Adjustment Quote by Alan Bennett
![“There's very little in the substance of [THE LADY IN THE VAN] which is not fact though some adjustments have had to be made. Over the years Miss Shepherd was visited by a succession of social workers so the character in the play is a composite figure. . . . A composite too are the neighbours…” quote by Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e7/alan-bennett-1922_adjustment_there-s-very-little-in-the-substance-of_239144.jpg)
“There's very little in the substance of [THE LADY IN THE VAN] which is not fact though some adjustments have had to be made. Over the years Miss Shepherd was visited by a succession of social workers so the character in the play is a composite figure. . . . A composite too are the neighbours, Pauline and Rufus, though I have made Rufus a publisher in remembrance of my neighbour, the late Colin Haycraft, the proprietor of Duckworth's.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Lady in the Van, 1999
The play blends factual events with artistic adjustments, creating a composite of real people for dramatic effect.
In simple terms: Real events mixed with creative changes.
Key Takeaway
Balance truth and storytelling.
Themes
drama
truth
artistic license
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- writing a play
- adapting real stories
- creating composite characters
Key Concepts
theatre
biography
character construction
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide what facts to alter?
- What impact does a composite character have on audience perception?
A Different Perspective
Artistic changes may blur factual accuracy.
