Burton and Taylor

Never.

Never. Never.

Never, never, never.

DISTANT CHATTERING

CAMERA FLASH

PEOPLE CLAMOUR

Liz, Liz, Liz.

OK. Ladies and gentlemen,

we're here to announce our theatre company's next production.

Noel Coward's comic masterpiece, Private Lives,

starring none other than Miss Elizabeth Taylor

and one of the greatest stage actors of all time, Mr Richard Burton.

PRESS CLAMOUR

Does this mean marriage number three for you and Richard?

PRESS LAUGH

No, I can assure you that Richard and I have entered into this

venture for purely creative reasons. And, it seemed to me

that since Richard had, not so very long ago, spectacularly re-conquered

Broadway in Equus and Camelot, then I really ought to cash in on the

fact that I was pretty certain I had his phone number somewhere at home.

PRESS LAUGH

Richard, can you confirm that?

What, that she had my phone number?

THEY LAUGH

No, we, er, we want to showcase a great play.

We, er, believe it's long overdue a revival.

So absolutely no plans to get back together again?

-None.

-But you don't mind people thinking that?

People can think what they like.

We're, er, we're actors about to do a play together.

But the ad in today's New York Times, which I gather, Miss Taylor,

you designed yourself, that kind of begs the question.

It's just an advert.

A heart with an arrow through it and the words - "together again".

PRESS LAUGH

Well, erm, of course it says that.

That's the...that's the whole basis for Private Lives.

I mean, it's not like she's used a photo of us

and the words, "twice spliced," is it?

THEY LAUGH

That would have made no sense in the context of the play.

Liz! Liz!

The car's this way.

RICHARD: Elizabeth!

-Richard?

-Can I...?

You OK? OK.

Come on, let's wait in the lobby.

God, it's a bloody circus.

Why didn't you tell me

you were going to put an ad in the paper?

I felt like a bloody idiot. And the wording?

It didn't occur to you it might cause a bit of a stir?

It was last minute, Richard!

I just suddenly thought, what a great idea! To get people talking.

Which it has done. The pre-sales have gone through the roof!

You know, plenty of people told me not to do this.

Well, nobody's said a single bad word to me about it,

so you must just have wussy advisors!

I ignored them. I go my own way. You know that.

Sure, I do.

Well, don't let me regret it.

SHE SIGHS

I'm ready now, Chen.

MUSIC: "Just An Illusion" by Imagination

# Illusion

Toodle-oo!

# Illusion

PRESS CLAMOUR

# Illusion

This programme contains very strong language

MUSIC AND CHATTERING

Daddy! Daddy!

-Maria.

-Hi.

Liza, how are you, love?

Thank God you made it. We were worried.

What are you wearing?

-It's a mink.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Is it too much?

-(LAUGHING) No.

I just...I didn't want to seem like an old codger.

LIZ: Richard!

Richard Burton!

Mom's been celebrating a lot. See you later.

# Illusion

# Illusion

# Follow your emotions anywhere... #

Where were you?

I'm sorry I'm late, I'm...technical stuff.

What, for a poetry recital?

Can't they just twiddle a few knobs on the night?

We're charging quite a lot of money. Can't afford any cock ups.

Thank you. Here we are.

No, I, I don't. I told you on the phone.

-Sure you did.

-Very occasionally, I...

That's what I imagined you'd be doing.

All the same. I...I'll have a Tab if they've got one.

MUSIC: "Love To Love You, Baby" by Donna Summer

Oh, I love this one. Come on, let's dance, let's dance.

I can't, I can't. I'm...

Richard! It's my birthday. I get what I want!

You get what you want anyway!

SHE LAUGHS

# I love to love you, baby

Oh, kitten. Watch and learn.

# I love to love you, baby

# I love to love you, baby

That's better.

Whoa. Don't you just want to sit down for a bit?

No, I don't! I, I am 50 years of age, Richard

and I just announced it to the world.

I want to get drunk and dance a lot!

# I love to love you, baby

# Do it to me again and again

# You put me in such a awful spin

# In a spin, in-uh... #

MUSIC: "You Make Me Feel" by Sylvester

Thank you.

Now this one I do know.

# You mean I've been dancin' on the floor, darlin'

# And I feel like I need some more and I

# Feel your body close to mine and I

# Move on love, it's about that time

# Make me feel

# Mighty real

# Make me feel

# Mighty real

# You make me feel mighty real... #

THEY LAUGH

Oh, for a glass of vintage that hath been

Cool'd a long age in the deep-delved earth.

That's a vodka, right?

SHE LAUGHS

No, no, no, I-I've had enough.

I don't want to be half cut for the recital.

I couldn't bear that.

Hello, pockmark.

Hello, lumpy.

Been a good night. We played a blinder.

Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure you would.

How long has it been? I was trying to remember.

-Five years.

-God.

Yes, thank heaven for the newspapers!

HE CHUCKLES

Oh, Christ, this bloody neck.

