Diana Rigg sings Sondheim
mainThe Avengers star died today, aged 82.
She sang. Who knew?
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“Sing” may be too strong a word for it, but she was certainly capable of selling a number, though this may not be the best example. I saw her 30-some years ago as Phyllis in the first London production of Follies and still have a vivid memory of her “Could I Leave You?” (Don’t bother with the bootleg version on YouTube, which doesn’t come close to capturing how riveting it was.) Anyway, RIP to one of the heroes of my youth.
I had the “original London cast” recording with her on it. Never heard that song sung (or rather, performed) so well.
“The Avengers”, great moments in my life. Good bye Emma.
She was the first big star I saw on the London stage when I was a student, in Heloise and Abelard.
She seems to have populated my life, from Emma Peel when I was a schoolgirl right through to only last night, when I was delighted to see her in what I knew would be a recurring role in the new All Creatures Great and Small. An amazing, enigmatic role in The Hospital, with George C. Scott, In This House of Brede, Mrs. Danvers, as host of Masterpiece Mystery, Mrs. Bradley. I went on a Bond jag last year, having only seen a few in schooldays, so saw her as the short-lived Mrs. Bond. Best of all, I think, a phenomenal mini-series called Mother Love, which I saw years ago but which has disappeared from view. She was luminous in youth and elegant in age.
The first of the great acting Dames of nowadays to go. And, like the trouper she was always known to be, working to the last, so there is more of her work to come. This is one actress I will not forget.
Yes Mother love was fab made in late 80s why can’t they show that and did a great murder in mind episode.
And let’s not forget Lady Dedlock in Bleak House. I wish I had seen her Hedda Gabler on the stage.
‘Mother Love’ was phenomenal. Perhaps there will be a rerun as a tribute.
I recall she came to America in the late 60’s to star in a TV series playing an independent single career woman. She was ahead of the times and it was quickly canceled. From the Avengers until her turn in Game of Thrones she was invariably interesting, riveting and a joy to watch.
Game of Thrones is appalling rubbish. Emma Peel far better.
But this isn’t about GoT, it’s about Diana Rigg – and although I never even saw an entire episode, I have to say that her final scene (which was widely posted on social media) was absolutely delicious. I’ve watched it repeatedly. It’s an acting tour de force.
From the movie “a little night music” where another non singer Elizabeth Taylor sang “ send in the clowns” great casting by Hal Prince and Sondheim
As a young medical student at Barts, I recall with pleasure watching her as “Queen of Sin” in the Avengers episode a touch of Brimstone! It was banned in the US I believe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WQsCJRdVHA
She was a fine actress and for me, an entree into all things British. I looked forward to The Avengers each week and the goings on Mrs. Peel and Mr. Steed had to contend with. May she Rest in Peace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKyOSuMyIpY
When other lads of my generation had the Farrah Fawcett poster on their wall, I had Emma Peel…. the most beautiful woman on television.
Farewell, dear, dear Diana….
Not only did Rigg sing Sondheim, she played word games with him, he acknowledges she was hard to keep up with. She did the same with Paddy Chayefsky on the set of The Hospital when star George C. Scott would go missing, Rigg giving the author grief when he pulled out his Yiddish vocabulary on their Scrabble board.
I knew. I watched this earlier tonight – always loved the way she growls “whores.” She will always be Medea to me. That was unforgettable.
In the sixth form, we had a theatre trip to Stratford and I got her autograph on a beer mat.
She was playing Cordelia that season.
However, as a teenager, it was her getting into a Mini Moke – smiling and laughing – that made the biggest impression. The epitome of sixties glamour.
She was a truly wonderful actress and very wisely kept her feet firmly on the theatre stage.
Of her singing voice, the pathos in the lyrics comes across beautifully and every word is heard. Many of Sondheim’s songs are song/speak and need such perfect diction.
Mother Love was a sinister series and horror at its most subtle. Maybe now it will be shown again.
A great actress from the golden age of theatre.
Diana Rigg spoke about the energy she put into becoming a disciplined musical performer during that run of ‘ Follies.’ She may not have been a singer as such , but there is a musical feel to the way she delivers words and notes here. She was such a character among the acting fraternity and she will be missed by colleagues and fans alike.
In ‘Evil Under the Sun’ (Agatha Christie/Poirot) she sang “You’re the top”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLhG3IY5wxs
I saw her play Phyllis in Follies in 1987 at the Shaftsbury Theatre in London. Her performance was stunning.
Thankfully l have her complete Avenger series on dvd. She was wonderful. www
Diana Rigg; My favorite actress of all time from the The Avengers in the 1960s – A night in Soho in 2021. She took on a wide variety of roles and succeeded at nearly of them. She is missed by her fans and casual observers. Mrs Peel, you’re always needed.