Text of the Day: Sam Wanamaker arrives on site

Random and topical thoughts and quotes gathered by My Theatre Mates contributor Aleks Sierz, first published on www.sierz.co.uk.

One from the archives: In 1988, excavations began on the site of Shakespeare’s Globe, and the occasion called for a symbolic moment. Sam Wanamaker, American actor and director, and the passionate force behind the project, organised the event, which nearly ended in catastrophe:

“For Shakespeare’s Birthday in 1988, over 400 children from different countries processed into Southwark Cathedral carrying candles, wishing Shakespeare ‘Happy Birthday’ in their own language, while, on the Globe site, Judi Dench, newly made a Dame, donned a yellow helmet and operated the crane to dig the first hole on the site. The crane’s claw, full of dirt, swung perilously near Sam’s head, threatening to deposit the lot on top of him.” – Diana Devlin, Sam Wanamaker: A Global Performer, Oberon, [2019]

Aleks Sierz

Aleks Sierz FRSA is a theatre critic, and author of the seminal study of new 1990s playwrights, In-Yer-Face Theatre. His other books include Rewriting the Nation, The Theatre of Martin Crimp, John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, The Methuen Drama Guide to Contemporary British Playwrights and Modern British Playwriting. His latest book (co-authored with Lia Ghilardi) is The Time Traveller’s Guide to British Theatre. He also works as a journalist, broadcaster, and lecturer. Aleks blogs independently at www.sierz.co.uk and tweets at @alekssierz.