Alannah O'Sullivan performs "the Lamplighter".]]>http://www.johncairney.com/johncairneyhome/rss-comments-entry-11681159.xmlchris sainsburyWed, 11 May 2011 21:31:18 +0000http://www.johncairney.com/johncairneyhome/2011/5/11/episode-18-men-and-women-in-the-theatre.html436393:5409507:11433776

I am by profession and inclination and actor. But I am a stage actor. Let me tell you something about the theatre. It is principally the province of the audience not the actor. The actor is merely to serve the audience as it comes in. The audience gathers and becomes a mass. They start in their seats as elbow strangers but ultimately they become one entity.

Ivor Novello was a Welsh born actor, singer and composer who became one of the most successful entertainers in Britain during the early 20th Century. Now, I was playing Ivor Novello one time and during the singing of one of the great songs, I had to have a heart attack. So when the moment came....

John Cairney and Alannah O'Sullivan perform a duet.

John and Alannah perform this lovely piece together.

I Lang hae thought, my youthfu' friend, A something to have sent you, Tho' it should serve nae ither end Than just a kind memento: But how the subject-theme may gang, Let time and chance determine; Perhaps it may turn out a sang: Perhaps turn out a sermon.

Ye'll try the world soon, my lad; And, Andrew dear, believe me, Ye'll find mankind an unco squad, And muckle they may grieve ye: For care and trouble set your thought, Ev'n when your end's attained; And a' your views may come to nought, Where ev'ry nerve is strained.

I'll no say, men are villains a'; The real, harden'd wicked, Wha hae nae check but human law, Are to a few restricked; But, Och! mankind are unco weak, An' little to be trusted; If self the wavering balance shake, It's rarely right adjusted!

John discusses his own addition to Shakespearean lore with his portrayal of Hamlet and that famous soliloquy.

John discusses autographs and the day he met Muhammad Ali in Chicago back in the great boxer's heyday. John and Muhammad Ali traded poetry as they walked along the streets.

John recalls his experiences filming the classic movie "Jason and the Argonauts" on location in Italy with Ray Harryhausen.

Here I am with many more curls! This was the scene where I faced the monster.

And my death scene!

Here is an audio interview with Ray from 2005 that shows the great man's charm: "Ray Harryhausen Interview".

John Cairney recites a verse by Robert Burns:
'Lord Rosebery to his lady said,
"My hinnie and my succour,
Shall we dae the thing, ye ken,
Or shall we have our supper?"
Wi' modest face, sae fu' o' grace,
Replied the bonie lady,
'My noble lord may do as he please,
But supper isnae ready."