Ghost of Quentin Crisp
Theatre
SF Playhouse presents 'Tea N Crisp'
Published 02/07/2008 in The Bay Area Reporter.
by David Alexander Nahmod
In 1931, Quentin Crisp (1908-99) coined a very popular phrase when he said, "I wish to live in the world, not in a closet." For the next 40 years, Crisp lived as we live today: out, loud and proud. But in mid-20th century London, there was no LGBT community for him to stand with. Crisp, an effeminate homosexual, stood alone.
He paid dearly for his choice. Beatings were routine, as was denial of housing and employment. He was even arrested for prostitution while waiting for a bus. But Crisp stood his ground and remained true to who he was. For four decades, he pranced around London attired in velvet jackets and flowing scarves. He dyed his hair and sported flaming red nail-polish.
In 1966, his fortunes changed considerably. His autobiography The Naked Civil Servant was a bestseller across the UK. A decade later, John Hurt portrayed Crisp in a BBC adaptation of the book. PBS aired the film soon after, and Quentin Crisp became an international celebrity. When he came to the United States to promote the film, he found his true home. At 72, Quentin Crisp moved into a small rooming house in New York's East Village. He lived as he did in London, but now people approached him to pay homage.
During his New York years, Crisp published numerous books, worked as a film critic, and appeared in more than a dozen movies. He also toured extensively in a one-man show. In An Evening with Quentin Crisp, the elegant Elder Statesmen spoke of his life, his views, and whatever else struck is fancy. He drew rave reviews and capacity crowds wherever he performed. When he died, at 90, he was preparing to go onstage.
Bay Area native Richard Louis James relates to the pain his idol lived through. James' mother died when he was seven. Soon after, his father abandoned the family and was never heard from again. Though raised by a loving Grandma, James, who says he was an "effeminate" boy, faced rejection from other family members. James' brother was killed in a plane crash at a young age. Like Crisp, James has lived most of his life without family. Both men were strong, and accepted themselves. Though he supported himself by working in retail, James enjoyed a second, after-hours career as an actor in Bay Area theatre.
James was introduced to the Quentin Crisp legend when The Naked Civil Servant aired on PBS in 1977. "It was interesting, but I didn't bond with him yet," recalls James. In 2003, James' doctor was honored with a lifetime achievement award at Concord's Rainbow Community Center, a safe haven for LGBT youth. Aware of James' acting background, the doctor called and asked if he could entertain at the event.
"What to do?" said James. "Hamlet didn't seem like a good choice! But then John Butterfield, a dancer I knew from theatre circles, gave me a copy of The Wit & Wisdom of Quentin Crisp. I've always been drawn to books, so I read it for inspiration. His message of taking pride in who you are spoke to me. It was magic!"
James made himself up to look like the legendary icon. "I put together a 10-minute set, tweaking his words a bit to fit the audience."
During Pride Week 2007, James premiered his now full-length show Tea N Crisp at the Shotgun Players Theatre in Berkeley, where he is a member of the stock company. The show is largely a recreation of An Evening with Quentin Crisp .
"95% of it is his words," explains James. "I transcribe his performances, and take passages from his books and quotes from friends of his. I write a little bit of material to make it timely for a current audience."
Now San Francisco audiences can see James when he brings Tea N Crisp to the SF Playhouse in February. James' show brings the gay icon to life.
"I feel very blessed that he has allowed me to represent him," says James. "I'm giving reference to who he was."
James hopes that fans and friends of Crisp will chat with him at www.QuentinCrisp.info. The UK-based site, brainchild of Nigel Kelly, is attempting to document the life and career of Crisp. The site's message board now has a section devoted to Tea N Crisp.
Tea N Crisp, with Richard Louis James as Quentin Crisp, plays Sundays in February at 2 p.m., SF Playhouse, 533 Sutter St., SF. (415) 677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org
Read the original article.
SF Playhouse presents 'Tea N Crisp'
Published 02/07/2008 in The Bay Area Reporter.
by David Alexander Nahmod
In 1931, Quentin Crisp (1908-99) coined a very popular phrase when he said, "I wish to live in the world, not in a closet." For the next 40 years, Crisp lived as we live today: out, loud and proud. But in mid-20th century London, there was no LGBT community for him to stand with. Crisp, an effeminate homosexual, stood alone.
He paid dearly for his choice. Beatings were routine, as was denial of housing and employment. He was even arrested for prostitution while waiting for a bus. But Crisp stood his ground and remained true to who he was. For four decades, he pranced around London attired in velvet jackets and flowing scarves. He dyed his hair and sported flaming red nail-polish.
In 1966, his fortunes changed considerably. His autobiography The Naked Civil Servant was a bestseller across the UK. A decade later, John Hurt portrayed Crisp in a BBC adaptation of the book. PBS aired the film soon after, and Quentin Crisp became an international celebrity. When he came to the United States to promote the film, he found his true home. At 72, Quentin Crisp moved into a small rooming house in New York's East Village. He lived as he did in London, but now people approached him to pay homage.
During his New York years, Crisp published numerous books, worked as a film critic, and appeared in more than a dozen movies. He also toured extensively in a one-man show. In An Evening with Quentin Crisp, the elegant Elder Statesmen spoke of his life, his views, and whatever else struck is fancy. He drew rave reviews and capacity crowds wherever he performed. When he died, at 90, he was preparing to go onstage.
Bay Area native Richard Louis James relates to the pain his idol lived through. James' mother died when he was seven. Soon after, his father abandoned the family and was never heard from again. Though raised by a loving Grandma, James, who says he was an "effeminate" boy, faced rejection from other family members. James' brother was killed in a plane crash at a young age. Like Crisp, James has lived most of his life without family. Both men were strong, and accepted themselves. Though he supported himself by working in retail, James enjoyed a second, after-hours career as an actor in Bay Area theatre.
James was introduced to the Quentin Crisp legend when The Naked Civil Servant aired on PBS in 1977. "It was interesting, but I didn't bond with him yet," recalls James. In 2003, James' doctor was honored with a lifetime achievement award at Concord's Rainbow Community Center, a safe haven for LGBT youth. Aware of James' acting background, the doctor called and asked if he could entertain at the event.
"What to do?" said James. "Hamlet didn't seem like a good choice! But then John Butterfield, a dancer I knew from theatre circles, gave me a copy of The Wit & Wisdom of Quentin Crisp. I've always been drawn to books, so I read it for inspiration. His message of taking pride in who you are spoke to me. It was magic!"
James made himself up to look like the legendary icon. "I put together a 10-minute set, tweaking his words a bit to fit the audience."
During Pride Week 2007, James premiered his now full-length show Tea N Crisp at the Shotgun Players Theatre in Berkeley, where he is a member of the stock company. The show is largely a recreation of An Evening with Quentin Crisp .
"95% of it is his words," explains James. "I transcribe his performances, and take passages from his books and quotes from friends of his. I write a little bit of material to make it timely for a current audience."
Now San Francisco audiences can see James when he brings Tea N Crisp to the SF Playhouse in February. James' show brings the gay icon to life.
"I feel very blessed that he has allowed me to represent him," says James. "I'm giving reference to who he was."
James hopes that fans and friends of Crisp will chat with him at www.QuentinCrisp.info. The UK-based site, brainchild of Nigel Kelly, is attempting to document the life and career of Crisp. The site's message board now has a section devoted to Tea N Crisp.
Tea N Crisp, with Richard Louis James as Quentin Crisp, plays Sundays in February at 2 p.m., SF Playhouse, 533 Sutter St., SF. (415) 677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org
Read the original article.