I swear, Elizabeth, at times I'm like a cripple!

I had to do these fight scenes in Camelot.

Some nights I hardly had the strength to pull my sword

out of it's sheathe and wave it around a bit.

How very unlike you, Richard.

Stop it!

THEY LAUGH

You've the mind of a collier!

SHE CHUCKLES

I'm going to do King Lear next.

I spoke to a producer who says he'll back it.

You'll be fantastic.

Well, I'd better...

Don't! Stay. Stay here! Just stay!

It's not anything else.

Just...how do you fuck, anyway? You can barely move.

THEY LAUGH

There are ways and means, my love.

Do you remember that train we took to New York?

We just lay there and let the rocking of the carriage do the job.

THEY LAUGH

You know, I really should go.

No! No, no, I meant it, Richard! I meant it!

I'll make some tea and you can read a book

and then, erm, you can sleep.

What's she like?

Hmmm?

Your new girlfriend. Sally?

HE GROANS

Do you really want to talk about that?

Oh just...what sort of woman is she? I'm interested.

She's lovely.

Hmm. Good.

Victor's a lawyer. He's Mexican and he's charming.

Terrific.

Somebody told me she was like Sybil.

My wife Sybil?

Yeah. Your ex wife.

-Who told you that, anyway? She's...

-What? What's she like?

HE GROANS

I'm sorry. I...

Go to your room! It's three o'clock.

Richard, I had an idea about doing another play, a Coward.

Elizabeth! I swear to God, if you don't shut up,

I'm going to climb out of this bed, get in my car and drive back

to The Dorchester in my bloody underpants!

SHE LAUGHS

SIREN WAILS

Oh, Christ.

HE VOMITS

I'm here. I'm here. I'm here. I'm here.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

Elizabeth.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

-It's quite all right. Was there a problem?

-No.

Hi. I'm Elizabeth.

-I'm John, nice to meet you.

-Hi, John.

-Hi, I'm Kathryn.

-Hi Kathryn! Hi. Hi, Jane.

Hi.

Hello, Richard.

Hello, Elizabeth.

OK. Let's make a start!

If you want to pull up some chairs, we'll have a little read.

I got you a present.

It's tradition! The producer always buys the star a little welcome gift.

Sorry, everyone.

It's fine. We got ages. Chen, I need my Coke.

Right here.

Open it.

-Oh, it's beautiful.

-Isn't it?

Gorgeous.

It's Cartier.

So. If we could get started. We break for lunch in 20.

Of course.

Thank you, darling.

I have your bag up there.

Thank you. Thank you. You can all go, babe.

Come on, guys, let's leave them to it.

Christ, if we have that many turn up on our first night,

we'll consider ourselves blessed.

Great. So...can I first welcome you all...

I am so looking forward to this. Can I just say that?

A great director,

great fellow actors and a play which, I'm sure,

will do none of us a disservice.

Well, it seems to have passed muster so far in its life.

I know. I can't wait to read it.

Elizabeth.

What?

-Well I'd rather assumed you might...

-What, read it? God, no. No.

I always make it a rule never to look at anything

until I'm starring in it. Keeps it fresh.

What you've never read it?! Ever?

I mean, you didn't think it might be a good idea just to take

a glance before we got going?

No, I told you, I like to keep things fresh.

That's why rehearsals are called rehearsals.

Don't lecture me on the bloody theatre.

OK. I tell you what,

let's take lunch now, come back at two prompt, and start over again.

HE CHUCKLES

How's that sound?

ACTORS CHATTER

I'll just get my bag.

-See you later.

-See you.

Richard? He seem OK to you?

What?

Milton. Bailed kind of early.

I think he'll be fine. He has an excellent reputation.

Good, good. Cos I trust you so much on this.

I mean, I, I would never fall out with you about the theatre.

"The world's greatest stage actor." At the launch.

That was me. I put that in.

Right. Thank you.

Don't thank me. It's true.

So, I got us a table at Sardi's.

The best table. And the linguini and clams are still to die for.

What? You've got to eat lunch!

I can't. I'm meeting Sally back at the apartment.

I'm seeing Mike first to sort out some business but she's joining us.

Oh, oh, I, er... Right.

She staying around? Sally is? For all the rehearsals?

Well, what did you and I do when the other was working?

That was us, Richard.

No, er, no, it's great. I mean, no, I just assumed that she'd,

I don't know, have other stuff to get on with, back in Europe.

But, er, no it'll be lovely for you to have the company.

Yes. It will. Well, I'd better go.

I'm only just around the corner.

Thank you for the scarf.

Any more news? On the Lear deal?

No. I'll chase it up this afternoon.

Good, if you could.

Thou should'st not have been old till thou hadst been wise.

Elizabeth. Of course she hasn't read it. I mean, that's our girl.

That's what she does.

Doesn't mean it isn't irritating.

Well, so what, though? She just works differently to me, that's all.

You know, when we did Cleopatra...

I'd come straight from the Old Vic.

