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Theater director Douglas Turner Ward talks with Studs Terkel about the play "The River Niger." Further discussion is had about the play's writer, Joseph Walker, as well as the story and characters, and the play's connection to the African-American community.
Sam Wanamaker talks about the curtain of a stage being a barrier between the set and the audience. Wanaker says that with theater today, there are more theaters in the round and more thrusts of ramps built into the audience, so that the audience can feel they are a part of the production of the play.
Sam Wanamaker continues his discussion about the theater, with an emphasis on lights and music. With his production of "Macbeth," Wanamaker didn't want three-dimensional witches. Instead, he used lighting to convey their presence. In addition, similar to the line from Macbeth, Wanamaker was able to show the witches disappearing and melting into the air.
American-British actress Margaret Webster, talks about the unsophisticated audience members that go to see plays by Shakespeare. Upon seeing a play, they're afraid to go at first but once they are there, they realize how much they are truly enjoying themselves.
Terkel interviews Welsh actor/writer/dramatist Emlyn Williams.
Austrian actress Helene Thimig-Reinhardt discusses her origins and reflects on a long acting career. As the widow of Max Reinhardt, much of the discussion touches on his work as a theater director, film director, and impresario. 00:50:30- 00:52:29 "Ich Muss Wieder Einmal in Grinzing Sein" by Lotte Lehmann
Mike Forrest, Beulah Garrick, and Donald Moffat discuss and read the writings of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Forrest, Garrick, and Moffat are all cast members of "The Hostage," a play by Brendan Behan.
Robert Vaughn takes time out from his Drury Lane appearance in "Tender Trap" to discuss his new book "Only Victims" with Studs Terkel. The discussion spans the years 1938 when Martin Dies became the first House Committee on Unamerican Activities (HUAC) chairman to Vice President Spiro Agnew's condemnation of the "New York Times" and "Washington Post". Vaughn created the title of his book "Only Victims" from a Dalton Trumbo speech that reflected back on the era of HUAC as being one where there were no heroes, no villains, only victims.
French actor and director Jean Vilar discusses French Theater and the Théâtre National Populaire.
Actor Maureen O'Sullivan discusses her role in the play "Philadelphia, Here I Come!" and her career; excerpt from play "Philadelphia, Here I Come!" and "Riders to the Sea" recited during interview.