Kate Reid was phenomenal in this, just sublime. l could watch her performance through this production again and again, and like Scofield and Cotten especially, still catch nuances formerly missed. l too would have liked to see Kim Stanley inhabit this character. Such brilliant actresses, both of them.
I saw this film years ago, and was mesmerised. I've just watched Reid in 'This Property Is Condemned' (1966, she played Natalie Wood's mother, Hazel), and loved it!
Looking forward to the Broadway production this fall with Lithgow, Plimpton, Close. I am so used to Lithgow as a brilliant comic actor (Third rock). It will be interesting to see his take on Tobias, especially the big rumination towards the end of the play.
Ah, yes, the great Kate Reid, whose film appearances were far too few (as were Scofield's). Oh, to have more female actors with her toughness and fragility. And what a miner when it came to dialogue (I'm referring to her tragicomic performance in "The Andromeda Strain"): finding all sorts of little turns in what a lesser actor might see as less dense in possibility.
Edward albee thought Ann-Margret would have been great in this role. She did play Blanche Du Bois in STreetcar and was astonishing. She may have been too young and too gorgeous but Albee wanted to work with Ann-Margret. Interesting.
Jayne Wallace Well I think when you pronounce "an alcoholic", there's a liaison so you don't pronounce the word "alcoholic" precisely. "A alcoholic" forces you to break down those syllabuses and do "a" for twice.
God. It still seems no one knows a damn thing about alcoholism. Films try and portray it but get it wrong everytime. Unless you've lived alcoholism, you'll never 'get it'.
Well as the play reflects, through the looking glass, on the other side. I have always observed that most addicts never truly see themselves. the lofty, grandiose false authority of being "special" and knowing oh so well and so much better than anyone about being "A alcoholic" Apologies, but there was no audience, there was only a body count.
"You want to know what's it like to be an Alchy, don't you boy?" - "Pass a Saloon" - "Like sister like sister" (like father like son?) " Alot of different me's by then" "I am A Alcoholic" Incorrectly correcting Tobias, defining Clair's authority and status. (which is totally in contradiction) unless she has become "a different me" has become a father figure, an abusive and disgraced illiterate. Rendering Tobias to a seemingly "little sister" (small boy) quizzical yet terrified. " An Agnostic in the holy of holiest doesn't get much camaraderie" Back to Clair-ity. As Tobias sits now like an enthused psychiatrist, co-dependently enabling the "act" to protect his sensitive sanity behind false empathy. The characters all seem to be fighting for their own sobriety or truth through a self induced intoxication. They are all really just "bottles" bottled up with fears and needs and desires. They are all alcoholics/addicts of their unattainable wants. Caught in a darkness of unknown terror. One that seems inescapable an intrusion. One that points fingers of blame, casts glances of shame yet remains the same. From "Anger" to "Clarity" the soul finally has to die to it's inner creatures and release the pain. Though we know it's close, just on the other side of the door. Because once A addict always A addict.
and Albee said in an interview that she was a last minute replacement and learned the whole role in 5 days...... incredible!
Kate Reid was phenomenal in this, just sublime. l could watch her performance through this production again and again, and like Scofield and Cotten especially, still catch nuances formerly missed. l too would have liked to see Kim Stanley inhabit this character. Such brilliant actresses, both of them.
iconic
I saw this film years ago, and was mesmerised. I've just watched Reid in 'This Property Is Condemned' (1966, she played Natalie Wood's mother, Hazel), and loved it!
A theatre company I know will be doing this play and I am going to audition for the part of Claire! It is a wonderful part, I really hope I get it.
On the (expensive) dvd, there is a commentary by Albee. Albee was impressed
by Reid, who was a late replacement.
thx for that
Looking forward to the Broadway production this fall with Lithgow, Plimpton,
Close. I am so used to Lithgow as a brilliant comic actor (Third rock). It will
be interesting to see his take on Tobias, especially the big rumination towards the
end of the play.
***** What a terribly drab and inconsequential affair that misguided (or utterly "unguided" ) production turned out to be...
Ah, yes, the great Kate Reid, whose film appearances were far too few (as were Scofield's). Oh, to have more female actors with her toughness and fragility. And what a miner when it came to dialogue (I'm referring to her tragicomic performance in "The Andromeda Strain"): finding all sorts of little turns in what a lesser actor might see as less dense in possibility.
Edward albee thought Ann-Margret would have been great in this role. She did play Blanche Du Bois in STreetcar and was astonishing. She may have been too young and too gorgeous but Albee wanted to work with Ann-Margret. Interesting.
I never understood the "A Alcoholic" can anyone explain for me?
Jayne Wallace Well I think when you pronounce "an alcoholic", there's a liaison so you don't pronounce the word "alcoholic" precisely. "A alcoholic" forces you to break down those syllabuses and do "a" for twice.
thank you
You obviously haven't had an alcoholic as a parent.
the late kate reid...what a loss...she could have turned out some more thespic triumphs to my delight...
God. It still seems no one knows a damn thing about alcoholism. Films try and portray it but get it wrong everytime. Unless you've lived alcoholism, you'll never 'get it'.
Well as the play reflects, through the looking glass, on the other side.
I have always observed that most addicts never truly see themselves.
the lofty, grandiose false authority of being "special" and knowing oh so well and so much better than anyone about being "A alcoholic"
Apologies, but there was no audience, there was only a body count.
"You want to know what's it like to be an Alchy, don't you boy?" - "Pass a Saloon" - "Like sister like sister" (like father like son?) " Alot of different me's by then"
"I am A Alcoholic" Incorrectly correcting Tobias, defining Clair's authority and status. (which is totally in contradiction) unless she has become "a different me" has become a father figure, an abusive and disgraced illiterate. Rendering Tobias to a seemingly "little sister" (small boy) quizzical yet terrified.
" An Agnostic in the holy of holiest doesn't get much camaraderie" Back to Clair-ity.
As Tobias sits now like an enthused psychiatrist, co-dependently enabling the "act" to protect his sensitive sanity behind false empathy.
The characters all seem to be fighting for their own sobriety or truth through a self induced intoxication. They are all really just "bottles" bottled up with fears and needs and desires. They are all alcoholics/addicts of their unattainable wants. Caught in a darkness of unknown terror. One that seems inescapable an intrusion. One that points fingers of blame, casts glances of shame yet remains the same. From "Anger" to "Clarity" the soul finally has to die to it's inner creatures and release the pain. Though we know it's close, just on the other side of the door. Because once A addict always A addict.
thank you very much