Tom Stoppard RIP

Culture
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I started working at 18 in London in 1965, on Piccadilly, initially living at home and commuting, but by 21 had moved into a “fourth girl wanted” flat in Kilburn. London was my world. And nothing was more glorious than the theatre, and the greatest was the National and it was there that I discovered Tom Stoppard, from the early days. I loved his work - though did wonder sometimes if he knew how to finish a play. :slight_smile: I remember the joy of Diana Rigg and Michael Hordern In Jumpers - over fifty years ago (how is that possible?) and the moment when contemplating “is God?” Michael steps off the chair.

And one of my all-time favourite films, Shakespeare in Love, where Tom’s language just pours over me.

A great playwright and I feel so fortunate to have been there, all those years ago.

Sleep well Sir Tom, you have earned it. :slight_smile:

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Heaven’s; Jumpers! Haven’t thought of that in 50 odd years. As well as being a great playwright also shows how good immigrants can be for the UK.

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Yes a great talent indeed.

By coincidence before I heard the news about Sir Tom’s death I was discussing films with She Whose Views Must Be Taken Into Consideration and suggested she might like “Shakespeare in Love”. So we will definitely have to watch that together.

When I was at school the drama society put on performances of The Real Inspector Hound and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. (I was stage staff I didn’t perform much!)

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I had a rather embarrassing encounter with Sir Tom and his then wife, Dr Miriam Stoppard.

A pal who did ‘ground handling’ for independent tourists persuaded me to do the London Tourist Board Driver/Guide quali - quite a grunt - on the basis of the occasional amusing jolly when I got fed up with doing up my flat in Maida Vale, which I was doing full-time.

One of these jollies was a Theatre night/Pub night tour with four American couples. Nice gig.

One Theatre Night was for a production at The Chichester Festival Theatre - I forget what :roll_eyes:

A marquee had been set up serving a buffet early supper. We arrived in good time but not as early as a couple already standing waiting for the marquee to open - Sir Tom and Lady Stoppard.

My clients took up the ready position and when the door to the marquee opened, barreled past Sir Tom and his wife - talk about being killed in the rush. They stood aside to let the horde pass. I stood, mortified. Sir Tom and his wife paused, we exchanged a look …

When I joined my group, who were happily heaping up their plates, quite oblivious to what they had done - never mind to whom - I said “Anyone know who it was, standing waiting … ?” None of them had ever heard of Stoppard. I described him a one of English language’s finest living playwrights.

“Oh gee, Chris! We had no idea!”

"Well, you’ll see for yourself because our final theatre night, after tomorrow’s pub night, will be at the Bristol Old Vic, to see his play, ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’

What a play! The night we saw it was penultimate show. As soon as I was back in London I called the theatre to see if they had tix for the last night. All they had was a box.

“How much is that?”
“£6”
“Per person?”
“No. The box. Seats 4”
" :astonished_face:"

Two pals and I drove over to Brsl and I saw Rosencratz again, two nights running.

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Sadly Jumpers is not often performed these days - it’s a great play. The first of his plays I saw was Rosencratz and Guilderstein together with the Real Inspector Hound. He’s a great loss to the theatre.

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Lovely obituary:

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