Gielgud Award articles

January 17, 2000

Branagh Collects a Gielgud Honour at a Feelgood Event
Evening Standard, by Robin Stringer

It was "an overwhelming evening" for Kenneth Branagh when he received the Shakespeare Guild's Gielgud Award for introducing Shakespeare to a new generation.

The 38-year-old actor, director and producer sat in Middle Temple Hall, where Shakespeare is believed to have appeared in Twelfth Night, last night to hear warm tributes from stars including Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Sir Derek Jacobi and Sinead Cusack.

Even Helena Bonham Carter, from whom he recently split, went on stage to show they are still, to borrow his words, best pals.

"Having known Ken quite well, I can safely say he is one of the more extraordinary people of this world," she said.

Billy Crystal sent the message: "Kenneth has been to Shakespeare what Viagra has to me", while Robert De Niro felt Branagh might have beenhonoured a few years earlier had he let him play Beatrice - "not that Emma was not competent", he added. Surprisingly, perhaps, his former wife Emma Thompson did not figure in the proceedings. It is understood the organisers felt it would be inappropriate to ask her.

Other congratulatory messages came from Hollywood directors like Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman and Woody Allen and from actors like Ralph Fiennes, Joan Collins, Julie Christie, Kevin Kline and Robin Williams.

On stage there was Ben Elton with a "Shakespeare is a boring old git" routine and from John Sessions with "to be or not to be" in the style of Al Pacino. Richard Briers thanked Branagh for turning him from a well-known comedy actor into a classical one. "My income dropped 65 per cent but my family respects me," he said.

The award was presented by Dame Judi Dench, last year's recipient. She praised Branagh's sense of humour and stoicism. "I have to say that he is among a handful of people to whom, if they asked me to play a part without knowing what it was, I would say yes," she said.

Branagh said he was "uniquely blessed" and overwhelmed by "this medieval version of This Is Your Life".

He reserved special thanks for William Shakespeare "without whose inspiration I would not have had a career at all".

The West End and Hollywood united in London last night to honour Kenneth Branagh as the "greatest Shakespearean of our day". Even Bill Clinton sent his ambassador to pay homage at the court of King Ken.

His most recent ex, the actress, Helena Bonham Carter, was also there, though his former wife, Emma Thompson - from whom he had a "frightfully civilised divorce" - stayed away.

She was the only notable absentee in a star-studded gathering at the Middle Temple Hall. Bob Hoskins, Stephen Fry, Ben Elton, John Sessions and Richard Briers took part in a revel dedicated to the Branagh and the Bard before Dame Judi Dench, last year's winner of the Gielgud award, handed on the "Golden Quill".

Belfast-born Branagh, who has yet to reach 40, is the youngest ever recipient of the award presented by the US-based Shakespeare Guild. "Through his remarkable films, Kenneth Branagh has introduced the works of Shakespeare to a new generation of audiences," the guild's founder, John F Andrews, said.

Branagh has been credited with bringing Shakespeare to Hollywood, if not quite to the masses, with his films of Henry V, Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing. His success in persuading the likes of Keanu Reeves and Denzel Washington to don doublets paved the way for Buz Luhrman's cult Romeo + Juliet and the box office smash, Shakespeare In Love. His Renaissance company was at the forefront of the Shakespeare revival in the 1980s.

Derek Jacobi said that the man filled him with awe and admiration. Helena Bonham Carter called him "one of the more extraordinary people in this world". Ben Elton declared that Shakespeare owed him a debt.

Those were some of the less extravagant compliments ladled out in Middle Temple Hall last night. Who was the Renaissance man receiving this praise? Well, at least it was someone who founded a theatre company called Renaissance.

It was Kenneth Branagh, a famously nice man, a thoroughly decent actor, a gifted director of plays and films, an energetic producer, but not yet quite the blend of Galileo and John Cleese that nearly two hours of adulation seemed to suggest.

Branagh was receiving the John Gielgud Golden Quill Award, an enormous gilded pen sticking out of an enormous black blot, given by America's Shakespeare Guild to an outstanding interpreter of the Bard. Usually, the presentation is made on the other side of the pond, but this year transposed to Shakespeare's homeland. Branagh was the winner because his films of Henry V, Hamlet and Much Ado have, in the programme's words, "revived the sagging fortunes of a 435-year-old has-been and transformed him into today's hottest screenwriter".

Trumpets sounded. Elizabethan tunes were played. The American Ambassador declared that the Clintons would have liked to be there. And on came thespian after thespian who had worked with Branagh: Jacobi and Richard Briers, Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. What, one began to wonder, was Branagh thinking? Did he blush when Joan Collins told him via letter that he was "the butchest director I ever worked with". Or stop breathing to hear that Robin Williams wished him "a warm hand on your quill".

