The Rattigan the Newsletter of the Terence Rattigan Society ISSUE NO
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The Rattigan The Newsletter of The Terence Rattigan Society ISSUE NO. 10 FEB/MAR 2014 Version In the footsteps of Rattigan In June next year, it will be almost four years since “The university was divided, as it had been the Society began and the Committee has conclud- through much of the 1920s into two, often mutual- ed that the time will be ripe to hold a conference ly hostile, camps – Aesthetes and Hearties. Ratti- for members to cele- gan was unusual in that brate Rattigan’s work in he managed to keep a a thoughtful and inci- foot in each. He shared sive way, helping to the enthusiasm of the ensure that it is availa- Aesthetes for writing, ble to future genera- the arts, acting, the the- tions. atre; he went to their Michael Darlow says parties and enjoyed this about Rattigan’s their company; yet he time at Trinity: was quieter, more re- “He entered Trinity served. College, Oxford on 10th “He did not show October, 1930. He had off, talk too much or won a minor scholar- too loud. He stayed in ship to read history, Our Chairman Barbara Longford outlines a the background at their thus relieving his father major initiative for next year at Trinity College, gatherings, a quietly of some of the strain of Oxford, and seeks members’ responses amused observer who supporting him through made witty asides and university. did not push himself to “Rattigan was not the sort of person to push the centre of the stage. himself forward, yet he was one of those in his “The other group, the Hearties, were the sport- generation who, his contemporaries agree, made an ing, beer-drinking upholders of unchanging under- impression while still at Oxford. This was not graduate convention: the players of team games through any particular achievement as an under- and their supporters. They were also raggers and graduate, but through a combination of immacu- practical jokers, although their idea of a joke often late good looks, perfect manners, sophistication, seemed perilously close to vandalism or bullying. elegant wit and the declared and unswerving de- “One of their favourite diversions was to corner termination to become a playwright. Continued on p 4… IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF RATTIGAN, PP 1,4,5,6 A LETTER TO KEVIN SPACEY, P 7 INTRODUCING JAMES CELLAN JONES, PP 2,6 KENNETH TYNAN REVIEW, PP 7,8 TRS NEW YEAR RECEPTION, P 3 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY, P 8 1 The Terence Rattigan Society President: Princess George Galitzine MBE Vice-Presidents: Michael Darlow, Greta Scacchi, David Suchet CBE, Geoffrey Wansell Chairman Barbara Longford ([email protected]) Membership Secretary Diana Scotney ([email protected]) Treasurer Andrew Kenyon ([email protected]) Editor Giles Cole ([email protected]) Webmaster Stephen Bradley ([email protected]) Theatre Liaison Michael Wheatley-Ward ([email protected]) Secretary & RAF Liaison Gp. Capt. Clive Montellier FCIPD, FCMI, RAF ([email protected]) US Representative: Dr Holly Hill ([email protected]) Introducing Eric Porter, Kenneth More, Nyree Dawn James Cellan Jones Porter and others held us in thrall week TRS member James Cellan Jones (pictured, right, at by week. the Society’s inaugural event in 2011) saw the Pressed on the original production of Flare Path as an 11-year-old least favourite actors schoolboy in Swansea. He much regrets that he with whom he has didn’t manage to see Trevor Nunn’s revival almost worked (always more seventy years later, for that play marked the interesting than the beginning of a fascination with theatre and with favourites) he the plays of Rattigan in particular. mentions the great Having studied science (which he hated) at Eric Porter, even Cambridge, and done National Service, he managed going so far as to say that he could be “malicious”. to get a job as a call-boy at the BBC. He jokes that it But that’s nothing compared to the language that was the only job he could get with ‘a bad degree’ (a the suave and urbane Rex Harrison used on the set Third). He used to annoy people by answering the of the TV movie The Kingfisher when given a phone with “Call Boy’s Department” rather than directorial note. Best to draw a veil over that. using the more acceptable term of ‘Floor Manager’s Subsequently, however, Cellan Jones was invited to Assistant’. But, in truth, what he did was knock on stay with the Harrisons at their house in Barbados, dressing room doors and give the artistes their so good humour had clearly returned by the end of calls. shooting. As is the way of things with talented people, he One more star name makes his top three artistes progressed eventually to