- Winnie is a mentally handicapped woman who lives with her elderly mother (Cora) and aunt (Ida). They visit the cemetery where Winnie's father is buried. Also in the cemetery are two art students, one of whom (Liz) asks if she can take a photograph of the three women. She takes it while they are not prepared, making them look ridiculous (Cora is putting her make-up on, Winnie is staring at the camera with her mouth open). Cora is angry, and Liz takes another of them properly posed. But she enters the first photograph for a competition, where it wins a prize.—Peter Brynmor Roberts
- The story is typical of Alan Bennett's work both in setting and themes. Based on his childhood experiences visiting a cemetery in Leeds, the play portrays Winnie, her mother Cora, and aunt Ida visiting the grave of Winnies father. There is a sense of occasion in this regular activity, akin to attending church (best clothes, best behaviour). A number of Bennett's plays have used those with learning difficulties or other vulnerabilities who are portrayed as humane figures that are subject to the harshness of others and the world. This play also looks at the artists motivation to achieve their artistic ends, even at the cost of others.
Winnie has learning difficulties. She never speaks and has a child-like mind; she switches quickly from joy to sorrow, and from sulkiness to affection. She is both overly protected by her mother Cora, but also frequently chastised. At the same time, the feeling is that Winnies disabilities have held Cora back, or at least made life much harder for her.
In the cemetery, a selfish photography student, Liz, shows little regard for human emotions. She orders the cemetery staff around, despite their attempts to accommodate her and her project; she intrusively photographs grieving mourners without permission; finally she takes photos of Cora, Winnie and Ida without their complete approval.
The Bennett character of the piece, another young art student, prefers the honest simplicity and solitude of sketching a still life of a monument. His art is something that Cora can relate to, unlike the technically complex modern art of photography. However, when challenged by Liz that he would draw her [Winnie], he demurs in favour of the cameras skill in capturing life.
Winnie, Cora and Ida return home to reminisce over old photos of happier times and life goes on. The final scene shows the student art exhibition themed around cemeteries ending on the images of Winnie, Cora and Ida, and of Winnie alone, that Liz took.
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What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of Our Winnie (1982) in Australia?
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