I suspect, or at least hope, that Branagh appreciated it when Briers, who played Lear for him, wryly complained of being turned from "a much-loved comedy actor" into "a highly respected classical actor" with two-thirds less income. Branagh received his vast quill from Dame Judi with becoming grace and modesty, recalling the words of an eminent teacher at RADA when confronted with his adolescent Hamlet: "No, no, no, no, no, no, you have got absolutely no sense of the man whatever - funny, though, funny."

British actor Kenneth Branagh admitted he was overwhelmed Monday after becoming the youngest person to win the prestigious Gielgud Award for his services to the Shakespearean tradition.

Branagh was presented with the award, known as the Golden Quill, at a ceremony at London's Middle Temple Hall at the weekend by last year's winner, actress Dame Judi Dench.

Stars including Bob Hoskins, Stephen Fry and Ben Elton joined in a tribute to Branagh, while Tom Cruise, Martin Scorsese and Sir John Gielgud himself were among those who sent messages of congratulation.

``It was a very, very special evening and I'm a bit overdone,'' Branagh told BBC radio Monday. ``It was an absolutely tremendous night.''

Branagh, who played the youngest Henry V in the Royal Shakespeare Company's history when he was just 23, also paid tribute to the playwright whose work he continues to interpret.

``He (Shakespeare) continues to give actors extraordinary opportunities and to give audiences amazing stories,'' he said. ''He seems to have a unique insight into the human condition.''

Branagh's latest Shakespeare adaptation -- a musical version of Love's Labors Lost set in the 1930s and featuring Hollywood star Alicia Silverstone -- is set to be released in March.

``Part of the glory of Shakespeare is his immense flexibility,'' Branagh said. ``Treatments can be set in any century and still be resonant with meaning.''

Former recipients of the Gielgud Award include Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi.

Theatrical all-rounder Kenneth Branagh will this weekend be the youngest person honoured for keeping the Shakespearean tradition alive.

The 39-year-old actor, director and writer will be given the Gielgud Award by the Shakespeare Guild at an event in London on Sunday.

To mark the occasion a company of stars, including Bob Hoskins, Geraldine McEwan, Richard Briers and Sir Derek Jacobi, will perform following a reception to honour his success.

Branagh's former partner Helena Bonham Carter - from whom he split last year - is also taking part in the event at the historic Middle Temple Hall.

Past recipients of the award, known as the Golden Quill, have included Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Derek Jacobi and Dame Judi Dench. It is given to artists who are extending and enhancing Shakespeare's legacy.

Guild founder John Andrews said: "Through his remarkable films, Kenneth Branagh has introduced the works of Shakespeare to a new generation of audiences.

"In the process Mr Branagh has revived the sagging fortunes of a 435-year-old has-been and turned him into today's hottest screen property."

It will be the first time the Washington DC-based Guild has presented the award in the UK.

Branagh's latest Shakespeare adaptation, Love's Labours Lost, which turns the play into a musical set in the 1930s featuring Clueless star Alicia Silverstone, opens in March.

Actor and director Kenneth Branagh has become the youngest recipient of the Gielgud Award in recognition of his theatrical achievements.

He was presented with the accolade by last year's winner, Dame Judi Dench, at a ceremony in London's Middle Temple Hall.

It was the first time the Washington DC-based Shakespeare Guild had presented the award in the UK.

In his acceptance speech, Branagh, who was born in Northern Ireland, said: "I've had a professional life of such supernatural good fortune, but I'm delighted to be here and deeply honoured."

A company of fellow actors, including Geraldine McEwan, Bob Hoskins, Richard Briers, Ben Elton and Stephen Fry paid tribute to Branagh, 39, in front of a 450-strong audience.

And the American ambassador, Philip Lader, brought a message of greeting from the White House.

'Prodigious talent'

Other stars who sent messages included Robin Williams, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Joan Collins, John Cleese, Kevin Kline, Richard Attenborough, Billy Crystal and Martin Scorsese.

Sir John Gielgud also sent a message of congratulation, describing Branagh as a "prodigious talent".

Past recipients of the award, known as the Golden Quill, which is given for extending and enhancing Shakespeare's legacy, have included Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi.

Branagh's latest Shakespeare adaptation, Love's Labours Lost, which turns the play into a musical set in the 1930s featuring Clueless star Alicia Silverstone, opens in March.

Kenneth Branagh is a prodigy.

