09 November, 2013

EDWARD AS GEORGE III

Edward will appear as guest lead in an episode of the forthcoming television adaptation of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, the 2004 debut novel by Susanna Clarke. The story is an ‘alternative history’ set in nineteenth-century England at the time of the Napoleonic Wars and is based on the premise that magic once existed in England and has returned with two men, Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange. Edward will play the part of King George III.

The book was longlisted for the Man Booker, shortlisted for the Whitbread First Novel Award and won a total of six awards, including The Times Best Novel of the Year.

The seven-part TV series is adapted by Peter Harness and directed by Toby Haynes. It will be broadcast next year on BBC One and BBC America.

02 November, 2013

MICHAEL COVENEY ON SLIM CHANCES NT 50

From Michael Coveney’s WhatsOnStage blog, ‘Superb BBC films celebrate the National; so does Edward Petherbridge’, (1st November):
As we all gear up for tomorrow night’s anniversary gala in the Olivier – I count myself lucky and privileged to have a ticket – which is broadcast live on BBC2, there’s just time to acknowledge another important contribution to the literature surrounding the occasion (no sign yet of Daniel Rosenthal’s “authorized” history): a reissue of Edward Petherbridge’s Slim Chances.
Petherbridge’s new sub-title – “NT 50: Personal, Partial, Unofficial” – is a treasure trove of wonderful stories, poems and memories of his time in Olivier’s company, from playing small parts in Othello and Royal Hunt to Ferdinand Gadd in Trelawny of the Wells and Guildenstern in Stoppard’s debut play; and then beyond to his participation in the Hall regime (he ran a company with Ian McKellen) and Trevor Nunn’s.
He’s particularly touching in conveying the downside of being an actor, the odd feeling of being lonely and undervalued in an otherwise happy ensemble, something Michael Blakemore doesn't quite catch in his own wonderful account of five years with Olivier, Stage Blood (Petherbridge had six with Sir).
“No job gave me a stronger sense of desolation, of being nothing” writes Petherbridge, “than standing in the plainest of 17th century garb with Christopher Timothy, on Dutch Courtesan nights, waiting to lay a carpet to give Billie Whitelaw somewhere to lounge.” Who’d be an actor, even at the National?
To read the post in full, click here.

Order a signed copy of this special edition of Slim Chances, complete with bonus 78-minute CD, from Peths Staging Post.

From the book: The Old Vic rehearsal room. Left to right: Gillian Barge, Frank Wylie (seated), Laurence Olivier, Michael Turner (in back), Edward Hardwicke, Margot Cunningham, EP, Kenneth Mackintosh. Photo by Chris Arthur