Two Halves of Guinness at the Museum

Anyone less than 50 (and many people older) will have seen Star Wars. As well as seeing the movies, most of us will have collected the toys, models and other merchandise which went along with the film’s success.

Trevor Littledale by remyhunterphotography.co.uk

One of the film’s main protagonists (the donor/mentor according to Todorov and Propp) was Obi Wan Kenobi, a mystical wizard cum knight tutor played by famed British character actor Alec Guinness. Despite having worked on stage and in film for decades, Guinness was famously worried that his part in Star Wars would be his defining role, leaving his portrayal of the entire D’Ascoyne family in Kind Hearts and Coronets, of Sidney Stratton in The Man in the White Suit, and even his playing of Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai, for which he won an academy award, forgotten. According to Guinness’ son Matthew, when Sir Alec met a child fan who said he had seen the Star Wars ‘a hundred times’ he said to the young chap “Well, do you think you could promise never to watch it again?”

The one man play Two Halves of Guinness, performed by Trevor Littledale, finds us meeting Guinness in a cosy bar as he faces crippling insecurity after taking part in the creation of the Sci-Fi epic. Not only does it inspect the actor’s personal anxieties, it also looks at the relationship he had with other British acting luminaries such as Olivier and Coward, his conversion to Catholicism, his upbringing, the war, and the premonitions he often had, leading to the warning he gave James Dean on the night before his fatal car accident.

Littledale characterises Guinness perfectly, using miniscule body movements and changes in expression and voice to become another character within the monologue. The ‘two halves’ of the title refers to the two distinct sides of Guinness’ personality; the dark, anxious, insecure side brought about by being born illegitimate to an alcoholic mother and never really knowing who his father was, being taken constantly from digs to boarding houses while he was growing up, adding to his sense of vulnerability. The other half, the lighter side, looks at his life as an entertainer. How, once he’d decided to become an actor, he simply looked up John Gielgud in the directory and phoned him to ask for acting lessons. Gielgud was unable to oblige personally, but the two became firm friends.

The play is being performed in Brighton Toy and Model Museum, a space which lends itself well to the performance as Trevor feels that the proximity of the audience to the actor adds vital intimacy to the play as it unfolds.

For booking information and to buy tickets for the show when it is staged in October, simply follow the link to Eventbrite

Blog by Dan Cash, opinions are author's own.

More news on the entertainments lined up for the Brighton Toy and Model Museum Steampunk Soiree.

As you’re no doubt aware, we’ve had Adriano Fettuccini booked for our steam punk event for a few weeks and we’re looking forward to that very much, but we’re also able to announce more attractions for your edification and delight.

Music and Poetry

First of all, we can now confirm that we have Rohan K on the bill, adding to the musical component. Rohan is a writer, composer, poet and violinist.

Further to the entertainments, we also have a stall which will be supplied and manned by Belle Epic. Belle Epic are a vintage costumer, collector and restorer of vintage and antique apparel. Their finest wares will be on display and for sale, fitting with the Steampunk theme.

Costume and Competition

And did we mention hats? Love hats. I was thinking of becoming a milliner when I was at college. So it’s with a great deal of anticipation that we’re also able to introduce the good people of The Yellow Book who will be bringing a range of hats and headgear for you to try on. Because you’re not properly dressed without a hat. It’s probably a moot point, but being a steampunk soiree, most attendees will want to come in full, appropriate dress. However, this isn’t absolutely necessary. It’s not just for those who live a steampunk life, it’s also for those who love the ethic, the aesthetic and those who love people who live steampunk.

And I know how shy and retiring Steampunk devotees are, so it’s necessary to warn you that a photographer will be in attendance making images of the finest dressed.

Now, onto the most important aspects of the evening; the much vaunted and highly charged excitement that is surrounding the tea duelling. Tiffin Masters and Mistresses from all over the country have been approached. However, as the saying goes, many are called, yet few are chosen. So we plumped for whoever was available. The tea duel will be open to all, unless you a) don’t like tea, b) you don’t like Malted Milk, or c) you think such things are silly. We anticipate the calibre of the combatants will be very high, with duellists having gone away to dojos to refine and hone their duelling skills. I for one went and had a cuppa and a biccy with my nan, because she knows many of the most ancient arts. She’s 89 after all.

Book your tickets to the Steampunk Soiree online through our Facebook Events page, on Eventbrite or call in at the museum. We’re on Trafalgar Street, directly under Brighton Train Station.

Doors open at 7pm, 28th October 2017. Admission is £5.00 Call 01273 749494 for more details.