What a delight The Last of the Hardy Players (Radio 4) turned out to be. Julian Fellowes went to Dorchester to interview Norrie Woodhall, a sharp 104-year old who knew Thomas Hardy through his involvement with the local amateur-dramatics group.
Woodhall recalled rehearsals at Hardy's home, Max Gate, for a 1924 production of Tess. Hardy apologised that he hadn't written much for her to say. "Well," she said firmly, "he hadn't." She got the acting bug as she watched the players rehearse at the hotel her family ran: "I had a hole in one of the curtains, and I used to watch. I just longed to be in it myself." When the Players disbanded, she said: "Life was gone for me in Dorchester."
My favourite bit was when Woodhall remembered Florence Hardy, and didn't mince her words. "I took an instant dislike to her," she snapped. Florence had talked Woodhall's sister, Gertrude – an acclaimed actress – out of playing Tess in a London production. "[Florence] became insanely jealous," Woodhall explained. "And I do say insanely."
The programme also contained charming anecdotes about the challenges of performing Hardy's work on stage, then and now. We heard about a drunken sheep shearer who had to bring a flock on stage with him, and went rather off-script: "He kissed them and sang to them."
guardian.co.uk
You might also like::
- Jack Johnson Arrested
- Bombshell: FEMA Camps Confirmed
- Veterans Day 2010 — why not volunteer to help veterans other days, too?
- Local sculptor sees his "Pyramid Earth" relocated to Oakland Comm College
- Surveillance photos released of Concord armed robbery suspects
- Zenyatta Breeders Cup 2010 Results
- Mehserle sentencing expected Friday
- Keith Olbermann SUSPENDED From MSNBC Indefinitely Without Pay
- Exclusive: Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo Are Engaged!
- Valdosta State University
- Oregon governor election results - John Kitzhaber projected winner
- Obama admits he got a ’shellacking,’ but shows no sign of budging on core agenda
- Randy Moss Claimed by Titans
- California Election Results: Barbara Boxer Defeats Carly Fiorina In 2010 Senate Race
- Early Election Results 2010
- Voting Locations By Zip Code Using Mobile Devices
- Thanksgiving Pictures, Thanksgiving Clip Art: Where You Can Get It For Your Kids
- Randy Moss CUT By Minnesota Vikings: Report
- Playboy Model Tiffany Livingston Detained After Flight Meltdown
mobil keluarga ideal terbaik indonesia