Are we but Ghosts?
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Last edited by Guest; 13-12-13, 10:59. -
Thank you, bb. A most enticing posting, full of vivid memories for me.
I heard a review of the production on Night Waves and was intrigued to learn that it ran for only 90 mins, with no interval. The accumulative power must have been intense for theatregoers.
I first saw "Ghosts" at the Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage, circa 1950, on 'comps' from the Nuffield Centre during my national service. Indeed, the theatre site was occupied by Central School of Drama, a year or two later, and they are still resident today.
Beatrix Lehmann brought a strong presence to Mrs Alving, only matched by Flora Robson, in the late 50s, at the Princes Theatre (now Shaftesbury Th). Oswald was played by a popular film star, Douglass (sic) Montgomery who made his home in London after his success in "Way To The Stars" (1946).
A young Siobhan McKenna played Regina, the maid, and she, too, registered her presence before going on to consolidate her reputation as St Joan at the St Martin's Theatre in Feb, 1955 and another youngster, Kenneth Williams, scored as the Dauphin. However, her crowning glory was as Pegeen Mike in Playboy of the Western World, transferred by the Dublin Theatre Co to the Piccadilly Theatre, 1960. Donal Donnelly presented his calling card as Christy Mahon.
I note that Charleen McKenna played Regina at the Almeida - any connection with the great Siobhan? Altogether, the McKenna family in many guises have managed to distinguish themselves as particularly outstanding thespians!
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The 2000 BBC Radio 3 version by Doug Lucie was quite good:
it had
Penelope Wilton,Paul Rhys, Patrick Malahide & Michael Elphick!Comment
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Definitely one to listen to again - tonight (Sun 26 April).Comment
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