Home. Rare televised Play. Sir John Gielgud, Sir Ralph Richardson

[@johnd1442]

Wonderful to find this on youtube. I attended a performance at the Apollo Theatre in London in my early 20s. Superb.

[@rexamian8708]

Saw this at the National Theatre London. Excellent. Became friends later with both Sir John and Sir Ralph. True Greats of the theatre. Always remember Sir John asking me if I thought I was talented. “Yes”, I replied....”Oh, not a wise thing to say........you should always be very modest in our profession”...he replied.

[@lucianopavarotti2843]

Fantasist

[@rexamian8708]

@@lucianopavarotti2843 what a shame you fantasise you are Pavarotti, yet are unable to relate to the real world. Envy is a terrible curse. What I said is the complete truth…if you cannot accept that other people live fantastic lives, that is your problem. I feel real sorry for you…..

[@rexamian8708]

@Chaim Mendel hi, I used to act years ago, culminating in being invited by Bryan Forbes to join his production of Macbeth with Peter O’Toole at the Old Vic. (1980) What is going to be more disconcerting for the sad person calling himself Luciano Pavarotti who commented on my post, is that I have counted as my friends Gielgud,, Guinness, Richardson and the Olivier family among many other illustrious names. Also, having lived in Los Angeles for 17 yrs, spent the afternoon with Fred Astaire, and have many letters from Bette Davis as we used to keep in contact. (She used to write to me in red ink, on red edged paper…)

[@lucianopavarotti2843]

@@rexamian8708 I was on the paid Buckingham palace tour a few years back. Spotted the Queen rushing down some distant stairs. A great Monarch. We became pals later, joshing over a victoria sponge cake and tea in her private apartments. 'Does one think one is regal?' she would ask me. 'Of course! ' I would say, and she would cry 'Off to the Tower with you!', collapsing into a pile of Corgis as she giggled....

[@rexamian8708]

@@lucianopavarotti2843 hi, I can understand your incredulity if you have led a more sheltered life. To someone who is in the acting profession it’s a very small world, and these people are just like anyone else. One is never a hero to their valet. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, but what benefit do I derive from exaggerating? I will never meet those who read my post. I gave a genuine account, and feel elated that my life experiences can only be equated by you as elevated to the realms of fantasy. I never really appreciated that others would gaze on in awe. ps….your reply was really humorous. Should I take it at face value? All the very best. Peter Roberts

[@Nelsonhojax15]

Richardson, all earth, all rugged and plugged in. Gielgud, all air, all spiritual and effervescent. It's wonderful to hear them together.

[@DemonetisedZone]

You have a way with words😊

[@rosemaryallen2128]

I grant you I cry easily, but the sight of Sir John Gielgud with tears running down his face was heart wrenching. I recall the line, 'God is very old and very tired'. This was a play, and performances, with full symbolic resonance. Tremendous.

[@RapunzelinOttawa]

It's the 'Terry tears' . . . the whole family is famous for it.

[@kiviuq3495]

Dandy Nichols was an underrated actress.

[@michaeldevaney5728]

John Gielgud is a excellent actor absolutely excellent what a unique voice

[@menukjau]

Can watch this forever, truly beautiful. Two wonderful gentleman long gone but will never be forgotten or replaced..

[@writeract2]

Wow what a treasure - Sir Ralph became a favoite after watching a seminal scen in the The Four Feathers.

[@charlesproudfit6264]

Saw this play at a matinée in London in 1973-brilliant acting by Gielgud and Richardson. Will never forget it, and thank you for this rare televised performance.

[@philfletcher3434]

And there was me thinking it was a 1-off TV play. How actors can perform the same lines over and over again amazes me. It would drive me crazy.

[@reasonrestored9116]

Two beautiful theatrical voices such as one never hears nowadays.☹️

[@diane5836]

I saw this on Broadway in 1973. Brilliant

[@gregtestagent]

Rare televised play shows up in my feed at least once a year.

[@towerburkindine]

My God I could watch them for days on end. So natural, so beautifully spoken. Immortal for me!!

