Category Archives: Laurence Olivier

‘She would have been in awe of him’: how Laurence Olivier gave Margaret Thatcher private seduction lessons

Posted on by

New drama, When Maggie Met Larry, reveals exactly how the world’s most famous actor coached the fledgling Iron Lady

In 1972, a nervous Margaret Thatcher went to Laurence Olivier’s London home for a lesson on presentational skills. The most famous actor of the 20th century told the then education secretary to put a book on her head and walk around to improve her deportment. He also advised her to take long confident strides, and to use her eyes to seduce and flirt.

The future prime minister went on to visit Olivier’s house for a further five lessons, details of which are revealed in a new Radio 4 play, When Maggie Met Larry. Starring Derek Jacobi, who joined Olivier’s fledgling National Theatre when only 24, and Frances Barber as Thatcher, the drama tells of the previously unknown advice on style and voice offered to the Tory politician.

Continue reading...

Joan Plowright, celebrated star of stage and screen, dies aged 95

Posted on by

Actor helped shape British postwar theatre through her performances at the Royal Court, National Theatre and in the West End

• Michael Billington: Plowright was a dynamic force
• Joan Plowright: a life in pictures

The actor Joan Plowright, who was celebrated for her long career in theatre and film, has died at the age of 95, her family have announced.

Plowright won acclaim for performances during the early years of the English Stage Company at the Royal Court and the National Theatre when it was based at the Old Vic and led by her second husband, Laurence Olivier.

Continue reading...

‘A critic said my stomach was a warning to us all!’ Simon Callow meets Derek Jacobi

Posted on by

The theatre legends look back at working with Laurence Olivier and Peter O’Toole, the pain of biting reviews, the joy of a good run – and the agonies of being miscast

Derek Jacobi and Simon Callow first met at the Old Vic in London. Jacobi was treading the boards with Laurence Olivier, Peter O’Toole and other greats in the fledgling National Theatre company; the younger Callow was working at the box office. Prolific as ever through this lockdown year, both are juggling an assortment of stage and screen projects from home. They took time off to talk about Shakespeare, scathing reviews and how rifling through their family’s wardrobes led them into an acting career.

Derek Jacobi: Have we ever worked together, Simon? I can’t remember!

Continue reading...

Miranda Richardson’s teenage obsessions: ‘I rescued a kestrel and became fascinated by birds of prey’

Posted on by

With the release of her new film Rams, the actor remembers her love of westerns and John Wayne, playing male parts at her all girls’ school and the thrill of frightening humour

I grew up in Southport, Lancashire, with a cinema about 50 yards from my house. So Saturday mornings were spent with The ABC Minors: the Saturday cinema club with the theme song set to the tune of Blaze Away by Abe Holzmann, a red ball bouncing over the lyrics so you could sing along.

Continue reading...