Ian Richardson - 7 April, 1934 - 9 February, 2007

photo (c) Sam Farr/Bath Chronicle

It is three years today since Ian's sudden passing. He is greatly missed by all those who came to know and appreciate him as a truly great, consumate and inventive actor and a warm, humorous and generous-hearted man.

Many of his great performances can still be watched and he will remain in our hearts and memories.

Evelyn - Play with Ian, on Radio 7, Mon 8 Feb

There are a series of plays by the late writer, Rhys Adrian, this coming week on Radio 7.

One of the plays, Evelyn , stars Ian and Pauline Collins. By a strange coincidence, the play being broadcast the next day, Tuesday 9 February - the 3rd Anniversary of Ian's untimely passing - is called Passing Through.


Ian starred in the tv version of Passing Through in 1982, with Lee Montague and Rosalie Crutchley. The director was Desmond Davis, who also directed Ian as Sherlock Holmes, in The Sign of Four , in 1983.

Evelyn is being broadcast at 11.15am on Monday, and repeated at 9.15pm on Monday and 2.15am on Tuesday, but doesn't appear to be available on BBCi Player, unfortunately.

A great British programme available on DVD - but only in Canada

I was absolutely delighted to learn that the 1984 series, Six Centuries of Verse
is coming out on DVD in April - only to learn that it is being released in Canada.

VideoCanada.CA - Acorn Media

You would think that a series made in the UK and starring John Gielgud, Ian Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft and Julian Glover, amongst others, would be brought out on DVD in the UK. But alas, like many other British-made programmes it is not the case.

I contacted Acorn Media to ask if they would be releasing it on DVD in the UK and was told that there are no plans to do so. I guess I'll have to start saving.

In the meantime, here are a couple of reminders of this wonderful feast of recitation.