|
|
||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|||
 |
Review by Paul Nelson |
|
The real Michael MacLiammoir |
|
GASPS of surprise from the older members of the audience greeted the entrance
of John Keyes in The Importance of Being Micheal at Wimbledon Studio
Theatre. Not only does he look remarkably like the great Irish actor Micheal
MacLiammoir, he sounds like him too and has perfected many of his mannerisms.
The result is eerily entertaining.
Keyes, was not only a fan but worked with the Gate Theatre Company which MacLiammoir
co-founded with his partner Hilton Edwards.
MacLiammoir's real name was Willmore and he was English, The name MacLiammoir
is therefore a straight translation into Irish, which Micheal learned to perfection.
Indeed, I had heard he wrote his autobiographical books, there were three
of them, in Irish and then translated them back into English as they gained
a unique style through the method.
The recounting of the trials and setbacks of running a theatre company on
a shoestring makes for great entertainment, providing many amusing moments
as well as stark realism about the hardship. Living with piles of pennies
by a payphone in the house because the telephone had been cut off for instance.
Their meeting and association with Orson Welles is documented, as well as
a frank account of why they ultimately fell out with each other.
Welles is not the only luminary to cross their horizon. Anton Dolin, Noel
Coward, Yeats, Lady Gregory, Maude Gonne, Edward and Christine Longford, all
had a part to play, sometimes infinitesimal, sometimes major, in the formation
of what became one of the most important theatre companies in the world.
Perhaps one of the greatest personality to figure in all this was the actor-manager
Anew McMaster and his character is very finely drawn. McMaster was married
to Marjorie, MacLiammoir's sister, and employed both MacLiammoir and Edwards
on his tours, many of which played the Irish sticks. Their final plan together
was to present Othello with McMaster in the lead and with MacLiammoir as Iago.
This was not to happen due to the death of McMaster, an event which deeply
moved MacLiammoir.
The life and times of this great eccentric and undoubted star makes a superb
evening in the theatre. It is so full of entertaining anecdotes and fascinating
facts that it is an evening well worth watching more than once.
It is currently on tour but I have great hopes it will return to the London
Fringe. I am sure it will be welcomed again, as it was so heartily at the
Studio, by its future audiences.
The Importance of Being Micheal written and performed by John Keyes. Produced by North Face Theatre Company. Designed by Johannes Schonnerr, Producer Phil Thompson, and Directed by Paddy Sculley.
