Backstage
Issue 8 February 2011
The Royal Exchange Theatre’s Supporters’ Newsletter
Pete Postlethwaite: A Tribute from the Royal Exchange Theatre By Greg Hersov, Artistic Director
Pete Postlethwaite had many qualities that made him the great actor he was, most notably a passionate commitment to any play he chose to do. He wanted to tell a story as vividly as possible to an audience because he felt that story had something of value to our lives. He also possessed a voracious curiosity in discovering every detail of a character's life and he had the technique and knowledge to achieve that. Although Pete had a wonderful film career, he was a man of the theatre who acted in theatres all over this country for four decades. Above all, Pete was adventurous. He’d take risks, was fearless in trying stuff and using his imagination to the limit. I think that's what made him such a brilliant actor. When he finally put all these things together he could express the deepest emotions in such a way that everyone watching could understand and share what his character was going through. Photograph courtesy of Rik Sterken
When we did THE TEMPEST together, I would visit Pete at his beautiful farm in Shropshire. We explored the character of Prospero and the play over a period of months before rehearsals. One of the big puzzles of playing Prospero is his staff - the magic staff he wields and breaks at the play’s conclusion. We talked a lot about what Shakespeare meant by magic and how we could make that magic real in our age of special effects. One day Pete phoned me and said he’d found a piece of wood near his house that he thought was just right for Prospero. Over the next few weeks he honed, shaped and decorated this stick with totally individual things inspired by the play. When he arrived at rehearsals with it, the whole company was hypnotised by the way he handled and used it, no-one touched it ever! At the end of the production Prospero handed over the staff to his spirit Ariel and collapsed to the floor, his power gone, his life changed. It was an unforgettable piece of acting because you just knew that staff was part of Prospero and of course it was! Pete lit up the theatres he worked in. Everyone in the building got to know him. Every performance was a special event. People would come and see him before and after the show in all shapes and sizes. He always made time for them. He encouraged and inspired young actors, film-makers, teachers, anyone he saw potential in he would support. We will all miss him. A actor and a great human being. We will all miss him. Ingreat Rehearsal… Currently in rehearsal for Noël Coward’s PRIVATE LIVES at the Royal Exchange are Imogen Stubbs, Clive Hayward, Rose Johnson, Joanna Page and Simon Robson. Joining us in March for Brad Fraser’s 5@50 will be Jan Ravens, Ingrid Lacey, Teresa Banham, Barbara Barnes and Candida Gubbins.
New and Renewed Support ‘Backstage’ would like to thank and welcome all new and renewed supporters Patrons Maureen Casket Dr & Mrs Johnson Shirley Murtagh Stephen Poster Individual Members Annabel & James Carter Mr & Mrs J Whitfield Project Supporters Ernest Cook Trust Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust The Oglesby Charitable Trust Gold Membership Mr Gerry Ball Andrew & Chris Horner Mr J D Wignall Floor Plaques Arnold & Brenda Bradshaw Seat Plaques In memory of Harold Smith
To support us and donate £2 text ROYAL to 70099 Texts cost £2 plus your standard network rate of which £1.76 will go to the royal exchange theatre. *Virgin will be £1.48