Love’s Labour’s Lost

Synopsis: Live audio recording of Laurence Olivier’s 1968 production of Love’s Labour’s Lost with Jeremy Brett as Berowne and Joan Plowright as Rosalind.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Audio
Recording date: 23 Jan 1969

General: The performance was notable for the cherished note that director Olivier gave to Jeremy Brett on opening night. Brett kept it all his life. It read: ‘These are the do’s and don’ts of acting. Do’s: Think. Keep your neck back. Think. Be frank. Think. Perceive. Think. Listen. Think. Be in love with Joan [Plowright]. Blaze.' The Don’ts: [Don’t be] Ingratiating. Soft. Adorable. Glamorous. Earnest. Polite. Decorated. Gobblesome.
On the reverse side, it said: Love wishes. Love gratitude. Love admiration. Love from Larry. [From Jeremy Brett’s website. http://www. jeremybrett.info/st_loveslabour.html - accessed 11/2008].
History: Opening date 16 December 1968
Stills: "More than anything else, the show takes its atmosphere from Carl Tom’s decor: a set of lofty plane trees that swing into new groups as the scene changes against a deep green backcloth traced with leafy avenues and ghostly pavilions. Against this is set a sumptuous blaze of Renaissance costume which - particularly in the case of the women - largely determines the character of the performance." Irving Wardle, The Times (20 December 1968).
Reviews: Marowitz, Charles. New York Times (22 December 1968).

British Universities Film & Video Council