THE CHINA MAIL, A MONDAY, MAY 25, 1959.
These are some of the violent people as you have seen them* sparked by this man's turbulent imagination-
Now he gives a surprising insight into the
mechanics of shocking by
SECOND in a four-star series of personal testaments from people of fascination who rarely give Interviews, these are the words of a foremost American playwright, talking in Paris this week to JOHN CRUESEMANN :-
*
TENNESSEE
WILLIAMS
I AM a man of few words. Most people like
Come on, cough up that coronet....
Your Graces, Dukes of the United Kingdom
Anne
Sharpley
ONE of you is under suspicion. One of you
borrowed a coronet for the last Coronation from the 12th Duke of Bedford. Which Your Grace did not then return;
Suspecting a duke of, thaft, or, Duke of Bedford is not absolved shall wo say, unduly Jong bor from suph on as he still how rowing, is rtunately a limited, a great deal of sorting out to do as well as exhilarating, experi- at Woburn. ence since there twenty-five of you to cuspect.
only
The four Dukes of the Blood Royal are exempled on the
grounds that there must be a sufficiency of coronela to K round in those, circles at least.
And from
the remaining 21 we should certainly exclude the
As Your Graces know it was is a bit of a mess when inherited it in 1003 and perhaps some of you think it has become an even worse one, what with nudists and milk bars and steam-roller railles.
But although His Grace, the Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke Duse of Bedford, is certain that or Norfolk seems an unlikely his father lent his coronet to coronet-flcher. And the Thike one of you, and that it was sub-
of the television screen. I am is strangling It. No, I am not of Westminster possibly loo rich, sequently not returned, it might not a television snob. I watch so starry-eyed as to believe ali
a lot in my New York apart- children would read books if
wax like, ce piny not youth, novels, my favourite there when I am on my company they had no television.
way be due to the feel being "Nob. Roy." to talk about themselves, but I don't feel at this Sweet Bird of Youth." own and ease doing this, so I am inclined to make up for that "Sweet Bird" is the first this deficiency by giving my characters long produced, monologues,
no
When I am writing I have to identify myself completely with my characters otherwise they have reality; this way I can project myself.
1
pm interested in writing delineation of emotion that he about the lasides of people, reaches his peak. that is by trying to penetrale their minds,
their mulions, But their moods. For this I am branded, quite falsely in my opinion, as a neuralle.
Bislesily he is a gentle person with kind eyes. Hemingway for ne is the greatest living writer in English, and his nest book Is The Sun Also Rises."
Most plays, especially English plays at any rate, until quite recently are plays of situation, This means not of character, usually that an audience watchers, that is. ing my own work with its so- called ray emetion somethnes gels shocked
John Gaborne and people like him, are
now producing these "interior" plays. The English pubile may be a little slow in appreciating their siguillennee because they feel such plays to be in bad taste, But you know the Elizabethans did this all 400 There is nothing years ago. absolutely new in it.
Of course, I have read about Terence Ralligan's mythieni yet that Edna," powerful "Aunt audience image whose suscepti- Lilies Roan tries not lo upset too much. Admirable us
soine of Rattigan's plays are. I think it is a mistake to write for Aunt Edna" myself unless she is a very liberal character,
The Audience
I do not forget the audience while a writing. But I am not out to please the audience, interest them, to I want to excite them, to combat their In- difference und rouse them from their after-dinner opathy.
I
50
I try to maintain two coven- anty with an audience, No! to deceive and not to bore. think any I do not bore much as annoy and tho least has the merit of positive reaction.
I do not take choructers from ie, only possibly some of my wn family, the female rem
For the one real quality which I believe I have i possessing an almost frog- mental mind, a multiple-split personality if you like, I unti pick up alt sorts of signs from recple and spot what they are
ke
anyone.
I believe I can get myself into the situation of almost This way I build up minil characters in my own
The only from these probings, teople really like are old and sick people; for them i have a terrible tenderness. And for the very young I have on inmense sympathy.
