ralphsmotorbike: The Illustrated London News featured this photograph and wonderful tribute to Sir R
ralphsmotorbike: The Illustrated London News featured this photograph and wonderful tribute to Sir Ralph Richardson on his 80th birthday in 1982, written by longtime critic J.C. Trewin.“When I went first to the theatre, and one Shakespeare company or another seemed usually to be about, an Irish actor-manager called Charles Doran arrived at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth. I could not have imagined then that over four decades later, Charles Doran would lunch with us in Hampstead. We spoke of his touring experience and his casts, and he said wistfully: ‘I did know how to find them, didn’t I?’ Indeed he did. His Macbeth company in 1922 contained, as Banquo,19-year-old Ralph Richardson. Now, on December 19, 1982, Sir Ralph will be celebrating his 80th birthday.“It is pleasant to have been so near the theatrical birth of a great English actor, though it would be cheating to say, at this move, that I remember more than a tall, study shadow. He was also Fabian in Twelfth Night and a few other characters. Today he unforgettable–a word easy enough to write, that in one sense must be modified.“When we say Richardson’s name, what do we visualize? I see 20 or more people, from Falstaff to the man named Kitchen in David Storey’s ‘Early Days.’ He remains memorable especially in the low tones that linger after many years–those of the young Peer Gynt or of Falstaff. Or as Appleby, the out-of-work actor in ‘Eden End,’ fondly recalling a critic’s praise for him: “’You’ve got a touch, Appleby, old boy; You’ve got something.’ And I have.”“No ordinary men, these; again and again in Richardson’s life the extraordinary has taken over. I speak of him confidently as a great actor because so many of the parts he has created are fixed firmly in the mind….“From all of these emerges the composite portrait of a strange, instinctive virtuoso, a compassionate man who feels intensely, a lonely tragedian, a comedian who can utilize the hesitant sierra of his speech, a man with a passion outside the theatre for fast cars, motorbikes, and unexpected hobbies; an eccentric who sustains his reputation for endearing eccentricity, withal–a great actor.“Sending him our happy returns on the edge of his 80th birthday, we can simply repeat, ‘You’ve got a touch, old boy. You’ve got something.’ He has had it gloriously through 60 years. Charles Doran did know how to ‘find them.’” It’s Ralph Richardson’s birthday and celebrating with some favorite posts -- source link