production manager and difficiles. Let us draw a veil over that too (as she is thence to directing plays at the BBC, two of his still living) but suffice it to say that she starred in favourites being adaptations of Henry James’s The the 1973 film of Rattigan’s Bequest to the Nation Ambassadors and Stendhal’s The Scarlet and the (called The Nelson Affair in the US). Apparently Black, which, he says, with gentle irony, “was she was not enamoured of the finished product and wonderful in black and white”. said so, unstintingly. Rattigan, who also wrote the He is still probably best known for The Forsyte screenplay, was heard to quip that she may have Saga, which was a huge—and somewhat hated the film she was in, but never offered to unexpected—hit in 1967. Many of us will recall return her fee (which was substantial). being glued to the box in the corner of the room as Continued on p 6… 2 beginning his journey in the theatre, Esop Evard, Marrying history before introducing two gentlemen (who really with merriment needed no introduction! ) – our guest speaker and honorary member, Adrian Brown, who was being The TRS New Year reception interviewed by our Editor, Giles Cole. by Roger Barker Adrian – a born raconteur – gave us a fascinat- ing insight into Rattigan’s private life, including Some forty-eight TRS members including our his legendary weekend house parties, his glamor- President, Princess George Galitzine, Vice- ous circle of friends and theatrical first nights – President Geoffrey Wansell and ‘Queen of Soho’, together with tales of his own ‘life in the theatre’ Elena Salvoni, congregated in The Brydon Room interspersed with anecdotes a-plenty, all beauti- at Chelsea Old Town Hall (where actors and Roy- fully finished off with a reading of Adrian’s own alty have married) to kickstart 2014 with our New paean to Sir Terence, which he had composed for Year Reception. the occasion of the memorial tree-planting in Our Treasurer, Andrew Kenyon, hosted this 2012. event and, as he is the Superintendent Registrar of Although it had been scheduled for a twenty- The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, we five minute slot, nobody seemed to notice that were given special privilege to view the original nearly forty minutes had slipped by! Much social- birth register entry of one Master Terence Ratti- ising then ensued when, suddenly, it was time to gan, born in Kensington South Sub-District on the leave the beautiful Brydon Room and head off 9th (or was it the 10th) of June 1911. into the January afternoon sunshine, carrying With prosecco flowing and members and with us memories of another happy and successful friends assembled, at 12.45 all were welcomed by Society event. our Chairman, Barbara Longford, who began by TRS member Roger Barker was Secretary to the thanking the Council of The Royal Borough for Mayor of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel- their generosity in allowing us the exclusive use of sea for 29 years, thus guiding 29 mayors through The Brydon Room. Barbara then introduced two their year of office. new members at their first TRS event – the veter- an actress, Sheila Bernette, and a young actor just Adrian Brown in full flow at Chelsea Town Hall Photo: Stephen Bradley 3 In the footsteps of Rattigan cont. from p 1 ings are only a few yards from the front entrance on Broad Street. SPEAKERS Speakers who have already confirmed are Dr Holly Hill, the distinguished theatre scholar and author who completed her postgraduate dissertation on the plays of Terence Rattigan in 1969. Dr Hill, who is the Society’s US representative, interviewed Rattigan at length and she will talk about the man and also the work. Dr Hill is coming to Oxford from her home in Dallas, Texas. Playwright, teacher and academic, Professor Dan Rebellato is Professor of Contemporary Thea- some unsuspecting Aesthete who was out on his tre at Royal Holloway, University of London. He own and taunt him, finally attacking him and is also the author of the introductions to the texts stealing some part of his clothing, usually his trou- of Rattigan’s plays, which were published to mark sers, and running off whooping with joy. Rattigan, the centenary by Nick Hern Books. although identified with the Aesthetes, won ac- The Society’s Vice President, Michael Darlow, ceptance among the Hearties because of his excel- whose book Terence Rattigan—The Man and His lence at games, his conventional dress, good man- ners and modesty.” By setting our conference at his old college, we hope to be able to bask “In the footsteps of Ratti- gan”, and this will be our opening tour on the Sat- urday morning, given by the college Archivist, Clare Hopkins. The college was founded by Sir Thomas Pope in 1555.