Hatred
of my own plays which I
Snobbery
As I get older I am becoming
This love of reading gave me more and mare interested · In
one of the supreme, almost I was poor I didn't maller so money-and why not? When a great love of writing. Today much; now I am more con- -hidden tragedies of the time is Oh, God, what they are miss- It does some- for what I do. gerned that I should get money that children do not read. thing to the cgo to earn good Ing while they sit glued in front money-and actually to get it.
Now I like to live well, which means for me travelling first- closs. I suppose I could adjust myself again to the less expen- sive life, for the difference in Being well and not so well is There is much exaggerated.
ttle difference in certainly happiness.
Vulgarity
When I see my plays being Almed "Sweet Bird of Youth" is already sold for the screen--- I don't like the result at all. The plays seem to lose their portic quality. The one excep- tion was "Streetcar in which I thought Vivien Leigh gave an performance, She exquisite seemed the perfect Blanche Dubots as I had conceived her in my own mind with an almost de- compelling quality that manded to be heard. And I have roen some extraordinary "Blanches" in my time.
"Baby Doll" was a great film too, it felt it had touches
1 don't like reading my own of vulgarity which spoiled it nolless. Nowadays I get more rather. Though Elia Kazan
more nervous about it which leads to a general attri did a wonderful job, he over- That awful uphasised the erotic-symbolic having-to-wall for the verdiet, side of the story. which in New York cube absolutely decisive,
flon of the nerves.
humiliates
Usually, when I see my characters on the stage, I and them iluminated by the per- me to a degree that enrages formance so that they become better characters than I had
ne.
Last month when iny newest conceived. I have never yet
play "Sweet Bird of Youth found an actor who let a part
But if only 10 per cent did, tired, although I have no set at
that would be something. What Key West, Florida..
in to happen if that 18 per cent For children I would have fail to appreciate in time the television banned. They sit prealest treasure the human watching Western after Western, race has got man's ability to with his fellow opera. Their minds are blunted, beings? their imagination blurred,
-box onera follows soap-box communicate
This love of reading is more than almost any precious falth, and the electric monster
TOMORROW: Marilyn Monroo
Under suspicion
have got hidden in the Chinese dalry or one of the bison shieds.
I nevertheless quote the pre- sent duke:
Which leaves 18 cf. Your Grace with a cloud of suspicion "I would be grateful to any hanging OVET your hends duke who sees this if he would approximately where the coronet return the coronet. I don't think was Rix years ago, almest to i shtali need it for myself, but the month, may I emphasise.
my son might." Among those of us accustom- ed to more utilitarian and less valuable headgear, six years is ja long time, Your Graces.
And in the interests of 18 of you may. I add that the present
THE MONEY WORRIES OF MACMILLAN'S MINISTERS
13
ARE WE
hed its first night in New York down providing that part had YOU may have read
I WOTE nut rend ln notices Been drawn with due care.
sigut out of town next
lay, nor would I go to the first
night party uuli 1 knew the
List of the reviews.
Prejudice
A
the other day about trim, bowler-hatted business man driving in immaculate green his Bentley to preside at a conference in Mayfair.
Probably you didn't give the story a second thought After oil a lot of business men drive around in luxury cars, Eat The War T
This haired of notices has got I am largely of British stock. worse; oddly enough cannot My father's family were from The novels of sensibilly have remember clearly whni the Cardiff and emigrated to Ten- Influenced ine: these again deal opening night of "Streetcar ressec, before the Wars of With the wildes ef people.
Independence in which they America Carson McCullers is a
fought with some vigour, more notable exponent of this form Left to right; Aund so than in the Civil War 80 of novel, but Hemingway is a *. Magnani ju "Rose Tation" powerful sereitung Rovelist Bar! Tors in "Cat on a Hue Thyrius later
By that time, not sharing the Roof" Vivien Leigh in Street aristocratic prejudices of the "It always seems to me that cor Named Desire," Marlon other Southerners, they had despite ail the action in Brando in "Streetcar," Carroll already berated their own on an overdraft, its wife has Hemingway's books it is in his Baker in "Baby Doll,”
as well.
1
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little insanal about this one.
Two years ago he was living
slaves.
disclosed that he could not afford My people
mostly were
to take his family abroad on In fact, he could not lawyers and poiitlelans, often hollday. studying abroad (my grand-even afford to buy himself a father went in Heidelberg). One new sult. at my ancestors was actually scalped by an Indlun.
