Michael Redgrave and Lynn Redgrave
Star of Shine and Gods & Monsters Never Really Knew Her Father.
Lynn Redgrave writes about life’s most basic questions, some of which may still be never be answered. In Part Three of this five-part series Lynn Redgrave talks about one of England’s finest Shakespearean actors, Sir Micheal Redgrave.
Did you get to know your father before he died?
“I can’t say I knew him before he died, but I did have the special privilege of knowing when my last day with him was. I knew on the day that I saw him for the very last time, I knew that was going to be the last time and that is a great privilege which many people are robbed of by accident usually. They don’t get their end time or they don’t know the person is going to die. In my husband (John Clark's) case, he was on his way to see his dying father in England and his father died before he got off the plane.
When I saw my dad, I knew it was going to be the last time and I therefore was open emotionally in every way. To hang on to every second and make the most of it and therefore when he died full of many complex reactions, much of which is in the show – but the one thing I don’t have…. if only I could have had that very last moment. I had my last moment and I am very grateful for that.”
Do you have people coming to you saying my father was like that…
“In the couple of embryonic versions I have done, previously yes, a great deal of the audience – not only women, but men as well, come up and say that could have been me, and that could have been my father.
When you did such and such a scene, it brought back completely those feelings that I had too.
I do find that the search for one’s father is such a universal thing. It runs so deep in so many people – both men and women in a way that it doesn’t perhaps for the mother perhaps because we all come out of our mother’s womb. Whether they are extraordinarily good mothers or only half-hearted mothers, it is an unconditional love that a mother has for her child and the father’s love is conditional. When there is a less than golden relationship, the father is not emotionally present for you. I think as a child ….I certainly assumed that it was because I was not worthy of it. It was only as I grew up I learned that not only I was worthy, but in fact there was a love and attention in certain ways being paid. But it was too late for him to communicate it. So it takes lot of sorting out and I find there are people years older than I who are still working it out as well.”
You are about to turn 50. What gives you your stamina?
“I love to work. I am energized by work. I find that the more I have on my plate, the more energy I have to deal with it and I think probably most people are like that. Having a lot to cope with, and a lot to do, actually invigorates me fantastically.
I don’t know. I've got no really handy tips except I always take a nap before I go onstage. I learned that from the old actors when I was a child. All the great actors always took a nap before they went onstage not only so they could muster their strength at the time of day when most people are putting their feet up – you’ve got to bring yourself to the height of your strength and your energy – but also because a nap either in the theatre before you go on, or a couple of hours ahead or at home before you get to the theatre, wipes the day clean. Whatever’s gone before, a sleep kind of wipes it out and you get a fresh start and your fresh start begins with getting ready for the show. I find it absolutely vital and I never do without it even if it is only 20 minutes, I can put myself completely out on the floor somewhere.”
Sir Micheal Redgrave
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Lynn Redgrave
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