Norman Beaton was such a brilliant actor. This Talking Heads style monologue in which he plays a Windrush immigrant who believes in the importance of being nice to people, is a great testament to his talents. The twist may be a bit obvious, but it doesn't matter as Beaton, with his perfect, lyrical patois accent, makes the tale so engrossing.

You can watch it here

Nice - Micheal Hayes (1984)

Norman Beaton (Desmonds), a well-mannered but hapless immigrant , relays the tragicomic story of how his travels took him from Trinidad to a London prison in the style of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads.

My my this was a fabulous find. I grew up watching Norman on Desmonds and remember his death well. He had such a charming presence onscreen that watching him clear up table for 25 minutes is just a joy. So much so that the darkness in his story almost passed you by until it's over. In that way it reminded me a little of that bizarre Jim Broadbent short "A Sense of History" ...though not that dark.

Anyway, it's a brilliantly written play, top-tier acting and just a hoot; so watch it.

It's available to watch on the BFI's YouTube channel.

Norman Beaton was such a brilliant actor. This Talking Heads style monologue in which he plays a Windrush immigrant who believes in the importance of being nice to people, is a great testament to his talents. The twist may be a bit obvious, but it doesn't matter as Beaton, with his perfect, lyrical patois accent, makes the tale so engrossing.

You can watch it here