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grondficThis has been a week for the granting of outdated ennoblements. Passing swiftly over the midweek events in case anyone remembers my erstwhile embarrassing crush-of-shame on Sir Mogg, we now come to the King's inaugural Birthday Honours List.
Well, firstly, I have to say - it's a more even-handed and generous list than that of the once-aspiring 'World-King'. I feel that I'm honour-bound to add, however, that N*d*n* D*rr**s doesn't appear on this one either. As per normal, most walks-of-life are represented, and if anyone's interested - here's The Guardian's take on it:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/16/martin-amis-ian-mcewan-and-anna-wintour-honoured-in-kings-birthday-list
But - once again - there's one name absent amongst the acting honours that I look for, time after time in vain. That of ROGER ALLAM.
He's best-known on tv as DCI Fred Thursday, young Morse's boss in Endeavour. Its triumphant final series earlier this year would have been a perfect opportunity for some ennoblement (Anton Lesser might have been considered too!), but clearly Buckingham Palace doesn't watch the same tv as us plebs.
It doesn't watch the same plays either! We've seen Allam six times on stage, starting in 1988; therefore we've experienced a wide range of his talents and development as an actor.
So here's the list with a few comments or links to reviews:
Twelfth Night (1988 RSC Barbican)
I remember Roger as being an exceedingly handsome Sir Toby - a man in his prime rather than a washed-up old toper. He did not neglect the dark narcissism of the character - who canoodled with Maria in a high window-embrasure whilst watching the courtyard below where Feste was baiting an imprisoned Malvolio.
Summerfolk (1999 National)
This was Gorky's piss-take of Chekhov, and was an ensemble-piece with some impressive participants - Simon Russell Beale, Patricia Hodge, Jennifer Ehle, Henry Goodman. Roger, as the boorish host to a group of the nouveau riche, put in some 'sterling work' according to the Guardian critic.
The Tempest (2013 Shakespeare's Globe)
This was our first ever visit to the Globe, and it sold the venue to us! Roger's Prospero was notably tender and caring, with a laid-back attitude to all the magic tricks. Colin Morgan was his Ariel and Jessie Buckley his Miranda . My review is here:
https://grondfic.livejournal.com/159369.html
The Moderate Soprano (2018 Duke of York's)
Roger worked here with Nancy Carroll, with whom he later starred in the tv series Murder in Provence in 2022.
My review of the play is here:
https://grondfic.livejournal.com/259125.html
Rutherford and Son (2019 National)
Social realism in the North East written by a very perceptive woman (Githa Sowerby) in 1912. Cracking cast led by Roger Allam (who is overdue a knighthood!). Props too, to Anjana Vasan, as the doughty daughter-in-law.
A Number (2020 Bridge)
This was a two-hander with Colin Morgan (again). Roger played a 'father' who allowed himself to be cloned. Sadly, someone illegally cloned 20 or more 'sons', who are now running loose in the world. Each and every clone is played by Morgan.
My review is towards the end of this entry:
https://grondfic.livejournal.com/283940.html
I hope I've made my case for a knighthood for this highly versatile and well-loved actor. (And that's even without mentioning that he was the original Javert when Les Mis opened in 1985!) Please, someone, forward this entry to Buckingham Palace and No. 10!
Well, firstly, I have to say - it's a more even-handed and generous list than that of the once-aspiring 'World-King'. I feel that I'm honour-bound to add, however, that N*d*n* D*rr**s doesn't appear on this one either. As per normal, most walks-of-life are represented, and if anyone's interested - here's The Guardian's take on it:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/16/martin-amis-ian-mcewan-and-anna-wintour-honoured-in-kings-birthday-list
But - once again - there's one name absent amongst the acting honours that I look for, time after time in vain. That of ROGER ALLAM.
He's best-known on tv as DCI Fred Thursday, young Morse's boss in Endeavour. Its triumphant final series earlier this year would have been a perfect opportunity for some ennoblement (Anton Lesser might have been considered too!), but clearly Buckingham Palace doesn't watch the same tv as us plebs.
It doesn't watch the same plays either! We've seen Allam six times on stage, starting in 1988; therefore we've experienced a wide range of his talents and development as an actor.
So here's the list with a few comments or links to reviews:
Twelfth Night (1988 RSC Barbican)
I remember Roger as being an exceedingly handsome Sir Toby - a man in his prime rather than a washed-up old toper. He did not neglect the dark narcissism of the character - who canoodled with Maria in a high window-embrasure whilst watching the courtyard below where Feste was baiting an imprisoned Malvolio.
Summerfolk (1999 National)
This was Gorky's piss-take of Chekhov, and was an ensemble-piece with some impressive participants - Simon Russell Beale, Patricia Hodge, Jennifer Ehle, Henry Goodman. Roger, as the boorish host to a group of the nouveau riche, put in some 'sterling work' according to the Guardian critic.
The Tempest (2013 Shakespeare's Globe)
This was our first ever visit to the Globe, and it sold the venue to us! Roger's Prospero was notably tender and caring, with a laid-back attitude to all the magic tricks. Colin Morgan was his Ariel and Jessie Buckley his Miranda . My review is here:
https://grondfic.livejournal.com/159369.html
The Moderate Soprano (2018 Duke of York's)
Roger worked here with Nancy Carroll, with whom he later starred in the tv series Murder in Provence in 2022.
My review of the play is here:
https://grondfic.livejournal.com/259125.html
Rutherford and Son (2019 National)
Social realism in the North East written by a very perceptive woman (Githa Sowerby) in 1912. Cracking cast led by Roger Allam (who is overdue a knighthood!). Props too, to Anjana Vasan, as the doughty daughter-in-law.
A Number (2020 Bridge)
This was a two-hander with Colin Morgan (again). Roger played a 'father' who allowed himself to be cloned. Sadly, someone illegally cloned 20 or more 'sons', who are now running loose in the world. Each and every clone is played by Morgan.
My review is towards the end of this entry:
https://grondfic.livejournal.com/283940.html
I hope I've made my case for a knighthood for this highly versatile and well-loved actor. (And that's even without mentioning that he was the original Javert when Les Mis opened in 1985!) Please, someone, forward this entry to Buckingham Palace and No. 10!