I went over to Hollywood and she walked out onto the sound stage

and she was just tits and make up.

And then we had our first scene together and she did nothing.

Nothing. No voice, no movement,

no, no performance.

I thought she'd had a bloody stroke or something.

And, er, then I saw the rushes and I was acting Anthony.

-But she

-was

-Cleopatra.

She just sort of bleeds into a role...

..like osmosis.

Hard to rehearse around.

Impossible at times.

God, she's good, Mike. She's so bloody good.

Anyway, this last scene's a bit of a worry.

I'm afraid I won't be able to carry her on.

What?

Cordelia - Lear. Howl, howl, howl. How will I do that?

My arms are bloody useless at times.

Then don't take it on! Three hours on stage every night...

No, no. No, I've made promises. To myself. I must do it.

KATHRYN: What's the matter, darling? Are you hungry?

Not a bit.

You're very strange all of a sudden and rather cruel.

Just because I'm feminine it doesn't mean I'm crafty and calculating.

I never said you were either of those things.

I hate these half mas...

Sorry. Half masculine. Can I take the line again?

Well, sure, go ahead.

I hate these half masculine women who go banging about.

I hate anyone who goes banging about.

I should think you needed a little quiet womanliness after Amanda.

Why do you keep on talking about her?

That's good. That's a great idea, Rich,

holding a lighter away from her.

-THEY LAUGH

-Works for me!

Right. Let's go back to, er, Amanda's entrance.

That's me.

That was great.

Oh! You OK? You were wonderful.

-Thank you.

-No, it was...

No, it was...well, you were just funny.

You all right, love?

Of course I'm all right.

You eat enough at lunch?

Probably not as much as you did.

Er, Chen, can I have my, erm, chair?

OK, er...from the top? When everybody's ready.

-Do you want these?

-No, I'm fine. Thanks.

And.

Mandy!

LIZ SIGHS

Mandy!

Elizabeth, that's your cue, from off stage.

Off stage?

Oh, well, if I'm off stage, can't somebody else do it?

No. It has to be your voice and you are answering him. So...

Oh, OK. OK, honey. Sorry. Hang on.

Honey, what page are we on?

Page five.

Five. Hang on.

OK. Here we are.

Mandy!

What?

Come outside. The view is wonderful.

I'm still damp from the bath. Bath.

Wait a minute.

I shall catch...

What's that?

Pneumonia.

Er, can we just take a break?

What?

Yeah, I need to talk to costume,

cos it says here I'm wearing a negligee.

-And I don't want to look...

-Can I have a word, love?

What are you, what are you doing, Richard?

You sound really smashed!

I am not!

What have you taken?

Beyond the Coke. The always open Coke!

Which given that you can drink me under the table, Elizabeth, I

can't imagine is solely responsible for the way you're behaving.

Some pills. I have to take certain pills for my tummy.

You know the trouble I had in Puerto Vallarta.

-It was after that, some years ago...

-Just don't take any more of them!

You're making a spectacle of yourself.

Yeah, you might think about...

No, I'm fine.

What a place.

You know it's Rock Hudson's? He's letting me borrow it.

It's fabulous.

No. It's an apartment. This is fabulous.

Come to Granny.

There isn't a single book in the entire apartment.

-Dad! Stop it!

-A television the size of the Odeon Leicester Square...

HE BLOWS A RASPBERRY, COOS

Gee, look at these two, it's like they've never seen one before.

We've never seen a nice one before. You two were horrible.

Hey, well, you'll be pleased to know that we're going...

OK, bye-bye.

Bye, darling.

We're going to see you again, before we lose you to this extravaganza.

Say bye. Bye-bye, Gran.

I love you, don't worry.

-Bye-bye.

-I need to put him to bed.

-Oh, girls?

-Yeah?

-You all right for cash?

-Yes!

-Daddy.

All right. Come on.

LIZ SIGHS

What are you doing?

I'm getting a drink. Do you want one?

Could this be one of your little occasions?

-I came here to work.

-I know. But that doesn't mean...

Elizabeth! This is serious! We open in ten days.

You're not remembering the words, your cues, any of the business.

We both know why that is. Don't we?

I'm not doing that any more!

Not since yesterday morning, as a matter of fact.

I'm not taking anything.

Except the bare bones.

Because they do, they CAN befuddle me, Richard, it's true.

They can befuddle me so for the sake of the show,

I am putting my health to one side. And...

Well, you can expect a different Elizabeth from here on in,

I, I promise.

OK, good. Well, let's work on some scenes.

It's the third act that needs the work but, er,

let's just start from the top and mark the action.

You have no idea, have you?

You stand there and you tell me that I have to pull myself together.

This is difficult, Richard!

This is a difficult situation.

Well, I wasn't going to say anything, I wasn't going to say anything

but no, well what could I say?

I never see you to talk to. You just go!

-After every rehearsal, after every fitting...

-Elizabeth.

-No, just disappear, back to your apartment.

