Wi l l
Waspe
1 am sad to learn — I hope erroneously, but I fear not — that National Theatre associate director Michael Blakemore is taking an extended 'leave of absence to undertake one or two assignments in the commercial theatre. This is a crucial time for the ' National ', with Peter Hall assuming full responsibility in three months time.
It is a period, I would think when continuity is of the essence and, apart from Olivier himself (who cannot be too charmed by the new situation), Blakemore would have represented just that. Many I suspect, would repose 1 more confidence in his professional judgement and expertise than in that of the other associate directors put together
Designing women
One of the little matters that will absorb Blakemore outside the ' National ' is, I hear, the production of a revival of Noel Coward's Design for Living in which a former National Theatre associate director, actor Robert Stephens, is to appear with — guess who? — Vanessa Redgrave.
This news was not received with excessive enthusiasm by Maggie Smith who, it seems, was rather keen to appear in that very play herself, even if only on television. BBC-TV producer Cedric Messina was given to understand that Miss Smith would be delighted to do Design for Living on the box and that it would be amusing if a production could be scheduled to coincide with the opening night of the StephensRedgra ve version.
Alas, we shall be denied this fascinating rivalry, for the television rights were not available.
Carry on drinking
The loss of its liquor licence has not had any noticeable effect on business at Bury Street's Georgian Club. Members are simply bringing their own bottles, and the club is charging E5 a bottle for the grape juice the hostesses drink.
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