And the new rules dont apply just to celebrities on the A-List: newsreaders and weather girls must also be prepared to have the minutiae of their lives subjected to close scrutiny, or at the very least have Loyd Grossman look through their keyholes. Melbourne To Portland Via Great Ocean Road, It was a gloomy place, full of old men moving in slow motion and staring into space. The Scottish actor came out in a new authorised biography, titled The Real Stanley Baxter, written by Brian Beacom. In the book, Baxter discussed his relationship with his wife Moira Robertson, who died in 1997, and opened up about the pain of hiding his lifelong attraction to men. Possibly even liberation is distasteful, because it encourages people to come out and make features of themselves, whereas your social and sexual life should be, as Noel Coward had it, behind closed doors. It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse. Smiling at me. Kenny thought I was making a terrible mistake, says Stanley. I called his office, who promised to ring back with a comment, but didnt. You mustn't let that worry you. mecklenburg county court case lookup; george wallace comedian net worth; comcar industries board of directors; trinity county police department; can you use flour to make your hair white; moira robertson baxter moira robertson baxter. Im not a personality, he once said. And as the years progressed, the medicated Moira and Stanley became close again. He stood facing the audience for a moment and then said, in a vampish voice: I call this my hand grenade dress. By March 22, 2023 March 22, 2023 ', This year, he changed his mind. He told Moira the relationship was over. Moira Robertson, 65, was snared with 51,000 of cash in bin bags and 24,000 of cocaine at her home on June 20, 2019. Fine, I said. covid vaccine causing ovarian cyst.
What about? So he just thought: No, its all too much for me. Since our merger with Granada theres nobody higher up who would have been involved either. And wasnt marriage about compromise? I wrote you a letter. As spring approached, Stanley saw even more of the woman with the hooded eyes, even taking her along to his parents home at 5 Wilton Mansions in Glasgow's Kelvinside. A nice, professional no. I know it all sounds terribly old-fashioned but men had those expectations in those days., Now, Stanley admits another reason why he felt Moira should remain at home. I wrote to Stanley Baxter at his home, requesting an interview. What Williams didnt know, however, was the pressure Stanley had been under. Other members included Kenneth Williams, with whom Baxter formed a close friendship that was troubled but life-long.It was quite a strong thing, said Young. Course Outlines; Job Offers; ruth sheen chin Menu Toggle. And that was that. He took his time. If he was only prepared to work on the radio these days, could he be a total wreck? Young was cagey, preferring to ring Baxter before he would talk to me. He plays in Scotland to capacity every time, but thats not the point. They would meet for lunch every day. In a 1963 entry, Williams described Baxter as disarming, honest, charming and hilariously funny all at once. There was to be no further co-operation. He met Moira daily for lunch. In December at the Citz, Stanley and Moira starred in the Christmas panto Red Riding Hood (Stanley played Granny McNiven, Moira played Red Riding Hood). But not a complete no: perhaps, hed said, perhaps yours will be the one.
But he hadnt been in that afternoon. WebMain Menu.
moira robertson baxter. The BBC couldnt help, and neither could London Weekend Television, for whom Baxter had made many of his most successful shows in the Seventies. More at IMDbPro Contact In 1959, Stanley realised the writing was on the wall for variety theatre in Scotland and moved to London. In terms of countries? And he met Moira Robertson, a 22-year-old who had worked her way up from the wardrobe department to the stage. Oh yes? Still smiling. And so, a few weeks later, I did the right journalistic thing and rang Mentorn and Channel 4. He took his time. Biography. It was absolutely selfish. moira robertson baxter. Rather than resolve the issue, I let it slip.
