The story of how Michael Gambon got his big break deserves a standing ovation all its own
People love this story, told by the great man himself, of how Michael Gambon auditioned for his first part at the National Theatre in London in front of Laurence Olivier.
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It went viral after it was shared by Isaac Butler on Twitter.
This story of Michael Gambon’s big break is amazing. pic.twitter.com/BxXd6WURV4
— Isaac Butler (@parabasis) April 8, 2018
FYI: this is from Antony Sher’s marvelous “Year of the King”
— Isaac Butler (@parabasis) April 8, 2018
And because it’s not immediately clear: the audition is to be part of the first company at the newly-formed National Theatre. Also in the company: Derek Jacobi.
— Isaac Butler (@parabasis) April 8, 2018
And here’s what people made of it online.
Michael told me this story with an extra twist. Olivier gave him a monogrammed hankie to stop the bleeding & sent him to hospital & he still has the hankie. But Michael is a story teller!
— Bruce McKay (@THEBruceMcKay) April 9, 2018
Michael Gambon bleeding in front of Laurence Olivier like… pic.twitter.com/JY4SI1fImf
— Amy Gravino (@AmyGravino) April 9, 2018
Love it. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him after a stellar performance of Krapp's Last Tape. He was lovely, humorous and every bit the gentleman.
— Emma Hynes (@ELHynes) April 8, 2018
You’re assuming it’s true, Gambon is rather well known for spinning impressive yarns about his career.
— Tim O Connor (@MaoTseTim) April 9, 2018
What a bloody bloke. My favourite story about him is getting bored in an interview and telling a Times journalist that he used to be homosexual but had to give it up because of injury 😂
— Taylor Not Besty ⚽️ (@TaylorandBesty) April 8, 2018