-I have to work!

This isn't how I planned it.

I see.

I just thought we'd spend time with each other.

I was looking forward to that. Weren't you?

That we'd get to see each other again? And...have fun?

I, I don't know what to say.

I don't.

I don't know what to say.

You have a... You have a God-given gift.

-You can do it anywhere, on stage, on film.

-What?!

I'm just a dumb broad.

You're not dumb. Don't say that. It's not true.

And it makes me angry when you say it.

OK.

I'm not dumb. But...

The stage is not my home and I, I, er, well this play is hard,

really hard and...I'm isolated.

And I thought you'd be there to back me up.

I am! Really, I am. That's why I'm here now. To help.

And I will!

Good.

I just didn't want to disappoint you.

Disappoint me? Just learn your lines, love, go on stage, say them,

and you will electrify.

And irrespective of what happens here tonight,

the entire run of this show is already sold out,

guaranteeing both stars a payday

somewhere in the region of 1 million!

'Here outside the theatre, massive crowds wait

'for a glimpse of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.'

'..by Noel Coward is the first time Taylor and

Burton have been on stage together since...'

TANNOY: 'Ladies and Gentlemen,

'welcome to this evening's performance of Private Lives.

'We would like to take this time to remind you

'that all photography in this performance is strictly prohibited.

'We hope you enjoy this evening's performance.'

We go up in ten minutes. Where the bloody hell is she?

-They're parking up.

-What?

People are parking on the side of the road

and in the middle of it, hoping to get a glimpse as she goes by.

-It's caused a gridlock.

-Oh, Christ!

'Ladies and gentlemen, will you please... '

Mike!

Will you fetch me The Times crossword please?

And possibly get the kettle on.

Oh, and a couple of sleeping bags also,

it's going to be a bloody long night.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, unfortunately this evening's performance

'of Private Lives is delayed for another 25 minutes.'

It's now 45 minutes till Act One beginners.

45 minutes till Act One beginners.

DOGS BARK

Hi, Gino. I'm here, I'm here!

I'm here!

I am so sorry I'm late.

Here, here, here, Chen.

I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, sorry.

I did my make up in the car. I thought that might help.

Thank you.

Not at all. In these situations, we've got to all pull together.

You're a bloody menace!

You should have come out. Everyone was calling your name.

And I signed so many posters for Virginia Woolf.

Virginia Woolf!

I know. For that. I was so fat. Anyway, can't talk.

Got a play to do.

PARROT SQUAWKS

A parrot?!

He's called Alvin.

What is she? An actress or a bloody zoo?

AUDIENCE LAUGHS AND APPLAUDS

Thank you, Jess.

Sibyl!

< Yes.

I've brought the cocktails outside. Hurry up.

I can't find my lipstick.

Never mind. Send down to the kitchen for some cochineal.

AUDIENCE LAUGHS

-Don't be silly.

-Hurry!

AUDIENCE APPLAUD, WHISTLE

APPLAUSE CONTINUES

Whose yacht is that?

The Duke of Westminster's, I expect. It always is.

I wish I were on it.

I wish you were, too.

AUDIENCE LAUGH

There's no need...to be nasty.

Yes, there is, every need.

I've never in my life felt a greater urge to be nasty.

And you've had some urges in your time, haven't you?

AUDIENCE CHEER

If you start bickering with me,

Amanda, I swear I shall throw you over the edge.

Try it, that's all, just try it.

AUDIENCE LAUGH

BELL RINGS

TANNOY: 'Intermission, ladies and gentleman.

'20 minutes till Act Two beginners.'

What a start, Rich.

I set them up, you knock them down!

LIZ LAUGHS

Did you notice her at supper,

blowing all those shrimps through her ear trumpet?

AUDIENCE LAUGH

LAUGHTER CONTINUES

What are you thinking about?

Oh, nothing in particular.

Come on, I know that face.

Poor Sibyl.

AUDIENCE LAUGH, MURMUR

Sibyl?

Yes, I suppose she loves you terribly.

AUDIENCE LAUGH

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

Oh, my God. What have we done?

Rich...listen.

Didn't you hear them?

When Sibyl was mentioned. They reacted like it was my wife Sybil.

Richard Burton! We did it. You did it!

A standing ovation. Five, six, curtain calls.

I knew this play would be a hit. I knew it right from the off!

-What's the matter?

-Couldn't you hear it?

Richard, I heard laughter and I heard cheering.

That's usually a good sign, isn't it?

-They were laughing at us.

-No, they were not.

-They were.

They didn't think they were watching a play.

They thought they'd had an invite into our lives,

to see us HAPPEN in front of them.

Stop it! You're overreacting.

Well, OK, maybe there were a few that were more interested in us

than in the show but you always get that on the first-night crowd.

You get the rubber neckers. But they were not the majority.

And the majority loved what we did, they loved it!

TANNOY: 'Mike to stage door, please.'

I'm proud of you, Elizabeth.

You're phenomenal.