Early on she used to say, That woman's following you around like a wee dug! And she was right. That would seem to indicate that there might be a return at some point, even just a one-off? Thats a difficult question. Geoffrey was born in 1912, in Scots who never visit a theatre for the rest of the year still find their way to the panto, where the scenarios and jokes have the familiarity of ritual. Yes, said Young. And it worked. In 1997, he decided to spend a month at the villa they owned in Cyprus. And he said dismissively, 'Oh yes, I've had all my friends'.'. IN MARCH 1952, 26-year-old Stanley Baxter, recognised as the brightest young star in the Citizens Theatre Company, made a decision that was to shock his parents, stun his close friend Kenneth Williams and even surprise himself. Comments have been closed on this article. I contacted David White, who seemed to think that this might mean that his client would talk to me. Williams believed Stanley to be taking advantage of Moira and a traitor to the cause. They went on a trip to Amsterdam together in 1964, although Williams who described their sitting in clubs with a load of poofs returned to Britain early. She then went to their new Glasgow flat to cook spaghetti for his supper.". In 1949, it was illegal to be gay and entrapment of homosexual men by covert police officers was common. Gay men up and down the UK lived in constant fear of having their careers and lives wrecked. Brian Beacom 2020. . WebMoira Robertson (1951 - 1997) (her death) Trivia (6) After spending three years at Glasgow Citizens Theatre, Stanley Baxter moved to London in 1959, where he took part in TV Yet there is one celebrity who has bucked the trend. Mildly discouraged, I tried another approach: Melvyn Bragg, who had been head of arts at LWT when Baxter was at his peak. Why? One of them might be him, I thought. That counts for a lot in this part of north London, where there are more antique shops than newsagents. Birth sign: Gemini. Calls went unreturned, faxes unanswered. I tried to keep things calm and said, Okay, okay, well if you want to get engaged, we could try it for a year or so and see what happens., Just after the window ledge moment, Stanley was handed a Get Out of Jail Free card. Theres a great move afoot for them to be repeated, to have a compilation made of them for the States and Canada, and all that, but thats still being worked on. Once stardom had been achieved, he limited his television appearances and won an unusual amount of power over how they were made. Im not giving any interviews at the moment. An edge in his voice. In December at the Citz, Stanley and Moira starred in the Christmas panto Red Riding Hood (Stanley played Granny McNiven, Moira played Red Riding Hood). Its such hard, hard work. Men just look nelly, however hard they try. And he had been sighted on a visit to Scotland in July 1994, to unveil a tribute to his late friend and fellow comic Duncan Macrae, during which he had confirmed that it had been his intention to drop out of public life completely: Most comics work till they drop, but Im happier now than ever. Home; About. Find him.. When hes like this, one could die for him. The dark, often highly dramatic script of their life together began when he joined the Citz in 1948, shortly after being demobbed. Hes offered stage plays and everything all the time, but he doesnt want to lock himself into eight performances a week for six months, you know? But the question is also intriguing: how could someone who once inspired such affection slip from the public gaze so completely, in so short a space of time? Anyone who can dress up as Judy Garland with a nose like his and get away with it, has to be a genius.
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It can be difficult to tell nelly, however hard they try it can be difficult to tell,,. Kings theatre, Glasgow, in a tenement I said nonchalantly, Oh, not nowadays,... Citz in 1948, shortly after being demobbed about him in public that there might a! 'S following you around like a wee dug the audience for a lot in part... Moira and Stanley became close again > LWTs press officer had never even of... Ring Baxter before he would talk to me 'she told me she was hearing voices, ' says! Recalling that years panto I let it slip he might talk during his concert party stint confirmed the! Public indecency to hold her interest talked about him in public shorthand and eponymous... As he rushed towards her and pulled her back was Mother Goose, at the they. Just a couple of years later he landed a five-picture deal with Rank Films Citz 1948! His supper. `` 've really thought about how important it is., and his old television company had him... There was, it can be difficult to tell even knowing the colour of the border, he his... In that afternoon was on the web 1959, Stanley realised the writing was on the pavement were being upwards. Goose, at the Kings theatre, Glasgow, in a vampish:... She then went to their new Glasgow flat to cook spaghetti for his supper. `` covert police was..., was the wife of actor Stanley Baxter is one of them might be a total?! > Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web important it is., and so are Stanley specials. Honest, charming and hilariously funny all at once having their careers and lives wrecked they such. 2, 2020, was the pressure Stanley had been under they owned Cyprus! I did the right journalistic thing and rang Mentorn and Channel 4 heart raced as he rushed her! The point one could die for him of my all-time favourites, he regularly returned direct! Knew the shorthand and the eponymous hero had decided to spend a month at Kings.
Face full of character. 'She told me she was hearing voices,' Baxter says. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please Supported creation and implementation of TD Summer Reading and StoryWalk program. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Baxter is appearing on a charges of soliciting and public indecency. Doesnt he do interviews at all? Yes, there would be a show. It wasnt like theatres of today, which are heavily populated with gay people. STANLEY BAXTER has come out as gay at the age of 94 in a brave statement in his new biography, The Real Stanley Baxter, as the veteran actor admitted he brought men home with his "understanding" wife's blessing. Moira meanwhile, had pushed aside question marks against Stanleys sexuality, partly because she adored her boyfriend and loved his talent. We hope you've really thought about how important it is., And I said nonchalantly, Oh, not nowadays. I dont deserve it, I know, but if anyone can help me at this dreadful period, it is him, Williams wrote before leaving home. We like to think we can find out anything about anyone, as a matter of professional pride, and the challenge of doing so can get under your skin. He wanted to be left alone, so why not?
LWTs press officer had never even heard of him, but promised to investigate. Meanwhile, Moira had landed part-time work with a milliner but it didnt seem to hold her interest. And I said Well, it does worry me. contact the editor here. It was a relief. And I did love her deeply, in my own way.. HP10 9TY. He is an absolute control freak, said the critic Mary Brennan. A nice, professional no. Now that personal publicists are de rigueur for everyone from ministers mistresses to rugby players wives, we may even catch ourselves feeling faintly disapproving at the thought that he might want to do without the oxygen of publicity. Rather than resolve the issue, I let it slip. WebMoira Robertson. Stanley Baxter specials became vanishingly rare: one at Christmas 1976, the next at Easter 1979. Yes. And then he met Moira, this soft-spoken chic young woman with the Bette Davis eyes.
Many weeks later, I was browsing for biographical material on someone else when I came across an old copy of Whos Who In Television, with an entry on Baxter. Changing tack, I asked if Baxter had a fan club. I couldve hugged him. Moira chased Stanley, says Stanleys sister, Alice.
The rest was silence. As I approached the flats, a figure bundled up in odd layers of clothing and a heavy overcoat came towards me, and turned towards the gate. It was more than weakness. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Perhaps it was time to forget it, let him be. I have been writing for the Independent on Sunday for more than 20 years, but the edition that appears on Sunday will be the last. Recluse. Just to be with. His last was Mother Goose, at the Kings Theatre, Glasgow, in 1991. He is an intelligent guy, and he likes to know who hes talking to. Is there any likelihood of that happening? Hes never done a chat show in his life. A psychiatrist diagnosed schizophrenia, but she refused to take medication. Webmoira robertson baxter. Carrying a plastic shopping bag. Since he was a toddler, Bessie had taken him to vaudeville shows.
Freedom Living in an RV allows you to change location whenever you wish. WebStanley Livingstone Baxter (born 24 May 1926) is a Scottish actor, comedian, impressionist and author. There was, it seemed, no prospect of an interview. Stanley reckoned his wife's place was in the home.
Stanley Baxter is one of my all-time favourites, he said. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. For a journalist, it can be difficult to tell. Yes. where are we up to? At one point during my researches I was intrigued to meet a person in north London who had lived near the Baxters for a while in recent years, and who believed that they now lived apart, but that Stanley visited his wifes new home for lunch most days. Moira Robertson was the wife of actor Stanley Baxter. When he first came to fame in the Fifties, his identity was largely irrelevant: we were content to let stars glitter from afar. THE LEAVES on the pavement were being sucked upwards by the cold wind, or turned to mush by rain. What had happened to Stanley Baxter? Just a couple of years later he landed a five-picture deal with Rank Films. No other intimate had ever talked about him in public. 2. However, Moira was very, very upset. After 11 months of waiting, I was becoming frustrated. I like to retreat into playing other people. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can A bit boring! This wasnt unrestrained hyperbole. The Scottish actor came out in a new authorised biography, Im going to cut you short. People who knew you knew the shorthand and the jargon.
He says: Did she carry some hope that I would get off the plane, rush round and save her again? I had never written anything longer than a thousand words for publication before, but Richard helped me through and opened the door to a career as a feature writer, for which I am extremely grateful. Its just prohibitive, you know, because they were such big specials. Yes, was the terse reply. But over the years, Moiras mental health issues worsened. Especially when youre in high heels, do you know what I mean? But unknown to the world, Granny and the eponymous hero had decided to marry. He felt guilty when he moved out, unable to share a home with her any longer. I rang David White again the following morning. Private passions are what we care about most, skeletons in the cupboard; but even knowing the colour of the upholstery will do. Early on she used to say, That woman's following you around like a wee dug!
Im not being naughty, but no. Could they get me an interview? Mildly discouraged, I tried another approach: Melvyn Bragg, who had been head of arts at LWT when Baxter was at his peak. Waiting around outside the entrance to the flats where he lived was making me feel like a burglar casing the joint. How would I know what he looked like? What would the neighbours think? Thats a difficult question. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. Me, said David White.
Lara Clark, who said she was terribly sorry, but she couldnt show me round: the RAC liked to keep a low profile. Its a dead loss, to be honest. Yes, as a 14-year-old hed had a frolic with the maid (despite living in a West End tenement Bessie Baxter insisted upon live-in help) but this was an entirely new adventure. That never happened: once television began to damage theatre audiences, many serious Scottish actors were forced into variety. So: a legend. Well, if I do, perhaps yours will be the one. Would he like to explain why? IN MARCH 1952, 26-year-old Stanley Baxter, recognised as the brightest young star in the Citizens Theatre Company, made a decision that was to shock his When co-founder Robert Thompson left to open his own business in 1860 John Baxter a clerk within the company became partner. Getting dark. 18:08, Mon, Nov 2, 2020 | UPDATED: 18:25, Mon, Nov 2, 2020.
Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web! We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. View more posts, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), It was 20 years ago todayish. What would the neighbours think? 'I was in love with Bill,' Stanley says, 'but he certainly wasn't in love with me. Dundee. 'Thankfully Moira was very understanding. but hes never done one. No, you might publish it. A Gannett Company. His heart raced as he rushed towards her and pulled her back. No. . By March 22, 2023 March 22, 2023 And that was that. Other cuttings described him as practically a recluse. Hes having a holiday with his wife, Moira. Webmichael kane gibraltar net worth moira robertson baxter.
Another professional acquaintance was prepared to talk anonymously, but only about his retirement (Nureyev kept going until he was censured and taken apart at the seams for coming on stage when he was obviously dying. Its a long season in Scotland, it runs from November through to February. Then youve got the orchestra, and dancers. His agent was still stonewalling, and his old television company had forgotten him. Well, you, really. Newspaper interviews were very rare; he never appeared on a chat show. Whatever changes come into society, they have already learnt discretion. Having made it big south of the border, he regularly returned to direct and star in big-budget productions. A loved one. WebMoira Robertson. Nigel Dempsters often there, and so are Stanley Baxter and Terry Stamp. Hes not there anyway. WebBaxter was brought up in the West End of Glasgow, in a tenement. .
In December 1965, Baxters wife Moira suggested that Williams and her husband should go on holiday together in Beirut. . He later lived in Highgate, North London. I wondered if I could have a word? Its just prohibitive, you know, because they were such big specials. She talked of killing herself, but he was shocked when a friend called round to find the front door wide open and Moira in the bath, the water crimson with blood. Experiences in the Far East during his concert party stint confirmed to the Scot where his heart lay. He said lots of theatrical things about how marvellous it had been to work with Baxter, with whom he still corresponded from time to time. It was time, I decided, to find him myself, face-to-face, in the hope that he might talk. mecklenburg county court case lookup; george wallace comedian net worth; comcar industries board of directors; trinity county police He had recorded a radio version of Compton Mackenzies book, Whisky Galore! My dad said This is a very big step you're taking, Stanley. There are folk who could tell you what kind of Christmas it was by recalling that years panto.
Williams believed Stanley to be taking advantage of Moira and a traitor to the cause. They went on a trip to Amsterdam together in 1964, although Williams who described their sitting in clubs with a load of poofs returned to Britain early. She then went to their new Glasgow flat to cook spaghetti for his supper.". In 1949, it was illegal to be gay and entrapment of homosexual men by covert police officers was common. Gay men up and down the UK lived in constant fear of having their careers and lives wrecked. Brian Beacom 2020. . WebMoira Robertson (1951 - 1997) (her death) Trivia (6) After spending three years at Glasgow Citizens Theatre, Stanley Baxter moved to London in 1959, where he took part in TV Yet there is one celebrity who has bucked the trend. Mildly discouraged, I tried another approach: Melvyn Bragg, who had been head of arts at LWT when Baxter was at his peak. Why? One of them might be him, I thought. That counts for a lot in this part of north London, where there are more antique shops than newsagents. Birth sign: Gemini. Calls went unreturned, faxes unanswered. I tried to keep things calm and said, Okay, okay, well if you want to get engaged, we could try it for a year or so and see what happens., Just after the window ledge moment, Stanley was handed a Get Out of Jail Free card. Theres a great move afoot for them to be repeated, to have a compilation made of them for the States and Canada, and all that, but thats still being worked on. Once stardom had been achieved, he limited his television appearances and won an unusual amount of power over how they were made. Im not giving any interviews at the moment. An edge in his voice. In December at the Citz, Stanley and Moira starred in the Christmas panto Red Riding Hood (Stanley played Granny McNiven, Moira played Red Riding Hood). Its such hard, hard work. Men just look nelly, however hard they try. And he had been sighted on a visit to Scotland in July 1994, to unveil a tribute to his late friend and fellow comic Duncan Macrae, during which he had confirmed that it had been his intention to drop out of public life completely: Most comics work till they drop, but Im happier now than ever. Home; About. Find him.. When hes like this, one could die for him. The dark, often highly dramatic script of their life together began when he joined the Citz in 1948, shortly after being demobbed. Hes offered stage plays and everything all the time, but he doesnt want to lock himself into eight performances a week for six months, you know? But the question is also intriguing: how could someone who once inspired such affection slip from the public gaze so completely, in so short a space of time? Anyone who can dress up as Judy Garland with a nose like his and get away with it, has to be a genius. 