Royal54-06-2338The Liar

The National Broadcasting Company presents, transcribed Sir Ralph Richardson in Theatre Royal. This is Ralph Richardson. Our play today is based on another story by Henry James, an author for whom I have an infinite admiration.

I've always thought that this was a tale which would dramatize well, and I hope that you would like my choice. Here then is our story by Henry James, but Lyar. I first met him at the house party that stays in the middle of a house for sure. I'd been asked down by Arthur Ashmore so that I could

paint a portal to his father, Sir David. It was quite a gathering of us. Most of the faces were new to me that first evening. I remember singing him out from the very first, the hands some striking figure of a man.

What was odd in him was a certain mixture of the correct and the extravagant. As if he was an adventurer, imitating a gentleman with rare perfection. Oh, that's Colonel Cappadoe. He's been a great deal in India.

Isn't he rather celebrated? Perhaps he isn't. But he says he is. And if you think it, well that's just the same, isn't it? If you think it. I mean if he thinks it's that's just as good I suppose.

Do you mean if he thinks he's done things he hasn't? Oh, don't know because I never really know the difference between what people say and... well he's exceedingly clever and amusing. Quite the cleverest person in the house.

But listen, dear, you're more so. For that I can't tell yet, can I? I only know about the people I know and I think that's limited enough. Enough for them. I see you are, Kepa, enough for me, but I've heard of you, you're well-known artist and I know your pictures.