Eric Porter

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  • Mandryka
    • Jan 2025

    Eric Porter

    E.P. seems to be largely forgotten these days - older folk remember him in the beeb's 1967 Forsyte Saga as the definitive Soames and RSC-watchers of a similar vintage claim that his Shakespearean performances of that time were little short of definitive.

    However, the RSC itself seems determined that he shall be forgotten: he barely figures in 'previous production' features in RSC programmes and while the RSC likes to claim that Peter Brook's 1962 King Lear with Paul Scofield was 'the ulitmate Lear', many of those who saw Trevor Nunn's 1968 production with EP in the title role, say that Porter made the part his own like no one else has ever done (or done since).

    I've heard mutterings that EP could be difficult to work with, though in a constructive rather than prima-donnaish way, ie, he demanded that everyone else brought the same degree of intensity to rehearsals as he did. This may not have made him popular with some colleagues, but EP can hardly have been alone in this.

    Anyone know anything about the reasoning behind this apparent snubbing? Or have any EP stories/memories?
  • marthe

    #2
    Mandryka,

    I remember Eric Porter from the 1967 Forsyte Saga which was broadcast in the US in the early 70s. My grandmother, in her early 90s then, was a very great fan of Porter, or at least the character Soames, so well portrayed by Porter. I also remember that Porter had a minor role in the film version of Nicholas and Alexandra.

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    • french frank
      Administrator/Moderator
      • Feb 2007
      • 30638

      #3
      Good obituary in the Independent (perhaps the RSC still remembered him as the 17-year-old spear-carrier?). And a 'tribute' on YouTube.

      Did he become a bit type-cast as the grim, sinister power figure?
      It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

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      • amateur51

        #4
        Originally posted by french frank View Post
        Did he become a bit type-cast as the grim, sinister power figure?
        I think you're right, ff but I also recall that he had a tremendous voice, from a whisper to a head-ringing roar. Combine that with his good facial bones & he was quite magnetic. It's always Chekhov that I think of when I remember him. I must revisit The Forsyte Saga -- I wonder if 'LoveFilm' has a copy to rent





        Apols for accidental edit - original restored. ff
        Last edited by french frank; 25-10-11, 10:59.

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        • ferneyhoughgeliebte
          Gone fishin'
          • Sep 2011
          • 30163

          #5
          Originally posted by french frank View Post
          Did he become a bit type-cast as the grim, sinister power figure?
          Possibly, frenchie; but he was rather good at it: the perfect Moriarty to Jeremy Brett's Holmes.

          (And he may have been aware of this type-casting when he agreed to send himself up on the Morecambe and Wise Show.)

          Best Wishes.
          [FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]

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          • mercia
            Full Member
            • Nov 2010
            • 8920

            #6
            From their fourth series with the BBC, this shows Eric & Ernie going to Eric Porter's dressing room to try to persuade him to accept a part in Ernie's latest...

            Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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            • french frank
              Administrator/Moderator
              • Feb 2007
              • 30638

              #7
              Originally posted by amateur51 View Post
              I must revisit The Forsyte Saga -- I wonder if 'LoveFilm' has a copy to rent
              Interesting point made in the Indie obit - that TFS was the last major production to be made in b&w, and that affected its subsequent distribution.
              It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

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