There's no-one like you.

Thank you. So stop worrying! OK. And let's go wow.

The party. We've got a club in town. The whole place. And a band.

I'm sorry. I've made arrangements.

Later, perhaps I...

But people'll be expecting it. Us.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Rich! Sally's brought the car around. Are you going to be long?

-Or do you want me to ask her back?

-No, no. I'm coming. Thank you.

No, it's fine. It's fine. I forgot.

You do what you've got to do.

I'll see you.

Hello, love.

Chen?!

I've got a table booked.

SMALL DOG BARKS

CAMERAS FLASH, PRESS CLAMOUR

HE BREATHES UNSTEADILY

DISTANT SIRENS WAIL

Thou art a soul in bliss...

But I am bound upon a wheel of fire.

That mine own tears do scold like molten lead.

You loathsome...

loathsome man.

HE SIGHS

PHONE RINGS

LOUD MUSIC PLAYS

-They're not the best I've read.

-Ha!

Elizabeth. Please. Critics deserve nothing but our pity.

To be so close to art and yet to contribute absolutely nothing

whatsoever towards it. It's like being...a eunuch at an orgy.

Yeah, but how can they say those things?

They're cunts. That's a more prosaic version of what I just said.

Christ, Elizabeth! You don't need THEIR approbation.

Approbation!

No, don't, don't, don't do it to yourself.

No, no, no. Listen to this.

"Miss Taylor plays Amanda Prynne in perhaps the strangest voice

"this side of the Disney cartoon.

"She squeaks, peeps, swoops and then pauses as though speaking Pinter."

Approbation? I just want their fucking manners.

PILLS RATTLE

Do you have a handkerchief?

Here.

-I don't deserve that.

-You don't. You're right.

Let's not forget, they weren't exactly gushing about me, were they?

-Yeah, well, they all like your voice.

-Of course they do!

It's the theatrical equivalent of a big cock.

Everyone likes it.

Doesn't make you a great lover per se, though, does it?

SHE LAUGHS

Here, have some of my burger.

No, I'm on a diet! Two of those bastards said

I was spending more time in the green room than on stage.

Sod them! None of their business.

But you are right. You shouldn't have to endure it.

And nor should I.

Nor do we have to.

What do you mean?

Let's cancel the run.

Right here. Now. Spare ourselves any more pain.

Either from these idiots or from the ones who plonk themselves

down in the front rows and treat us like we're a bloody freak show!

But we can't just cancel. The theatre'd sue us.

Why don't we pay them? I think I've got enough in my current account.

What about you? Wouldn't entirely clear us out, would it?

We pop in later today,

we bid a fond farewell to the other actors and that's it.

We go our separate ways. Sounds like bliss.

No! I won't give them the pleasure.

Richard, we're going to do this play!

And we're going to make people laugh, we're going to make people applaud.

And we're going to make a pile of money while we do it.

And no-one, not them or anyone else, is going to stand in our way!

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

AUDIENCE CHEER WILDLY

-RICHARD: Sibyl.

-Yes!

I've bought the cocktails outside, hurry up.

Considering what a hell she made your life,

I think you're very nice about her.

-And yet I'm sorry for her.

-Why?

-Because she's marked for tragedy.

She's bound to make a mess of everything.

If it's all her fault, I don't see that it matters much.

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

RICHARD: You're a vile, loose-living, wicked little beast

and I never want to set eyes on you...

LIZ: This is the end. Do you understand? Finally! And for ever!

-You're not going like this.

-Oh, yes, I am.

-You're not.

Oh, yes, I am. Let go of me!

AUDIENCE LAUGH

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

Very enjoyable. Never had much of that anyhow.

Quite insufferable. I expect it's because you're drunk!

AUDIENCE LAUGH

MAN: Keep going, you two! We love you, Liz!

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

-What the hell was that?

-What?

You were mugging for the audience.

-I...

-You were. I saw you!

Er, Elizabeth. Costume.

Shut your mouth! I'm talking to her.

Don't you dare speak to my friends like that!

And don't you dare think that you can tell me

how to play my role. They loved it! The audience loved it.

They adored that they were in on the gag.

And the audience, may I remind you,

are the ones who are paying our wages.

Or rather, they're paying my company, who are paying your wages.

Fuck off!

Richard. Rich!

What?

Please. Don't storm off like that.

Don't go off like that.

When you still haven't apologised!

-Bitch!

-You bully!

-Get off!

-How dare you!

-Stop it!

-Don't you raise your hand to me!

-Well, stop fucking hitting me!

Only when you've fucking apologised!

DOGS BARK

-We're fine.

-We were just talking.

I'm sorry. You're right.

I was...unprofessional.

It's all we have! To rise above the rubbish in the stalls!

Richard, I was unprofessional, you were rude.

Which is much worse.

We do not treat those around us, those who look after us, like dirt.

That is inexcusable. And you know it!

So, please, do the right thing now. Now!

