Private Passions-Joan Plowright,R3

[Stanley Stewart]

Have just set the recorder for today's Private Passions, R3, (25 Sept), 12.00-13.00hrs.
I've been a devotee of Dame Joan Plowright's work since first seeing her in Wesker's, Roots, at the Royal Court in the late 50s and her range of work at the Royal National Theatre is enormous; an unforgettable Masha in The Three Sisters, with Olivier & Redgrave, is mercifully preserved on video for regular viewing. Her marriage to Olivier had stormy moments but her loyalty to him as Director of the NT was always foremost. Sad to hear that she has now lost her sight. A distinguished artist.

[Mary Chambers]

It was good to hear her memories, and her voice sounded strong. I didn't particularly enjoy her choice of music, but I recited the Shakespeare sonnet with her, and I didn't need the text either!

[Stanfordian]

It was good to hear her memories, and her voice sounded strong. I didn't particularly enjoy her choice of music, but I recited the Shakespeare sonnet with her, and I didn't need the text either!

Likewise, I didn't especially enjoy much of her choice of music. Music is such a personal thing. I loved the programme though.

[LMcD]

The death of Joan Plowright has just been reported. We were lucky enough to see her playing Portia to Olivier's Shylock at the Old Vic in the early 1970s.

[Nick Armstrong]

The death of Joan Plowright has just been reported. We were lucky enough to see her playing Portia to Olivier's Shylock at the Old Vic in the early 1970s.

RIP…

She used the spare bedroom here as her dressing room when I allowed a film production company to use the place to shoot a couple of scenes of a film a while back. Strange to have Lady Olivier in the house. She was delightful, small, twinkly-eyed and not at all grand. A fond memory

[Barbirollians]

Very fine actor. Sad that she and Dame Maggie now both gone . The BBC programme with the two of them and Judi Dench and Eileen Atkins was a hoot.

[Keraulophone]

The death of Joan Plowright has just been reported. We were lucky enough to see her playing Portia to Olivier's Shylock at the Old Vic in the early 1970s.

We had a school trip to see that production as The Merchant was one of our O-level set works in 1972. I remember Olivier leaping in the air at one point of frustration. There’s an interesting obituary of Joan P in The Times.