The British actor was the youngest person to win the Gielgud Award for service to the Shakespearean tradition, Reuters reports.

Branagh, who has starred and directed several film versions of Shakespearean plays, was presented the Golden Quill award in London by Dam Judi Dench ("Shakespeare in Love") on the weekend. Dench won the award last year.

Bob Hoskins, Stephen Fry and Ben Elton attended the awards ceremony while Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise, Martin Scorsese and Sir John Gielgud sent congratulation messages to Branagh.

"It was a very, very special evening and I'm a bit overdone," he told BBC radio. "It was an absolutely tremendous night."

Branagh has been interpreting the Bard's works for years. At 23 he was the youngest actor to play Henry V in the Royal Shakespeare Company. Branagh starred and directed a film version of "Henry V" in 1989 that also starred his ex-wife Emma Thompson.

His film credits also include "Hamlet," "Othello," and "Much Ado About Nothing".

Branagh's latest Shakespearean project is a musical version of "Love's Labours Lost". It stars Alicia Silverstone of "Clueless" fame.

Shakesperian luvvie Kenneth Branagh has become the youngest recipient of the prestigious Gielgud Award. The star was presented with the American award by last year's winner, Dame Judi Dench at a ceremony in London's historic Middle Temple Hall. The award, known as the Golden Quill, is awarded for enhancing Shakespeare's leagacy with Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi amog the past recipients.

Branagh said in a speech to a glittering collection of stars: "I've had a professional life of such supernatural good fortune but I'm delighted to be here and deeply honoured." An array of actors paid tribute to the 39-year-old actor-dircetor, including Geraldine McEwan, Bob Hoskins, Richard Briers, Ben Elton and Stephen Fry. Fry described the recipient as "a glass of Evian in a desert" and "the funniest man I know". And the American ambassador, Philip Lader, brought a message of greeting from the White House.

Other stars who sent messages included Robin Williams, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Joan Collins, John Cleese, Kevin Kline, Richard Attenborough, Billy Crystal and Martin Scorsese. Sir John Gielgud also sent a message of congratulation, describing Branagh as a "prodigious talent".

Britain's "new Shakespearians", keeping the playwright's flame burning 384 years after his death, met last night to see Kenneth Branagh honoured for his dedication to the Bard.

The actor-director was given the prestigious annual Gielgud Award by the Shakespeare Guild, an American foundation. The award, a silver quill, was presented to him by last year's recipient, Dame Judi Dench, who also won an Oscar last year for playing Queen Elizabeth I in the film Shakespeare in Love.

The foundation praised Branagh, 39, for introducing young people to Shakespeare. He has made three acclaimed screen versions of Shakespeare plays - Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet.

In March, he will release Love's Labours Lost. In the high-octane production, set in the Thirties, Branagh juxtaposes Shakespeare with songs from American musicals and Busby Berkeley dance spectaculars. Branagh has also announced plans for films of Macbeth and As You Like It.

When he made Hamlet, in which he played the Prince, he insisted that not one word should be cut. The film was four hours long, though his studio also put out a shorter version to be shown on aircraft.

At last night's ceremony in London, actors and comics including Sir Derek Jacobi, a past winner of the same award, Stephen Fry, Bob Hoskins, Ben Elton and Geraldine McEwan, performed a Shakespeare revel with readings, music and sketches. Branagh's former lover, Helena Bonham Carter, from whom he split last year, also took part.

John Andrews, president of the Shakespeare Guild, said: "Through his remarkable films, Kenneth Branagh has introduced the works of Shakespeare to a new generation of audiences. In the process he has revived the sagging fortunes of a 435-year-old has-been and turned him into today's hottest screenwriter."

Everyone's favourite luvvie, Kenneth Branagh, received the Gielgud Award at a ceremony in London on Sunday evening.

The presentation, made by the US-based Shakespeare Guild, was in recognition of the 39-year-old's numerous theatrical achievements.

A group of fellow actors, including Bob Hoskins, Richard Briers, Stephen Fry and Ben Elton, paid tribute to the writer/director/actor, with Elton thanking him for "simultaneously creating and destroying my acting career" by casting him in 'Much Ado About Nothing'.

Branagh has been credited with the renaissance of Shakespeare on film, although he downplays his involvement.

"I don't think it had anything to do with me because he's been hip for 400 years," he said after the ceremony, "but with the wave of new Shakespeare films over the last ten years I think people have been discovering how much fun the stories can be and actors are loving playing the parts."

Branagh's next Shakespearean venture, a musical version of 'Love's Labours Lost', opens in the UK on March 24.

Actor-director Kenneth Branagh will tonight become the youngest recipient of the prestigious Gielgud Award in recognition of his theatrical achievements.

Branagh was born in Belfast in 1960 and moved to Reading, Berkshire, when he was nine.

He comes from a working class background and today he is an Establishment-baiter.

But he has been known for much of his career as an Establishment archetype who has counted the Prince of Wales as one of his chums.

He directed and starred in the films Henry V and Much Ado about Nothing, which took more than £500,00 at the box office in its first week of opening in Britain.

Branagh also directed In the Bleak Midwinter and has staged several Shakespeare plays.

Recent roles include a starring role in Woody Allen's movie, Celebrity, which also features Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.

In August last year he played villain Dr Arliss Loveless in Wild Wild West.

Branagh was nominated for an Oscar for Henry V in 1989.

Branagh loves football as much as acting - he has been a Spurs supporter since his childhood in Belfast.

Branagh's five-year relationship with fellow thespian and Fight Club star Helena Bonham Carter ended in September last year.

Branagh and Ms Bonham Carter became close when they worked together on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

During the filming of Frankenstein, Branagh was still married to actress Emma Thompson.

The celebrity couple divorced in 1995 after six years of marriage and Thompson had her first child this year with the actor Greg Wise.

Actor-director Kenneth Branagh will tonight become the youngest recipient of the prestigious Gielgud Award in recognition of his theatrical achievements.

The 39-year-old star will be presented with the accolade by its most recent recipient, Dame Judi Dench, at a ceremony in London's historic Middle Temple Hall.

Following a reception, a company of fellow actors, including Bob Hoskins, Geraldine McEwan, Richard Briers, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry and Sir Derek Jacobi, will perform in his honour.

Branagh's former partner, Helena Bonham Carter - from whom he split last year - is also expected to take part in the show, devised by the event's organisers, the Shakespeare Guild.

Past recipients of the award, known as the Golden Quill, which is given to those shown to be extending and enhancing Shakespeare's legacy, have included Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi.

Guild founder John Andrews said: "Through his remarkable films, Kenneth Branagh has introduced the works of Shakespeare to a new generation of audiences.

"In the process Mr Branagh has revived the sagging fortunes of a 435-year-old has-been and turned him into today's hottest screen property."

It will be the first time the Washington DC-based Guild has presented the award in the UK.

Branagh's latest Shakespeare adaptation, Love's Labours Lost, which turns the play into a musical set in the 1930s featuring Clueless star Alicia Silverstone, opens in March.

Actor-director Kenneth Branagh tonight became the youngest recipient of the prestigious Gielgud Award in recognition of his theatrical achievements.

The star was presented with the accolade by last year's winner, Dame Judi Dench, at a ceremony in London's historic Middle Temple Hall.

Branagh said in a speech to a glittering collection of stars: "I've had a professional life of such supernatural good fortune but I'm delighted to be here and deeply honoured."

Branagh's former partner, Helena Bonham Carter - from whom he split last year - also took part in the show, devised by the event's organisers, the Shakespeare Guild.

A company of fellow actors, including Geraldine McEwan, Bob Hoskins, Richard Briers, Ben Elton and Stephen Fry paid tribute to Branagh, 39, in front of a 450-strong audience.

And the American ambassador, Philip Lader, brought a message of greeting from the White House.

Other stars who sent messages included Robin Williams, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Joan Collins, John Cleese, Kevin Kline, Richard Attenborough, Billy Crystal and Martin Scorsese.

Sir John Gielgud also sent a message of congratulation, describing Branagh as a "prodigious talent".

Fry described the recipient as "a glass of Evian in a desert" and "the funniest man I know".

Past recipients of the award, known as the Golden Quill, which is given for extending and enhancing the Bard's legacy, have included Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi.

It was the first time the Washington DC-based Guild had presented the award in the UK.

Branagh's latest Shakespeare adaptation, Love's Labours Lost, which turns the play into a musical set in the 1930s featuring Clueless star Alicia Silverstone, opens in March.

Actor-director Kenneth Branagh has become the youngest recipient of the prestigious Gielgud Award in recognition of his theatrical achievements.

The 39-year-old star was presented with the accolade by its most recent recipient, Dame Judi Dench, at a ceremony in London's historic Middle Temple Hall.

John Andrews, founder of the Washington-based Shakespeare Guild, the event's organisers, said: "Through his remarkable films, Kenneth Branagh has introduced the works of Shakespeare to a new generation of audiences. In the process he has revived the sagging fortunes of a 435-year-old has-been and turned him into today's hottest screen property."

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