Although I myself was born In Columbus (in 1911), Bisnis sippl. when I chose to add another Christian name I took that of Tennessee because of its family association,
Love
What has so kuɑdentų aptes him from being chronically, hard - up to Hulng at the Bentley level?
The answer is quite simple.. HE 'CHANGED HIS JOB.
Going up
He was a junior Minister In the Government at £3,500 a I began writing poems and 1 year. Now he la company short alarles when I w 12, director several times over with It came quite naturally to me en income which can hardly be because I led such an intense less than 23,000 a year."! interior life.
RESERVED Company diredars
Cummings
BEING FAIR TO OUR TOP MEN?
Minister of Labour Britain has ever had.
The £5,000 a year he drew the taxpayers
has from multiplied TV or six mea
private enterprise presented by the Midland Bank
the Trag Petroleum Com juny wiler Lord Monckton- now presides as chairman.
from
who
Arc
ro-
by- BERNARD HARRIS
Woolton's way
ra
The Duke of Bedford, despite his view that "I don't think being a duke means anything." shows some insight into dukely ways when he adds:
Whoever borrowed it prob- ably got back homa
tired out. took off the coronet and robes, zonk into a hot bath-and for- cot all about it."
An old friend
Which provides a clue. Which ever of Your Graces home caronet kicking around his bathroom. inay possibly como to the conclusion that it is the Bedford coronet. And return it.
It is a subject for continual speculation among us com. moners what the rest of Your Graces make of your brother Bedford.
I mean, he is practically the first duke the public has acen, let alone spoken to, paited on the back, got autographs from and looked at so often on the telly that he's just like an old family, news announcer.
You must have gossiped a bit at Coronation get-togethers about the Russells having
al
ways been an odd family.
But John. Robert Russell, the 19th Duke, has certainly blown the gaffe on Dukes, if you'll pardon the expression.
Having been cut off from people during his childhood by a very odd father and later cut ff from his inheritance too-the present Duke of Bedford seems to be in 'n state of constant astonishment at how nice the been people he had always warned against really are.
And now he has written all about in a book ho calls Silver-PLATED Spoon (Cranell, 218.) Not even a straight silver spoon, you note.
Loneliest man
Listen
This is
to the Government fiself? Don't we want to attract the finest brains of all for tho
to what he wrlies (who leaned anpremely important task of about his father running the country?
one of you his coronet); Yet look at he may
the loneliest man I ever salaries currently offered them. knew, Incapable of giving or DÔC ceiving love, utterly self-centred and ophionated."
Under a pleture “or his “grouna grandmother, no writes: "This These are some of the men
His have got out. Behind
Nerd you wonder that many portrait frightens me."
"He was a But them in Whitehall they, have is virtually unsackable.
Ministers are now nearing the great-grandfather:
shy, Introspective man, con- end of their financial tether and vinced that people only liked left former colleagues who the Minister? He can lose his
troubled men.
pre seriously thinking Troubled Job not merely at the whim of about their shrinking bank x electors but in any political abandoning politics for the City? him for his money.
possible." balances, Troubled whether reshuffle.
And who can blame them Should any of Your Graces when the average pay of a
read the book it is going to pro- they could afford to remain members of the Macmillan Government if the. Torios win
company director today to over duce a shock or two (If you go 28,000 a year? And when there to Woburn you can probably get the election.
are plenty of companies paying the author to sign your copy-- look anything
from been
£10,000 grimly Some
The civil servant can
10ho's always around somewhere). hanging on in the belief that forward to retirement on a sub- £30,000 a year?
But it's no good protesting. the their turn must surely come antial
pension, For
Lord Woolton has had ample As he says: "I don't care what But for a pay increase, now Minister a pensionless old age experience of Cabinet jobs. But the other Dakes think. I know their hopes have been shattered., is a thing he tries to avoid does he think private business I am more successful than any can be run successfully on the of them and so presumably my When he was asked the other thinking about, day what proposals he had for
Consider. too. how sadly the Cabinot pay level? Not for a methods are better than theirs," moment: His old. company, increasing the pay of Ministers,
Government.compares with that on average of £23,000 a year. with a alngle word, NONE.
