|
Filumena Read Meggie R's Account of "Filumena"
Albemarle of London Review Page
Thanks to Cidy from the Netherlands for sharing these
Thanks to Cidy from the Netherlands for sharing this
|
|
The
Unofficial Chronology of Dame Judi Dench's Career |
|
Filumena Read Meggie R's Account of "Filumena"
Albemarle of London Review Page
Thanks to Cidy from the Netherlands for sharing these
Thanks to Cidy from the Netherlands for sharing this
|
|
She was a totally different person, up there on the stage, so close to me, (second row, aisle seat,) so close that I could have almost reached out and touched her little bare feet! She flounced around in her long nightgown, with a shawl 'round her shoulders. She kept adjusting and readjusting, wrapping and unwrapping the shawl, flinging it about for emphasis, as when she announced triumphantly, "Well, marriage must be *very good* for me, because I feel *much* better already ! " Oh, the broad smile as she said this, while her husband kept on raving, because she had tricked him into marriage! Her *walk* was nothing like Jean Pargeter, or even Dame Judi - she WAS Filumena Marturano ! She was Italian, with a very sensuous swaying of her hips, using broad hand gestures, and "flopping" into the big armchair in a very unladylike way, tilting her head back victoriously, smiling ever so smugly, at Domenico's exasperation! She was clearly enjoying her own cleverness. In the first act, her long, brown-grey hair streamed down her back, adding to the wanton look, while in the second act, her hair was done up in matronly waves. She wore a dowdy "house-dress," her stockings had seams down the back, and she wore shoes with heels, which accentuated the sexy walk. I hardly took my eyes off her, for even when others were speaking, she was reacting to every nuance, every word that anyone said. Her moods were positively palpable, as when the lavish dinner arrived and was placed on the dining table, and she suddenly realized that Domenico had ordered it for himself and his lover, assuming she would soon be dead. Similarly, in act three, you could almost feel the knot in her stomach, as she held her glass of wine, never even taking a sip, so devastated was she by the latest turn of events. In act three her hair was the same, her frock dressier, though she insisted it "doesn't hang right," and her shoes were new; they hurt so much that she hobbled around, taking them off, one at a time, standing on the other foot, and trying to soften the offending shoe by stretching it. At the end, when she finally was able to cry, I could feel the tears welling up inside her, long before she actually dissolved and let them pour down her face. She is simply magnificent - how in the world she does it is beyond me. After the play, my son and I waited for Dame Judi at the stage door. After about half an hour, out she came, all bundled up in a very long,snuggly light tan (probably cashmere) coat. Her hair was fluffed out, like it was in the Great Performances special when she sang "Send in the Clowns. There was very little chatter; most everyone was speechless in her presence. Many just held out their programs, and as she handed each one back after signing, *Judi* would say "Thank you very much." Imagine! When it was my turn, I asked if she would please sign my program, and she took it. While she signed, I told her that I had crossed the ocean to see her, and it was such a thrill to see her wonderful performance. Then I said "I'm Margaret R. from Pennsylvania - I wrote you a letter a few weeks ago," and she instantly looked straight into my eyes and said "I *remember* that letter - you're Meggie!" I was absolutely weak in the knees! "And you and your son are coming to the Sheldonian next week!" She actually remembered that also! I was really having trouble concentrating, trying to remember what I wanted to say, I was so excited. I said "Yes, we're coming to see you and Sir Michael." And she said, "Oh, thank you for saying that!" I replied,"Well, I saw you on TV in America last week, where you said you'd like him to be called 'Sir,' and well he should be. It will be such a pleasure to see you both." She thanked me again, took both my hands in hers, and said "Oh, my dear, your hands are so cold, I'm sorry you had to wait so long." After a bit more talk, we said our goodbyes, and Judi said "I'll see you at the Sheldonian, then." I can't remember any more, I think that was all - I felt we had taken enough of her time, and was so thrilled that I fairly floated away!
A Special Thank You to Meggie R. for sharing her experiences with us.
|
