Royal53-10-1803The Tale

Now transcribe Theatre Royal. The National Broadcasting Company presents Sir Lawrence Olivier, your host in Theatre Royal. This is Lawrence Olivier. In a few weeks' time, when the new stage plane, which I'm appearing with my wife, comes to London's West End,

I shall have the pleasure of appearing each week in a different play on this program. But until then, I'm very happy to have the opportunity of introducing as my guests some of my own friends from the theatre.

Today's guest is an exceptionally good companion of mine, and we have had many very happy associations together on the stage. You may perhaps recall our visit to the United States some years ago with the Old Vic Theatre Company.

I'm speaking, of course, of Ralph Richardson. Ralph has chosen for you a dramatization of a story by Joseph Convey. It is, in my opinion, one of the best he ever wrote, and I think you will enjoy it.

It has perhaps the simplest title of any story I know. Here then is Ralph Richardson, and Joseph Conrad's story of the First World War, the tale. Outside the large single window of a late evening light was dying out slowly.

In the long room the irresistible tide of the light had run into those distant parts of it with a whispering of our voices. She was interrupted and passionately renewed, and died away with the dying light.

Now I could see only the faint oval of her upturned face, the pale inability of her hands against the dark of her death. All we love each other, little hope in that love. At last, she turned her head away.

Please, we can only hurt ourselves going on like this, you know that. Why darling? Tell me something. What about it, tell me? Why not tell me a tale? A tale? Yes, why not? Why not?