Or I am going to spend the entire final act of this play in full

conversation with whoever in the front row,

wants to join in with me the most!

HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

Chen? I erm, I'm so sorry about that outburst.

My tone...I don't know what came over me.

It's fine, Richard.

Well, it won't happen again. I can assure you. Sorry.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would you like some supper afterwards?

What?

I was wondering if you'd care for a late supper?

What about Sally? Is she not in tonight? She usually is.

No. She's busy. I think she might have gone to the Met.

-So has Victor.

-Gone to the opera?

No. He's busy.

Oh, well, all the more reason then.

Ideal.

OK.

DINERS APPLAUD

Thank you.

Thank you.

-So sorry I'm late.

-You're not.

Miss Taylor. Mr Burton. Compliments of the management.

How lovely.

Thank you.

Er, can I get a Tab as well please? And some iced water?

Of course, sir.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

Menu, ma'am.

This is lovely. Very intimate!

Thank you.

I got a round of applause when I came in.

I notice you didn't.

HE LAUGHS

What?

It's bizarre. I mean, all these years and they're still interested.

You'd think they'd tire.

Are you going to be like this all night? Just drifting off.

No. I was just thinking of that restaurant in Rome, Alfredo's?

-Uh-huh.

-Remember at the height of Le Scandale.

We were holed up in that little flat,

half the world's press on our doorstep. Cameras everywhere.

And the Vatican telling us we were morally reprehensible.

Then one day, you said,

"Sod it, let's go and have some fettucine at Alfredo's!"

Sure did.

THEY LAUGH

We went down the Via Veneto, into the restaurant and bang!

Boy, did we go public!

Remember?

Every day.

I think we're ready to order, please.

I like this.

What?

I can be quiet with you.

You can't with Victor?

Sure I can. I'm saying, though, it's also true of you.

Geez, can't a guy take a compliment any more?

Feeling's mutual, love, I promise.

Ma'am.

Sir.

It's funny, isn't it, what's at the heart of a good relationship.

I mean, love, obviously but that's a catch all, really,

a collective noun for all the other bits put together.

The question is, what's the critical element

around which everything else clusters?

Er, passion.

Maybe.

Sex.

Hmmm. Important. Very.

Trust.

That's not bad.

Being able to trust one's most abject self to the other,

in the knowledge that they'll tread carefully on your screams.

SHE LAUGHS

I always did feel like that with you.

Really? That's what bound us? Trust?

I always thought it was my tits.

HE LAUGHS

Yes, well they...clearly had a role.

And they are still magnificent, by the way. May I say that?

No, you may not! They're not yours to talk about any more.

They'll always be mine!

So are we going to have pudding or go straight for coffee?

Richard, listen, listen, listen, listen. I want to say some things.

I've wanted to say them for a while.

Erm, I nearly did at Rock's but, I dunno, you seemed kind of frail.

I am kind of frail.

I mean it's a, it is a worry.

I mean, it's the thing that concerns me about Lear.

I'll be fine with the words but it's the physical demands...

I'm not talking about acting, Richard!

I'm talking about you and me. And why we're doing this.

70,000 a week.

That is not true.

Elizabeth! Please.

Can I say something, now that it's on my mind?

There's a couple of things which have crept in over

the course of the run.

The tiny things, but your first entrance, for instance.

You're now playing it very confidently, which I think is losing

some sense of Amanda protecting herself, which she undoubtedly is...

SHE CLEARS THROAT You're giving me notes?

I'm trying to talk to you and you're giving me acting notes?

-No...

-Jesus, Richard! What are you doing?

-Why did you ask me out tonight?

-What?

Why did you ask me out to supper tonight?

Why did you do that?

Because I wanted to see you. You're my ex wife.

It's perfectly natural for me to want to see you, isn't it?

Fine, in which case, I'll take that note.

Where did my Anthony go? Remember?

The man who would have risked everything for me.

Who did! Who tossed it all against the rocks

so he could be with me. Where did he go, Richard?

Tell me where my fucking Anthony went?!

There's still no sign.

We need to start or we'll still be here at midnight.

-Rich, we can't be certain...

-She isn't coming! I know she isn't.

Get ready, love.

You'll be wonderful! Trust me.

TANNOY: 'Ladies and gentlemen, due to a sudden illness,

'Ms Taylor is sadly indisposed

'and the role of Amanda will be played tonight by Kathryn Walker.'

AUDIENCE GRUMBLE

TANNOY: 'Five minutes stand-by for Mr Burton.

'Mr Burton, please stand-by.'

How's it going?

How do you think? I'm Richard Burton.

I don't play to 50 people!

Christ, Mike, don't ever put that woman's back up. Not ever.

What did you say to her?

I gave her a note. And this is hers, back to me.

This is La Taylor saying, loud and clear,

"Don't you forget, boyo, who the star of this show really is!"

Bitch!

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

KNOCK ON DOOR

Yes!

It was a great show, Rich. You and Kathryn, you really...

What's the matter?