[@Oceanwireaudio]

Simply remarkable

[@stewartlone3445]

Those majestic voices! The dialogue of the opening scene is constructed like a song and, of course, the two great knights of theatre sing it in sublime harmony.

[@lisastallingskeelor3328]

True craftsmen of the art. Talent that will never be seen again. I looooove this show. Seen it many times and never tire of finding some small, new nuiance each time.

[@westerncherokeewireless642]

I could watch these two all day long...

[@LPJack02]

RIP Sir Ralph Richardson (December 19, 1902 - October 10, 1983), aged 80 RIP Mona Washbourne (November 27, 1903 - November 15, 1988), aged 84 RIP Sir John Gielgud (April 14, 1904 - May 21, 2000), aged 96 RIP Dandy Nichols (May 21, 1907 - February 6, 1986), aged 78 RIP Warren Clarke (April 26, 1947 - November 12, 2014), aged 67 You will be remembered as legends.

[@robinmiller9865]

We shall never see their like again.

[@Master_Po170]

Two of the best actors ever. Plateau kings.

[@bryanferratt6598]

They were the Tyrese Gibson and Kevin Hart of their day 😊😅😂.

[@Master_Po170]

@@bryanferratt6598 if you say do.

[@bryanferratt6598]

@@Master_Po170 Just kidding 😂 🤣 😅 😜. Those losers are nothing compared to these "Titans".

[@timsan55]

A wonderful play and great performances, by two of the greats of the 20th Century. Enjoy every moment, nuance, and subtlety. We no longer have actors of this calibre.

[@dilly1863]

Loved this extraordinary piece of theater. You must be patient with the disjointed dialogue, focusing on their brilliant, effortlessly, sense of rhythm together as the piece slowly unfold to include more characters. Indeed a rare and priceless gem.

[@spensert4933]

Gielgud has such a smooth loving touch to his voice and being. Priceless symphony he and the others!

[@douglascollier7767]

Stunning 💫

[@sarahreid3467]

Wow! I can't believe that I found this. Thanks!

[@Survivethejive]

The sun has set. very moving

[@Pointlessnothingness]

Outstanding ! Both Gielgud and Richardson had extraordinary timing and delivery of a line. Wonderful to watch. Graham Daw, Yorkshire, England.

[@peterroberts9900]

Ralph lived at No 1, Chester Terrace Regents Park, London. Used to visit him there. Really nice guy, as was John…

[@thomaseaves7567]

With the spiral stepped entrance and the Lion head on the door 😊

[@peterroberts9900]

@@thomaseaves7567 …don’t remember…it was in the late 70’s…

[@ninakaneider5576]

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful play with two of my favourite actors, Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud. Watching them is like listening to two great virtuosos on an instrument. The ladies were fabulous too. Never heard of the play. It's a gem. British theatre at its finest.

[@nickwyatt9498]

So grateful for your posting. I was lucky enough to see No Man's Land at the National in 1975 - I was 14! - but regretted never seeing this. I didn't even know it had been televised. Can't thank you enough, just subscribed.

[@nickwyatt9498]

Yes, I agree. I'd also add Alan Bennett's The Old Country which alas doesn't seem to have been filmed. And anyway, it starred Alec Guinness! Although that's no bad thing.

[@roly220]

@@nickwyatt9498 I saw that production of The Old Country but wasn't impressed. It was a long time ago and can't remember a lot about it now but I think it seemed to be rather boring and inconsequential .

[@MissPerriwinkle]

lovely !

[@MissPerriwinkle]

john and ralph::: treasures !

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

Thank you for the opportunity to see something so rare! Two of the greatest 20th century actors working together, in a play first performed before I was born!

[@fredhoupt4078]

very strange and quirky but the acting is what you sit still and take notice of. All masters.

