Keeping Pace

BY DUNCAN CRAWFORD, LONDON, ENGLAND
After reading the many wonderful memories of Tony, I started to gaze out the window at work and recollect the first time seeing Tony, with Simon my best friend at School.(I was, of course, about 14 at the time, and as I'm approaching 40, well I'm 39 and a half now, makes it a few years back)

Anyway, There was Tony with what only I can describe as one of those 70's Afghan coats on, walking around the grounds of the school followed by Simon, briskly walking behind. It was a great art keeping pace with Tony, and only in the last few years have I managed to walk at his stride. He was one of the very cool Dad's at School, unlike my Dad who wore anything that was brown and tweed, and I often wanted my Dad to be a bit more of a snappy dresser like Tony, but as far as my Dad's trend went was jeans that were pressed.

I then remember meeting Tony again when he was down in Bristol at the Old Vic, after I left school in 1983 and as he often used to direct at the theatre or see Linda in performances. (in the Days of Fred Karno's Army) I would go down to see him and Rodney West the Front of House Manager, who would sneak me in to see the play's often with Simon, who would come down especially to see them too.

I remember that he was featured in the Old Vic magazine and when I saw him at Simon's birthday dinner I showed him, which made him blush, he was never one to take centre stage, (not that I knew) but delighted to see others, and was the kind of man that lit up when you came in the room, only too pleased to see you.

Simon and I then, when Tony was working at Cornell University went to visit in October 1987, and I loved the big breakfasts and the walks that we had in between Tony's very busy teaching schedules. I loved the countryside and thought the campus was beautiful. We sat in on a few of his acting classes at the back, and I felt really privileged to see him work (the only occasion that I did)

In recent years since Tony returned from America, we occasionally would meet up for a drink in Soho, combining it with a theatre performance or just a glass of wine. Tony loved his wine, and still does, or so Simon says.

I have more memories, like each of us does, and over the next few months I'll attempt to write them, without going off on a tangent.

Big hugz to you Tony