We're going to go dark, just until Elizabeth gets better.

What?

I've spoken to Zev and the numbers, tickets coming back

and phone calls, I...

People really want to see Liz, Rich.

So...it seems crazy. We're going to take a break.

As soon as she's well again, we'll pick it up.

OK, folks, please strike this and re-set for act one.

We are back on the road.

Todd, can you get on to resetting the doors?

LIZ: I'm here, I'm here. Hi, Gino.

SHE COUGHS

Come on, babies.

You go with Auntie Hayley.

Hey, can you see, I'm going to go and see Uncle Rich.

Hi, honey, I'm sorry I'm late.

Elizabeth?

What?

Elizabeth, apologies, I didn't realise you were already in.

What is happening?

Nothing. I...Richard's on his way, Mike called from the airport.

Airport? Where's he been?

Can someone please tell me what the goddamn hell is going on?

Honey, let's go to your room. Huh?

We can talk better there. Come on.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Can you guys give us some space, please!

-Peter, take the dogs out, thank you.

-No problem.

-Thank you.

-We'll be outside.

Well?

Guess they got an exclusive. It wasn't in any of the others, so...

He got married in Vegas?

Why would he do that?

Yeah?

DOOR OPENS

Richard.

I wondered how you were feeling.

I'm on the mend, thank you.

I, er, do wish you'd told me of your plans.

I was a little surprised to read of them in the newspaper.

I'm sorry.

Events rather overtook us.

Really?

We'd always intended it, you know that.

And then the break. Seemed like an ideal opportunity.

I've no doubt it was.

Congratulations.

SHE CRIES

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

AUDIENCE LAUGH

PARROT SQUAWKS

Well, isn't that what you say a performance must always have?

Some danger.

Not parrots.

You really can be more irritating than anyone in the world.

AUDIENCE LAUGH

Hmmm, I fail to see what I've done that is so terribly irritating.

AUDIENCE LAUGH LOUDLY

They want us to fight. Don't you see?

No, I don't, why should they?

Primitive feminine instinct. It's what...

Boring females. Very enjoyable.

The end. Finally and for ever.

-You're not going like this!

-Oh, yes, I am!

-You're not!

Oh, yes, I am. Let go of me!

HE CRIES OUT

AUDIENCE LAUGH

You're a cruel fiend. I hate you and I loathe you!

EXCITED CHATTERING

-Great work, Rich.

-Wonderful.

I hope I didn't hurt you, did I, Richard?

At the end of Act Two? You seemed to wince.

Only on Noel's behalf. You're slurred again.

You swallowed half the lines.

Christ!

What a bloody shambles!

OBJECTS CLATTER

COMMOTION IN HALLWAY

LIZ SOBS

It's OK.

What's going on?

Elizabeth!

Leave her! She's poorly!

We're getting her straight back to the apartment.

-There's nothing wrong with her!

-She's sick.

Really? Well, if she is, take it from one who knows,

she's got it from a bloody bottle!

Can you blame her? You treat her like shit!

She finds out you're married from a newspaper article,

-you criticise her as an actress.

-What?

-You!

I have never criticised her as an actress!

She is peerless as an actress!

Jesus!

You call that acting, out there? It's like a bloody pantomime dame.

Tripping over all her lines. I know she can act.

I know better than anyone!

Which is why I'm not going to tolerate that any more!

In which case, maybe you'll leave her alone once and for all.

Because Miss Taylor was fine until you took this job.

She was well until you decided to come back into her life again.

Now, why you did that, only you can know for sure but from here,

it looks like it was for one reason only - to break her heart.

What did he say?

Did he ask if I was all right?

He didn't say much. But I told him.

I think it's disgusting the way he treats you.

You said what?

Get out.

Get out!

I said get out!

Get out! Get the fuck out of here!

LIZ SOBS Chen! Chen!

Chen!

SHE SOBS

You OK, Mr Burton?

Never. Never.

Thou art the thing itself.

Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked animal.

As thou art.

AUDIENCE APPLAUD

Congratulations.

-Hey! Great work, Rich!

-Thanks, Jess.

You were terrific. Thank you.

Thanks, John. Likewise, likewise.

Rich! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

-For what?

-I finally got to act with my hero.

And he was everything I dreamed of and more.

You were brilliant. Really.

See you at the party?

Er, well, we'll see.

Well done.

Yes. And you.

-There's a party. I...

-I know. Kathryn said.

-Yeah, I imagine you'll...

-No. I, er, I dunno. I might call in.

You're quite an actor.

Elizabeth!

What?

I... I will... I'll try and come to the party.

TANNOY: 'Ladies and gentlemen. for the last time -

'Act One was 43 minutes, Act Two, 44 minutes

'and Act Three, 46 minutes.

'There will be no call on Monday. Thank you and good night.'

KNOCKING

There you go! Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

You really shouldn't do that, you know.

Richard, I bought you a present. I want to hang it up.

Yes, the thing about hotels, love,

is that they come with the pictures already provided.

