Charles Wood obituary | Stage | The Guardian
I’m sad that I missed this news in February, especially as I’m ‘Facebook friends’ with Charles Wood’s writer daughter Kate but then again I’ve spent great chunks of time not … Continue reading
Manchester’s Royal Exchange theatre says 65% of roles could be made redundant | Stage | The Guardian
Illustrious venue says the government’s plans for the industry give them no ‘confidence or clarity to be able to restart any activities in the immediate future’. The Royal Exchange relies … Continue reading
Lyn Gardner: Is honesty always the best policy? | Opinion, Picks | The Stage
We’ve all been there. A friend has written, or directed, or has a role in a new production. You’ve been to see it and now you wish you hadn’t. It … Continue reading
Henry Montague: First Shepherd of the Lambs
Just a quick shout out to honor the natal day of actor Henry James Montague (Henry John Mann, 1843-1878). Montagu came to our attention through that eerie, ghostly portrait above, … Continue reading
On the Pivotal Thomas Mitchell: From Classics to “Columbo” | Travalanche
The great Thomas Mitchell (1892-1962) came into the world on this day (11th July). Mitchell remains well-known today as a character actor with parts in an unnaturally long list of … Continue reading
The Ups and Downs of Lina Basquette | Travalanche
Lina Basquette (Lena Copeland Baskette) was born on April 19, 1907. Basquette was a star of stage and screen through several different phases but is perhaps best remembered today for … Continue reading
Joseph Cotten: Courtliness Personified | Travalanche
Joseph Cotten (1905-1994) was born on May 15. The late year of his death surprised me. Cotten’s last film had been in 1981 and I couldn’t imagine him ever not … Continue reading
Don Juan in Soho, Wyndham’s Theatre, London, 2017 | reviewdonkey
The 17th Century version of this play closed, after only one performance, because of its repulsive and offensive nature. It was not shown in an uncensored form again for almost 150 … Continue reading
Stars of Vaudeville #1037: Charles Chaplin, Sr. | Travalanche
Born on this date in 1863: Charles Chaplin the Elder: the father of his better-known namesake, comedian and movie star Charlie Chaplin. It’s not as well known today that in … Continue reading
![John Barrymore, Photograph by Arnold Genthe, October 3, 1922 [Wikimedia]](https://roguesandvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/john_barrymore.jpg?w=155&h=110&crop=1)
Quote • JOHN BARRYMORE • Famous Last Words
“Die, I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.” These are often incorrectly cited as the last words of the … Continue reading
Quote • PEGGY ASHCROFT • Much Ado About Nothing
‘[Sir John] Gielgud revived his own colourful, ingeniously designed 1949 production a year later, casting himself as Benedick to Peggy Ashcroft’s Beatrice. On the first night the pair drank a … Continue reading
Quote • ALAN RICKMAN • Susan Sarandon
“Alan Rickman was an actor’s actor; courageous, generous, witty & surprising. When he laughed he lit up a room. A prince. You will be missed.” Susan Sarandon quoted in The … Continue reading
Quote • ALAN RICKMAN • The Profession
“The profession should be and is a kind of relay race – about information, opinions and passions being passed on.” — Alan Rickman, Theatregoer Magazine, November 2001 First quoted on R&V … Continue reading
![Edward Albee photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1961. [Wikimedia]](https://roguesandvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/edward_albee_van_vechten.jpg?w=155&h=110&crop=1)
Quote • EDWARD ALBEE • ‘A Terrible Drunk’
‘I used to be a terrible drunk. I insisted on setting everyone straight about what was wrong with them. And I’m told that I’d go to the theatre, and I’d … Continue reading
Quote • NOËL COWARD • Oscar Wilde
“Am reading more of Oscar Wilde. What a tiresome, affected sod” Noël Coward
Quote • ANNA MAXWELL MARTIN • Backstage Jealousy
‘Oh yes, people keep pulling knives on me and threatening me with guns.’ Anna Maxwell Martin when asked if there was jealousy backstage at the National because of the reception … Continue reading
Quote • PETER USTINOV • Comedy and Tragedy
“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious” ― Peter Ustinov
Quote • LILIAN BAYLISS to QUEEN MARY
1918 Royal Centenary Gala. Baylis to Queen Mary: ‘Your dear husband’s picture isn’t as big as Aunt Emmie’s [Emma Cons], but then he hasn’t done so much for The Old … Continue reading
Quote • HENRY IRVING • Faust & Romeo & Juliet
‘I had seen [Henry Irving] in Faust, his blanched face appearing in the unholy light of thirty limes, a long, thin figure in red, heightened by the tall feather in … Continue reading
Quote • RICHARD BEAN
‘If it’s a play about someone’s private experience, or someone’s personal problem or a family that is a bit dysfunctional, I shrug my shoulders and say so what? I’ve got … Continue reading
Quote • KEN DODD • Comedy and Craft
‘There was more art to comedy years ago. Comics were masters of their craft. Today there are precious few places to learn that craft and far too much emphasis on … Continue reading
Quote • MIRIAM MARGOLYES • Being Grand
“I can’t keep my mouth shut – but as long as I get what I want, I’m lovely. You can’t be grand in this business, it’s stupid. I’m genuinely democratic … Continue reading
![Downey at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con International [Wikipedia]](https://roguesandvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/robert_downey_jr_2014_comic_con_cropped.jpg?w=155&h=110&crop=1)
Quote • ROBERT DOWNEY JR • Acting
“I know very little about acting. I’m just an incredibly gifted faker.” Robert Downey Jr
Quote • CECIL B DE MILLE • Creation
‘Creation is a drug I can’t do without.’ Cecil B. DeMille The Plainsman [DVD] [1936]
Quote • ANNIE CASTLEDINE • Regional Theatre • 2003
‘All regional theatres are vulnerable in their programming in a way they were not in their past. They are too concerned with audience targets and what their boards will say, … Continue reading
Quote • CORIN REDGRAVE • The Recruiting Officer • 2003
‘And The Recruiting Officer, written shortly after the battle of Blenheim, is a brilliant comedy about the way country people were exploited by members of Marlborough’s army. It’s one of … Continue reading
Chanel on Stage
Originally posted on The Genealogy of Style:
? ? Coco is a 1969 musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by André Previn, inspired by…
Quote • Janet McTeer • Confidence
‘Put a note on your mirror saying: “Someone has to succeed – why shouldn’t it be me?”’ Janet McTeer, The Guardian, 30 January 2007.
ARTS COUNCIL FUNDS NEW PLAY BY ROSE COLLIS
Writer and performer Rose Collis has been awarded funding from Grants for the Arts, supported by the Arts Council England, to create a new stage play about 50s media stars … Continue reading
Quote • STANLEY HOLLOWAY • My Fair Lady
Stanley Holloway [1890-1982] appeared on Broadway with Rex Harrison [1908-1990] in My Fair Lady in 1957. Harrison had a reputation for being very abrupt with his fans. One night after a performance of the … Continue reading
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