I was once mistaken for Stephen Fry by a group of excited British schoolchildren. It was midwinter in Austria and it has to be said I was muffled suitably against the inclement weather thus, fortunately, little of my face was visible. [note to myself - see a dermatologist]. Let it be understood, I have been trying by all means possible to make the image smaller and less conspicuously grotesque.My companion - with spectacular presence of mind - walked over to the adolescent squeakers and gawpers on the other side of the street and entreated them to 'leave him alone, he's here for a bit of peace and quiet' which they were courteous enough to do. I only mention this because I happened to pick up a copy of his latest book - 'The Fry Chronicles' and am two-thirds of the way through it. In times past, people have been kind (or misguided) enough to apportion the sobriquet of 'wordsmith' to my lumbering efforts. If so, I am a blacksmith to Stephen's filigree jeweller. The man uses words as if they were liquid, dripping and coruscating honey on to the page. Comes from three wasted years at Cambridge and a degree in Eng Lit, I suppose.
I'm reminded of Dante's "Inferno" where the ninth and final circle of hell is reserved for the treacherous. Together with Judas in this region of hell are others who, by betraying their masters or benefactors, committed crimes with great historical and societal consequences. Completely encased in ice - like "straw in glass" - the shades are locked in various antagonistic postures with no mobility or sound and, it would appear, can only gnaw and gibber wordlessly at each other. Dante's use of irony is never used better. The greatest punishment would seem to be the inability to express an opinion. Stephen expresses his with considerable deftness here. Again, worth a look, repetition notwithstanding. Anne Widdecombe's strangled tones and unfortunate physiognomy were a source of great material for the satirists of the '90's. Fry and Laurie were the archetypal comedy duo of the late '80's before the angrier and (in my opinion) less talented Rik Mayall and Ben Elton seized the mantle. As a matter of interest, I saw Fry in his final appearance in "Cell Mates" with Mayall before he disappeared with a nervous breakdown and the show closed because nobody could find him. Is it he, or I that reminds you of Quasimodo? Don't respond, but if you must, do so with charity.
I'm sorry - if it weren't for the interesting graphics in that video, I'd have stopped listening after about three words. That woman's voice! Cringe.
ReplyDeleteThe video bit of Stephen Fry (I can certainly see the resemblance. Yes. Indeed. [nod, nod]...gecks) was right next to a clip with Hugh Laurie. That led me to a clip of Hugh doing the blues. Well. That led me to iTunes and a whole album of great blues, which received on average 5 stars from pleased purchasers. The very first review I read said, "Support your favorite athiest."
@DM...See addenda to post.
ReplyDeleteHugh Laurie, it would seem, could sing, dance and play almost anything. He is an Old Etonian (think both our lawyerly friends)also a rowing half-Blue and just missed the Olympics. He got a Third in Archaeology and Anthropology by dint of having attended one lecture during his University career. Talent, or what...
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