And, of course, company Not a ha'penny more for her of the men who run
Nothing nationalised industries.
directors enjoy other benefis Majesty's Muisiers.
Perhaps what is most endear Sir Brian Robertson's pay has which Cabinet Ministers - Inck--- though higher
ing about this breakaway Duke free car, a pension wouldn't close Woburn to
have
In old age.
the Prime Minister answered to of the members of the Lewis's, · L4d., pays its directors Always welcome
the
It was not until I was 27 that And Sir Toby Low, former for them, even I wrole plays, which I started | Minister of State at the Board civil servalits have been given been pushed up from £6,500 to among them handsome expensis the way he enjoys it all, Ho
is
Lord
the
on retirement, and compena public now, he says, even if he
to
10
Bowman's from £7,500- to to do because, being a lonely of Trade, is, of course, not they create ranging from £10,000 a your,Bir James allowances,
For the Brit me in history £10,000, person, I could in this way pro- only one who has abandoned £200 to £1,000 year
Are we then to assume that on I they are unlucky enough struck all in the bits of Blooms- vide myself with company. The the struggle to make ends meet
M. we now have top civil servantg creation of characters gave my an a Minister'a meagro pay.
IS THERE ANY REASON is still managing drawing substantially more the head of the Transport Com- logs their fob.
hang on to -life come valus and interest,
There
TO THINK THAT HELPING Clone Woburn. Never! I've
· Mancroft, - pay than thefr","bosses,
mission of of the Coat Board Minister without The Joint permanent secre is worth twice as much to to TO GOVERN A COUNTRYgot 32 sitting-rooms Until then I had gotten elong || (former -
and no IS SO DIFFERENT FROM Time to sit down. If It gives the by hook or by crook, doing & Portfolio, who found time taries of the Treasury Str country as a Cabides Minister? Even the boss" of an arpa
ANY OTHER OCCUPATION public pleasure to come and sc variety of jobs, whatever turned possible to provide for a family Norman Brook and Ble Boger
THAT THE MONEY SIDE them and me they'll always ko up, in fact. I was quite happy of ave chlidren on £3,750 Making-bave been stepped up electricity board and there are
HARDLY COUNTS! THAT welcome." In those days,
10 £7,500 a year each. But their 12.of them in the country-now- 11 were to pinpoint one He threw in his lot with Me chief, Ho Chancellor of the gets a larger pay packet than.
WE CAN RUN BUTAIN ON "Well, it had to happen. There THE CHEAP AND STILL had eventually to be a Duke single factor which has helped Team Wolfson, who recently an Exchequer, still has to make do some members of the Cabinet. mo. I would unhesitatingly say pointed him chairman of Globlit on. 26,750;
If you ask why these burogu»
GET GOOD RESULTS7
who could⋅ may things like that. u love of books. My grand- Tours-a' Greet Univental Supree And when you come to some crsts have had their pay raised Surely not. If we penist.in | The, rest of you left it too late. father had a large ibrary of rubsidiary which rinariedacii of the other Departments you you are given the mandard underpaying members of the So come on," Your » Cracer, clamical Engilsh literature. I tripe on the Continent The and that, the civil servant answer: "Salaries must be ro- Government we shall have the cough up his coronat, S
If you leave it much longer was a lonely and unhappy child rate for that job? At least at the top la getting 40 per cent lated to pay for equivalent jobs sale of power filled by second- and by the age of 242 had £10,000 year more than hi Minister engine in private industry. Otherwise rotors, And that would be, be's sime to put its an display. voraciously read Shakespeare: Another to love, phillies-
Mucs-for-7 Was merel, more pay. Vastly we should not be able to attract about the most dianstrous with a nation miglaining wherO my, favourites being the gore the faster pay pac #brymore cavity as sotit if the right men hunn economy it is possible to tot to.aor six or seven years,
With respect, Your GraCKEĄ, tragedies like "Olheilo," "Tītus business lies. Lond Andronicus," and "King John" - probatily the most
The dril servant has, the eful, safoot: Job, In the country. His
But does but that arrument imagine. apply with much greater force
Fan(London Exprean Korpión]/
and London - Mapress Zervice).-