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24 September 2003
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
From: Marige11@cs.com Marige
Q: Have you any plans to write an autobiography? The reason I ask this
is, in looking over all of your cinematic credits, I find that too many of
them are unknown to me. :( I live in America and now begin to worry about
something: has America stopped importing English films?
A: This site replaces a standard autobiography. Already there is more
information and as much commentary as a book could accommodate and a
great many more photographs. And these days there are computers you can
curl up in bed with.
I don't know whether films with a UK subject matter travel freely to
USA, if they ever did. The Internet should be revealing, certainly of
video/DVD releases of films.
DESERT ISLAND DISCS
From: vanessa_mennella@hotmail.com Vanessa
Q: Have you ever, or will you ever appear on 'Desert Island Discs'? Which
luxury would you take with you to the island?
A: I first selected my eight gramophone records to accompany me on my lonely
island in 1971 with Roy Plomley, who invented the BBC radio programme. My
luxury was a lot of paper and pencils I think. I've already forgotten what
I picked 20 years on when Sue Lawley did the interview.
Plomley was a gent of the old school. He took me to lunch at his
all-male club where the interview was worked out over a glass or two of
Merlot. Lawley claims his earliest broadcasts were scripted by him for his
guest with questions and answers read out on air. Her own style is much
more free. Her questions are unseen in advance although there is no
suggestion of a test as the show is pre-recorded and edited. Like her
predecessor, Ms Lawley is charming and welcoming and I look forward to my
third time on the programme in 2023!
[Webmaster's note: Click here for more info about Desert Island Discs.]
QUEER AS FOLK
From: kitsune_kitana@hotmail.com Kitana Ly
Q: I was just curious to know your stance on the Showtime TV series
"Queer As Folk". Do you view its portrayal of a graphic gay lifestyle as
positive or negative?
A: I haven't seen this spin-off from the original UK
production which ran for two series on Granada Television. Other people's
lives, warts and all, are fascinating and when presented as in Andrew
Davies' episodes with wit and directness, their impact can be very moving.
My eyes were wide open and I recently saw a workshop of a musical based on
the QAF characters which smelt like a hit to me.
If the US series is honest, its effect can only be beneficial.
People's prejudice against gays is too often rooted in ignorance.
Brian Cheu (Director LGBT Center), Sharon Gless (Queer as Folk,
Cagney & Lacey) and Ian McKellen
San Francisco 2002
REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
From: dernhelmeowyn@compusmurf.nl
Q: I was just wondering if by any chance you have seen 'The Reduced
Shakespeare Company' perform. They played all 37 works of Shakespeare in
97. I found it very entertaining. If you have seen it, what did you think
of it?
A: I wish I'd chanced on this company before they became so part
of the West End's furniture that I feel I've seen them when I haven't.
Such a simple idea. I anticipated them slightly, when in
Acting Shakespeare I got the
audience to name all 37 plays, a raucous part of the show where bard
freaks could shine and I could let the audience take over.
INVITATION/GAY MARRIAGE
From: Michael Borel mike_borel@yahoo.com
Q: I am a gay former US Marine and I currently live in Paris, France
with my partner. My partner and I have been PACS'ed and will have a formal
reception and party for our union July 5 2003. I have never known my
father but always dreamed he would be someone as great and open as you, so
to have your blessing on such a wonderful event would truly be an honor.
With greatest respect...Thank You!
A: I am sorry that I couldn't join you and your partner on such a
special day. All good luck to you both. I was honoured to be invited.
With respect and admiration.
INVITATION/BOY SCOUTS
Q: I am a former Eagle Scout from San Diego. I say "former" because I
resigned my badge in the wake of the discriminatory policies of the Boy
Scouts of America. I'd read somewhere that you volunteer at an elementary
school in LA often and wondered if you were based (at least part time) in
Southern California. My question: Would you be wiling to appear at a
protest rally we are holding on Sunday, Oct. 12 in front of Boy Scout
Headquarters in San Diego? If you would like to learn more about our
organization, I welcome you to view our website:
www.sdscoutingforall.org. We would be very pleased by your presence at
the rally.
A: I am based in UK not California but all good luck with the
well-placed protest. Institutionalised homophobia in the Scouts or in
church or school is the cruellest of all. It makes life miserable for
young gay people and it misleads their peers re the truth about gay people
that we are remarkably similar to the rest.
BUSH
Froml: Sean Cronin isilverbull3ti@aol.com
Q: I just had a question about your, how do you put it? Activisation? I
would just like to know on what you think about the U.S. president, George
Bush's response to gay marriges by saying "I'm aware that we're all
sinners" pertaining to gay people? I would also like to know why you even
care about homosexuals if you're not one. I think of myself as a
homophobic person but I deeply respect you for your work. I would go as
far as to say that I hate homosexuals but as long as they don't try to get
involved with my life. That may sound somehow arrogant but what I mean by
that is that I don't understand why homosexuals even expose themselves to
much hate of many people and put that sort of hatefulness on themselves.
Anyway, I know how busy you must be so good luck and keep up the inspiring
work!
A: I don't' think much about Bush's comments on gay issues which
seem merely the stock response of evangelical Christianity based on a
shallow reading of Old (indeed Outdated) Testament texts. But who knows
what the real feelings are of a President who needs rightwing support for
his re-election?
I am very sorry you think you hate homosexuals when you seem
unperturbed by this one! Gay people have to stick up for themselves
because for so long your view has infected the laws and social attitudes
which put us at such a disadvantage. You will find some evidence of the
world's cruelty to gays in these e-posts.
Q: Trying to track down a copy of Strindberg's 'Dance of Death' has had me
feeling like J.R.Hartley hunting down his book of 'Fly Fishing'. Having
exhausted the bookshops and libraries of Dorset I finally managed to
corner one in Waterstone's Piccadilly but it isn't the latest version by
Richard Greenberg but one in an anthology. Do you know anyhere where I
could get hold of the latest version without ordering it from America?
A: If the Greenberg version isn't yet published someone needs sacking. It
is immensely readable (as well as performable) and would encourage further
productions. I wish Richard would consider translating other Strindberg,
making some of his 67 more familiar beyond Stockholm. Then he might go
east and rediscover the comedy in Chekov's plays and short stories.
Richard
won this year's Tony Award for best new play on Broadway (Take Me Out)
and his latest, The Violet Hour, will open 16 October at the newly
refurbished Biltmore Theatre in New York.
[Webmaster's note: The US edition of Richard Greenberg's version of
Dance of Death may be ordered online:
Dance of Death US or pre-ordered in the UK:
Dance of Death UK]
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