mount Everest, a kind of homely dainty patriotism harmless, slightly precious self-content, a watercolour world, you know. And then talking to these people, their monstrous chauvinism, grisly xenophobia, a dark desire for something, dark and nasty. ibid. dude
Come down to it the choice is Socialism or Barbarity. ibid. bloke in prison cell
First there’ll be the blacks and Asians. Then the Jews and Irish. And this ain’t easy speeches – this is true. And then it’ll be the unions. Oh ar make no mistake. The Labour Party – that’ll do. The others too. All in the interests of the nation. And to save the nation, they’ll destroy the nation. All of it except themselves. And if we let ’em, we’ve got ourselves to blame. Our fault. We turned our back. ibid. striker
Margery’s dead. She was murdered, Alan, last night. Some time in the night … I couldn’t just let you walk into it. Play for Today: The Chief Mourner, Fay to Alan, BBC 1979
Why didn’t you tell the police the truth? ibid.
You dad’s no blinkin’ good for nothing at all. Play for Today: Blue Remembered Hills, Peter, BBC 1979
How dare they say music hall is dead when jokes like that survive. Play for Today: Comedians, Eddie, BBC 1979
He dares to see what his customers shy away from. ibid.
A joke that feeds on ignorance starves the audience. ibid.
I like big boobs and long legs, hah! Play for Today: Who’s Who by Mike Leigh, broker’ talk, BBC 1979
There’s no joy being a plantation worker any more. The whole of Africa has been infiltrated by Reds, Kevin. ibid. clerk’ talk
You’re on the path to somethingness. Play for Today: Instant Enlightenment, trainer, BBC 1979
He will stand and speak only to the oracle … This seminar is now in session: it was last for 15 hours. Shut up! ibid.
If the trainee feels the need to vomit … ibid.
You’re here because your lives don’t work. ibid. Oracle
You paid £180 to be locked in a hotel room for 3 days. ibid.
All I knew was that I wanted girls. As many girls as I was able to find. Play for Today: Dreams of Leaving, William, BBC 1980
I love more than anything to make love to strangers. ibid. Caroline
Everything I said was trying to please her. ibid. William
That sort of weakness disgusts me … Be your own man. ibid. Caroline