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

Holy Moses. I saw this great character play once as a contest between the two best Dutch actors, it was called, in Dutch "Fine weather today, isn't it?" (Mooi weer vandaag). It was on television, too. I was too young to see it then but I saw the recorded broadcast, just like this one. I did not know it was an English play. The Dutch actors were much like these. Richardson was played by Ko van Dijk, even more ebulliently because of the man's voice, but the Gielgud part was exactly like it. It must have been that the director had seen this English play with Gielgud and Richardson and thought it a good idea to simply imitate it.

[@franzliszt3195]

Amazing play.

[@missatrebor]

Wonderful to see these two giants in the touching play "Home". I know the play performed in 1971 by the 2 most famed and celebrated actors in The Netherlands; Ko van Dijk and Paul Steenbergen. So it is wonderful to see the play performed by the brilliant John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson. Thank you for uploading this.

[@wildsarsaparilla]

Wow. Not only brilliant performances, but I know for a fact this play is a bitch to memorize, which makes me doubly impressed. "Oh, yes." ❤

[@brutusalwaysminded]

Ha, yes, had this on my former channel for years before it was shut down. Thanks for putting it up again. Cheers.

[@ΜΑΡΙΑΠΑΠΑΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ-ξ9ε]

Thanks so much

[@thedirectorschair1054]

You're welcome!

[@LakeConstan]

Saw it in its original run in London in 1970. Can't recall if it was at the Royal Court or after its transfer to the Apollo. (The latter, I suspect.) I was a teenager and was transfixed. Thanks for posting this.

[@rexamian8708]

Saw it at The National…

[@rogergoldsmith1172]

Wonderful. Reminds me of Pinter and ‘No Man’s Land’ with these two amazing never to be seen again actors . But that was written post ‘Home’ but sense the influence of Pinter in the creation of these amazing characters.

[@pete7825]

That was incredible and I'm deeply moved. Thank you.

[@johnhardy8452]

I seem to remember David Storey was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 about 25 years ago claiming to have not really known how to write a play, so he just sat down and wrote it, straight, by hand, more or less as it is. I'm surprised it isn't performed more often - it's so open to different interpretations, like much of the great writing. John Hardy, Cardiff, Cymru/Wales

[@tobyruncorn2]

You write the truth. Clouds. Knew a man,,,

[@suzeauster2223]

What an Absolute Gem!!! Thank You So Much for sharing and God Bless ❤️

[@stephenreeds3672]

For some reason Storey became slagged off. This is a beautiful, disturbing, puzzling piece of work. Just like life. Acting from all 5 of the highest quality.

[@davidevans3227]

thankyou for sharing this 🙂 x

[@raymondlawson8914]

Marvelous

[@michaeldevaney5728]

Gielguds voice was extremely unique

[@timcharles5476]

This is a gem of a play by celebrated author and playwright David Storey. Interestingly, I don't think it's typical of his work in general, and from its non sequiturs and off-kilter dialogue, it could almost be a Pinter play at times. Ralph Richardson had this gloriously eccentric air which made him perfect for surreal comedy. I remember him in a performance of an Eduardo translation "Inner Voices" by renowned absurdist playwright NF Simpson.

[@CharlsCarroll1]

amazing

[@qvide]

I greatly admire Mona Wasbourne.

[@timelordvictorious]

Greatest actors of there decade.went to Ralph Richardsons grave in Highgate cemetery very sad as it has no inscription on it are flowers unfortunately.Thou I guess he might have wanted it that way.

[@libbyreesbarresi7459]

she's fallen in love she has, she's seen the doctor for that!!!!!

[@katyalacrua6793]

Two Sirs👏👏

[@elizabethdarley8646]

Mr Richardson was given £500 in 1919 so I wondered how much it was today. He said Wikipedia citation today, it changed his life. £500 in 1919 is equivalent in purchasing power to about £31,140.24 in 2023, an increase of £30,640.24 over 104 years. The pound had an average inflation rate of 4.05% per year between 1919 and 2023, producing a cumulative price increase of 6,128.05%.

