Thank you so much for uploading this. I am a long time admirer and reader of Alan Bennett and to my mind, or heart he is the best living English author (writer, playwright, diarist). His autobiographical writings (in his diaries but also elsewhere) and his pathos and bathos, his heartbreaking and humour, hid wisdom and self-deprecation (and all things that may clash with the former in his writing) are so vividly real, relatable and yet superbly put (Art, innit?) that I needed more of his public speaking or rare interviews not much or so I thought until I watched or listened to them. The humanity comes through, and not having much in common with him I identify with him and most of what he writes. National treasure? I'm not surprised he feels prickly or embarrassed at that accolade. How about Universal Treasure. I can guess his response but he deserves it.
