Vanessa Redgrave: A Life in Film

As elegant as ever Redgrave took the stage and held the audience for nearly two hours in which she never once resorted to humorous anecdote. Instead she talked about her art, her work as an actress and the fact that film had influenced her stage work rather than vice versa. Above all she believes that it is the role of the actor or actress, a word she insists is correct, to follow the director and do as one is told. It was not that the evening was without humour, she is immensely modest, self deprecating even. Of course the audience had a few who were their for political reasons, obviously misreading the title of the event. One asked if she had a message for President Obama relating to a political issue. Redgrave’s answer was succinct, ‘No, I’m sorry I do not’. Well done to her for such an elegant put down.

Concet Hall, Brighton Dome, 5 May 2012
[Rating: 5/5 stars]
Andrew Kay