[@RapunzelinOttawa]

lol. love it when Richardson enters at the beginning and steps up onto "hollow" cement stairs and sidewalk.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

It's not their fault, they are under-rehearsed. And one can't blame the director for that, as the two actors' agents or SOMEBODY should have insisted on it. Maybe once the two actors were 'booked' the rush to get it performed was inevitable. But SOMEHOW two intelligent actors didn't get the chance to give lines the time for which they all BEG. Sad, eh? J.

[@jorgeedgardo6602]

Otro producto de la asociación David Storey-Lindsay Anderson que filmaron "In celebration" con el Gran Alan Bates...

[@carolswarbrick1722]

Loved em all...such actors, such a script.? Thats life..? 1:25:42 🇬🇧

[@mariabarnard4484]

Music - Alan Price don't forget

[@thedirectorschair1054]

Thank you. Edited into the description.

[@mariabarnard4484]

The music is cut off at the end - could this please be rectified

[@johnlawrence2757]

David Storey under the delusion that he is Harold Punter

[@c.a.savage5689]

Or Samuel Beckett.

[@gardensofthegods]

Can somebody here who knows please help me as I found nothing on the internet about a play I saw on ABC Network in America or maybe it was PBS when I was a kid ... ... I could have sworn it was called home and it was about people in the near future in a very small space like a pod reminiscing about what it used to be like in the past and the scene that I always remembered was them reminiscing about what it used to be like when people could swim in the ocean and ride the waves . Please if anybody knows what I'm talking about please tell me the exact title and the playwright

[@KERSTEN27]

A poker of two aces

[@gordon-n6s]

Sir Ralph was a superb straight man comedian, whereas Gielgud may have made a conscious effort to avoid being seen so.

[@gordon-n6s]

They were marvelous at playing forgetful elderly men.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Gielgud : a Heating Engineer ! ? ?

[@paulberry6016]

Who's the Author Dear Boy? Sounds like Pinter to me😊

[@Happyheart146]

It takes a 117 to underline the high from the low brow.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Apparently Sir Ralph was a cantankerous old git and not the slightly dotty old buffer he normally portrayed.

[@t.p.mckenna]

and your input benefits us how?

[@rosemaryallen2128]

Sir Ralph had enough character for two. He once said airily, 'Directors? Well, I don't take very much notice of directors...'

[@_solange]

ésto. ésto es actuación.

[@peterbunclark3756]

*Ian

[@lecaprice2572]

Do we know when this was televised ?

[@ArtmonkeyProductions]

Aired on January 6, 1972 as an episode of "Play for Today."

[@roderickfemm8799]

Interesting. IMDB also shows it as airing on February 11, 1968 in the US as Season 2 Episode 18 of NET Playhouse. Same cast. This date is before the premier of the play in the UK, so it's probably not correct. Possibly a confusion with another production of the same name.

[@Xanadu2025]

Good acting but the play is a dud. A one note gimmick with no dramatic value.

[@t.p.mckenna]

except that it provides two older actors with a platform to display such beautiful lyricism in their playing. Worth it for that alone.

[@c.a.savage5689]

Thank you so much. The believability that these 2 men would engage in conversation with these 2 women was extremely unlikely. Their social spheres are widely different.

[@christinemartin63]

Ralph Richardson towers above Gielgud: phrasing, intonation, movement, facial expressions--not to say diction. (Agreed that Gielgud's diction is also superb, but the rest repeats across characters and pieces, with very similar mannerisms and a peculiar vacant stare.)

[@rosemaryallen2128]

Have to disagree there! The extremely emotionally suppressed character Sir John portrays is necessarily more limited in personal expression. The tears are his one outlet, but there are moments when his eyes convey a wealth of implication.

[@c.a.savage5689]

Good Lord. The possibility that these two English gentlemen (of a certain class) would engage in conversation with these two English women (from a decidedly different "class") for longer than 30 seconds beggars belief and defies comprehension. Great theatre notwithstanding. Hard pass.

[@lyndapierson6338]

boring with a capital b

[@wdobni]

i guess they call that great acting...two old guys sitting in chairs

[@michaelcrouch8783]

Marvelous