As part of her estate’s treasure trove, letters from top showbusiness stars were found that described their worst reviews.
In response to Julie Christie’s requests to have lines taken from some of their best reviews, Ronnie Barker and Ian McKellen sent the original letters to Julie Christie.
These letters will be sold by the estate of Diana, who passed away last year at the age of 82, as part of an archive that includes scripts, photographs and awards, documents, scripts, jewellery, and other material.
The Avengers actress was working on a book that would cover the worst theatrical reviews of all time. She reached out to celebrity friends and asked for their help.
Ronnie Barker, comedy icon and comedian extraordinaire, wrote one of the best letters. It was a review about his debut as a thespian at the Oxford Playhouse.
The Oxford Times review described The Cherry Orchard’s 22-year-old appearance as “the most monumental piece in mis-casting.” They added, “Never had anyone been at sea so much since Columbus.”
A collection of letters from showbusiness legends, including the late Diana Rigg to document the time they were criticised by the media has been found
On the TV Series The Avengers, Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg are Emma Peel (John Steed) The Avengers’ star, Diana Rigg, was working on a book about the “worst theatrical reviews” and sought out help from her celebrity circle.
Ronnie Barker (comedian legend) was one of the most notable letters. He recalled his review of his debut as an Oxford Playhouse thespian. The Oxford Times’ review called Barker’s 22-year old appearance in The Cherry Orchard ‘the greatest piece of miscasting’. They added, “Never had anyone been at sea so much since Columbus.”
An Emmy nomination plaque and a Tony Awards nomination Certificate for My Fair Lady (2018), an Emmy nomination certificate to Game of Thrones (2013), and an Emmy award nomination certificate in The Avengers 1967 for Diana Rigg
The auction will include stills of Diana Rigg from the 1960 hit The Avengers.
Cleese, a Monty Python comedian wrote Rigg to tell him about the time that Rigg said that Cleese ’emits a sense of overwhelming vanity coupled with some unspecific cruelty’ onstage.
Ian McKellen was reminded by a critic who said something very harsh about his performance in Shakespeare plays: ‘The greatest thing about Ian McKellen’s Hamlet? His curtain-call.
Glenda Jackson said that her favorite critique was about her performance in Women in Love 1969. It read, “Gelnda has the face to launch a thousand Dredgers.”
Sir John Gielgud told of how he read once that he had the “most meaningless legs possible.”
Alex Guinness was the Oscar winner actor and wrote his review from Hampshire stating that the “hurtful” reviews had been written without a grain in wit.
The collection, that is valued at over £75,000, also includes letters and personalised note cards from personalities including Laurence Olivier, Jon Voigt, Rex Harrison and Elaine Paige.
Olivier wrote a passionate letter saying that it was a pleasure to have worked with him. Olivier was talking about their 1983 TV version of King Lear.
In 1970, Tom Stoppard wrote 14 letters to Di discussing his theatrical productions. It is clear that he deeply cared for her in the letters he wrote to “Di”. One reads: ‘You were tremendously good last night, and you’re the soul of N & D [Night & Day].’
Part of the sale is a plaque to commemorate Dianna Rigg’s Emmy nomination in recognition for her role as the Avengers’ Captain America.
Part of the auction’s sale is Diana’s theatre- and television scripts collection.
The collection, that is valued at over £75,000, also includes letters and personalised note cards, as well as school reports (pictured)
Diana has 23 film and theatrical scripts that she kept over the course of her career.
They were many times annotated and can be used to give insight into the act of acting.
Katherine Schofield is director of popular culture for London’s auctioneers Bonhams. She said that this collection was a fun, insightful one about the amazing Diana Rigg.
“Review letters are one of the best parts about the book. Diana set out to write a book, where she’d ask her friends to review it and share their favorite reviews.
“The overwhelming majority of respondents cited negative reviews, mostly because these are the ones that stay in your mind.
“But they’re hilarious, especially when you consider some of their names.
“Diana Rigg was such a British icon, and such an adored actor.”
Tomorrow is the day of the sale