#MelvynBragg #TV Interview Question: 'So, Sir Lawrence, how do you prepare, what if any, are your methods when performing?' #LawrenceOlivier TV Interview Answer: 'Well, if I told you THAT, dear boy... everyone would be doing it!'
THE 1983 #SouthBank
Show three part tribute, was seen as a long awaited for celebration of
an even longer and distinguished career . . . and maybe a well timed
opportunity to lift some veils'. It manages to be unusually intimate,
thanks largely to the skillful and, when need be, persistent
interviewing techniques of Melvyn Bragg.. but not even Bragg could crack
this safe!
ABOVE: Peter
and Helen Cushing, Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh arrive at
Freemantle, Australia with the Old Vic Theatre Company....during their
tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1948.... they performed
Shakespeare's Richard III and Sheridan's 'School for Scandal'.... (A:
Helen Cushing B: Peter Cushing C: Laurence Olivier.
ACTORS,
of a certain era, were well known to rather sell you their granny, than
share, the spoils of their hard graff and years of grind and tweaking,
that perfected the range and mystery that gave them their on screen / on
stage magic. #PeterCushing,
for many years counted both Olivier and his wife Vivien, friends, to
both he and his wife Helen, having toured and worked with Olivier and
his cast on tours in 1948 of #Australia and #NewZealand,
1949 in the West End, and 51 for Olivier's Festival Season . . . I am
sure, Larry shared some nods and suggestions during that time! So, how
typical it is of the gentleman and sharing soul, of Peter Cushing, to go
against tradition and type, to spill some thoughts and paths of
knowledge.
Peter Cushing as Osric in the 1948 film production of 'HAMLET' starring and directed by Lawrence Olivier.
THERE ARE MANY stories of young actors, working on a film with Cushing,
during their first or only second flick, coming under Peter's wing and
he, by their later admission, more than saving their bacon, after
tripping over the cables and bumping into the furniture. #MichaelCaine,
years ago recorded a television workshop, where he shared it ALL. And
before, you think for a moment, Caine had little to share.... Caine's
session really was a '#masterclass'... the whole content was transferred into a best selling book and paperback.
OVER THE YEARS, I have lost count of the students, who either had a DVD of a
fourth generation VHS recording of the tv show or a well thumbed copy
of the book, in their bag! Cushing was well known for his attention to
details, costume, make up, props, cuff-links, buttons and ... timing.
This text taken is from the #vintage radio / video recording, that you can find in the #PCASuk video gallery, is well worth a dip! 😏 - Marcus
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co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK and USA