Yeah, copies. Not originals.

This one had its own seat in first all the way from Madrid.

What ARE you wearing?

Dior. Don't you like it?

No. I mean, why are you dressed, as t'were,

like an overripe tart, when we're about to start exercising?

I thought maybe we could screw afterwards.

Mmm, I can taste Jack. Lucky Jack.

Right, Francis, you old bugger. Get us going.

MUSIC: "I Get A Kick Out Of You" by Frank Sinatra

Elizabeth. Elizabeth, come on.

# I get no kick from champagne

Right, start with side bends. Ready?

# Mere alcohol, it doesn't move me at all

Ready and one, two, three and...

# So tell me why should it be true

One, two, three and...

# That I get a kick out of you

One, two, three.

-We're supposed to do a hundred of those.

-What?!

Well, I imagine you work up.

We don't have to break any records at the outset.

-Right, next, jog on the spot for five minutes.

-Without stopping?!

No, love, after 30 seconds, they encourage you to have another

Jack Daniels and ring room service for another hot dog.

Of course you don't stop. Are you ready?

OK.

# I get a kick every time I see you

Knees up.

-What are you doing?

-What do you mean?

What are you doing?

Richard, I'm holding my bosom.

It's bouncing up and down.

Richard, I'm 40 years of age. They're 40 years of age.

They've gained a certain...elasticity.

HE LAUGHS

# In a plane

# Flying too high with some gal

You are so gorgeous.

Your tits are gorgeous, your arse is gorgeous, your legs, your belly...

Did I mention your tits?

# I get a kick out of you... #

Let's just screw.

We can be extra vigorous.

Rich?

-Stop the car, will you?

-What?

-Stop the car! Stop the car.

-What's the matter?

I'm...I'm going to walk. I need some air.

I'll see you at the apartment.

Tell Sally, will you?

INDISTINCT CHATTERING

INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE

DOOR OPENS

Now there's a surprise.

I went to the party. Chen said you hadn't shown up so...

No, I'm...

I'm glad you came back.

The...way it's all ended, it...

Not how you planned it?

No-one made you do it.

No. You're right. I chose to.

You need help, Elizabeth. You know that, don't you?

Yes.

I say that as someone who...

No, I know, you've got your help. I understand.

And I'm happy for you. No, I am. Really.

-I'm sure Victor would...

-Oh, we'll see.

I love you, Richard.

I always will.

-You want me to say it, don't you?

-Yes, please.

Of course I love you.

Don't say any more. I just want to hear the first bit. OK?

We're addicts, Elizabeth, you and I.

What?

It's what King Lear's all about, that's why I want to do it so much.

About the need we all have for drugs of...one kind or another,

without which we crumble.

What drugs?

Kingship, power, love...

-Love is not a drug.

-Isn't it?

I dunno. You can have too much.

Until just a sip takes you beyond and ravages you.

I'll always love you, Elizabeth,

as long as I live but...

..us, together,

it'll destroy me.

I can't do it.

That's what I wanted to say to you. All I have to say, but....

That's why I did this bloody job, to ask your forgiveness, because...

..your love, I know, is total and unqualified...

..and it makes a mockery of all my bombast.

I can't do it any more. I can't match you, Elizabeth.

I'm not as brave as you.

And I'm sorry for that.

For not measuring up, as a man.

You're Richard Burton.

You're every man there ever was.

I know.

And I have known...for a while.

I just didn't want to admit it.

I'm going to miss you.

I'm going to miss you.

No, no, love.

No.

I couldn't manage that, either.

I love Sally, Elizabeth.

My time is with her now. But I, I need you in my life, as well.

I can't ever be completely apart from you again.

Right, so you want me close but not, not too close?

I'm sorry, I'm bloody hopeless.

Yeah, you are bloody hopeless.

What about another play?

Oh, God! No!

At least, not together.

Yeah. Well, I think I'm ready for a break from the stage.

I'll come and watch you, though. And whatever you're in...

You're the greatest actor I have ever seen, Richard.

Likewise, Elizabeth.

What a king you'll be.

I'm worried, you know, about my arms -

carrying on Cordelia at the end.

Ah, you'll be fine.

They're so weak. The nerve damage is...

Richard. You can do it. Look, try. Try now.

Lift you?

-Yeah, just take me over to the couch.

-But Cordelia's...

What? Thinner?

No, no. She's younger. I mean, she's waif-like.

Thinner.

HE LAUGHS

I...

Come on, you can do it, come on.

Yay! You see, you see! You can do it, Richard.

-Yeah, it's OK.

-You see, I know you. Better than you know yourself.

-Yeah.

-HE LAUGHS

-You want to say the lines?

-No, not at the same time, no!

SHE CACKLES

THEY LAUGH

I'll never do it!

You'll be fine!

# I get no kick from champagne

# Mere alcohol, it doesn't move me at all

# So tell me why should it be true

# That I get a kick out of you? #

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd