I was fortunate enough to have seen her live three times on stage, first in Webster's 'The White Devil' in 1976, next in Andrew Davies' 'Rose' (1980) and then in Brecht's 'Mother Courage' (1990) - not 'The House of Bernarda Alba' as I'd posted earlier.
Her acting both on stage and on film was so consistently flawless it never failed to take my breath away. Two Oscars - for 'Women on Love' (1969) and 'A Touch of Class (1973) - and how can one possibly overlook her gloriously entertaining portrait of Mrs Tchaikovsky (that sex-crazed slut!) in 'The Music Lovers '(1971) with Richard Chamberlain also impressive as the mentally-tormented, genius composer - plus her numerous TV appearances, most famously appearing as Queen Elizabeth I in the 6 -part BBC serial of 1971.
A lifelong socialist, she turned to politics for about 20 years, entering Parliament on the coat-tails of Tony Blair, very soon becoming a scathing critic of him, though she was made a junior minister in the early 00s. However, her political life then became, unfortunately rather low-key and she became largely invisible, though when she did appear in discussion programmes on both radio and TV she was energetically vociferous with her opinions. Always strongly pro-gay, she was a beacon to many of us throughout the final decades of the last century when we were fighting for our equal rights.
I'd love to have seen her final stage performances - as King Lear himself, which she took to New York four years ago, but by then it had become clear that, even though she'd have wished it, she couldn't keep it up forever.
Now she's gone, probably my own personal favourite actress of my lifetime. Thanks very much indeed, Glenda. R.I.P muchly!
I remember her great performances and her activism. I always admired her for both.
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Unique she was, Bob. I've always thought that she was the greatest actress our own country has ever produced or, at least, among all those of whom I'm aware - and yet that was but one dimension to her much-variegated life. I doubt if I'll live to see another of her standard.
DeleteI guess it's our age but all the greats that we grew up with are going. It makes you think of your own mortality a bit.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're so dropping like flies now, Carol, it's quite scary. Not long surely before our own turn - yikes!
DeleteOne of my favorites, as well. I was never lucky enough to see her perform in person, but she had a presence on screen. AND I loved her politics.
ReplyDeleteTruly magnificent, Mitch, and yet I feel she had still more to give. I can't think of another living 'celebrity' (how she'd hate that word!) that I'd mourn as much now as her own passing.
DeleteNow.....That was an accomplished thespian my friend. The last thing I enjoyed her in was Elizabeth is Missing....a PBS Special two part movie that aired here.
ReplyDeleteI never saw that 'Missing' film, M.M., though I was aware of it being talked about. I really MUST catch up on it.
DeleteI saw her in London
ReplyDeleteAn evening with
I found her slightly terrifying and funny in equal measure
She really was most fiercely combative, JayGee, and I'm certain that in any argument she'd have quickly reduced me to pulp. Frank, fearless and super-intelligent - and if she made enemies, which she knew she did, she didn't give a hoot!
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