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
Peth’s 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 | |
| |
|
|
