Last night I watched a very good, colourful documentary about the explorer Richard Burton, fronted by Rupert Everett.
I think I saw his West End debut in Julian Mitchell's play about the school days of the Cambridge spies Burgess and Maclean - Another Country. He co-starred with Kenneth Branagh. I remember that when Rupert E. first walked on stage the audience gasped - quite loudly, unmistakably - at his physical beauty. Later I used to hear gossip about his exploits from Derek Jarman. In line with this the documentary focused on his sexual exploits more than his esoteric interests, which are the reason Burton features in my book... but I did try to suggest how sexual and spiritual experimentation are often intertwined.
Burgess has always fascinated me, because of the teasing games he used to play. When drunk he used to tell people he was a spy, but of course they just thought he was being ironic. It was a new note in British sensibility, which these days is everywhere at all levels of society.
The actor Richard Burton never played his namesake as far as i know, but looking at the craggy, brooding explorer in his portraits perhaps he should've done. I published a memoir of the actor by one of his brothers a few years ago, and there was a launch party in a pub near Cardiff. The relatives - very, very Welsh - kept calling me 'the big cheeyuz from London'.
Who's taking the piss out of who?
That's the authentic disquiet, the disconcerting whisper that distinguishes the best of British culture today from Banksy to Jordan.
I'm about half way through The Secret History (yes I know - late starter) and just wanted to say that I think it's answered just about every single question I've ever had about - well, just about everything. I'm one of these people that's undergone a "spiritual quest" (for want of a better expression) because I've always sensed that something wasn't quite right with conventional wisdom. And now I know why. The odd thing is that I also shy away from conspiracy theories and the like - and have been a bit worried about Graham Hancock in the past - for similar reasons. But I have to say I'm a lot happier now.
I have yet to read Hancock's Supernatural - my best friend is so appalled he's lending me his copy - but I am reliably informed that it's a very good read.
I've enjoyed reading your blog. Won't say anything about the typos!!! Otherwise hope you are well. Enjoy the Solstice next week - I will.
Posted by: Stef | June 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Thank you for that, Stef - it's really made my Solstice.
Thank you, too, for not mentioning the typoos. Thing is, I think about what I'm going to say coming in to work on the train from Tunbridge Wells, then try and type it up as quickly as possible while my colleagues wait impatiently and red faced for me to attend the first boring and pointless meeting of the day.
I had hoped things were a little better since my initiation into the secrets of spellcheck.
Posted by: jonathan black | June 13, 2008 at 04:21 PM