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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 350369" data-attributes="member: 23">That's lovely. So nice to see  images which bring it to life. Of course, I had to look up a few things Kenny wrote in his infamous diaries about the play and Ingrid:Wednesday, 21 October 1970To Lord North Street and I met Binkie, who introduced me to Ingrid Bergman. She was charming and lovely... Ingrid told an incredible story about Lewis Milestone and Joan Crawford, the [former] picking out a v. handsome extra and saying 'Miss Crawford, here is your flatterer. This man will be engaged to tell you how wonderful you are in every scene we shoot.'Monday, 4 January 1971There was a dreary read thro' which showed how awful they all were, except for Ingrid, Gibby [James Gibson] and the American captain. Tuesday, 19 January 1971I got to the theatre at 10 o'c. - the Palace - and we rehearsed Act II. Frith admitted he was 'a little worried' about Ingrid going to so many theatres at night (she went to see Lulu at the Apollo last night) and not learning her lines. Friday, 22 January 1971Run-through of the play. Ingrid stumbled through it. She hasn't taken hold of a scene once... It's a lady with a foreign accent who doesn't know the script very well. Monday, 1 February 1971. BrightonI got a small round of applause on the entrance which embarrassed me 'cos it ruins the delivery of the lines... The concluding duologue with Ingrid & Joss got rather bogged down 'cos she lost the lines, but the applause at the end was very good indeed. Monday, 15 February 1971. LondonThe D/rehearsal at the Cambridge was farcical. There were loads of photographers in the stalls and it was impossible to work seriously under such conditions so I got the giggles and larked about the whole time, winking at Ingrid & Joss and sending up Gibby who was appalling on the lines. Thursday, 18 February 1971Binkie on the telephone. Would I  please attend rehearsal today to keep Ingrid in the theatre. She's been sick all night - it is probably nerves, they all think. Got to the theatre to find the room full of presents and - most prized of all, a note from Ingrid: 'Be my next director - feed out of your hand, I would...' The show went through competently and at the end there were nine curtains and Ingrid had to take 3 solo calls. The house obviously adored her, and rightly so. Wednesday, 24 February 1971Ingrid is still doing some lines well and some lines badly... it is because the lack of stage technique makes her unable to sustain moments, or comedy effects... Nevertheless, I adore this woman and will forgive everything from someone who has her sweetness, radiance and generosity of spirit and who packs the theatre as she does. It is really marvellous to play such houses. Friday, 30 April 1971On my entrance with the chair in Act I, I was late - about 5 seconds - and Bergman was furious. When she came off I said 'I apologise for being late...' and she was graceless and said 'I don't speak your language so I can't extemporise.' I thought she was quite horrid about it - it's the only time it has happened in the run and I am doing several other jobs... Walked home depressed thro' the streets. Tuesday, 11 May 1971Walked to Le Cheminant with Louie and ordered a silver salver to be inscribed: 'Presented to Miss Ingrid Bergman on the occasion of the 100th performance of Captain Brassbounds Conversion at the Cambridge Theatre, London, 17.5.71, with the admiration and affection of the cast.' They said they can have it ready by Friday and I certainly hope so.Monday, 17 May 1971Tom & I went to the party and I gave Ingrid the engraved salver, and made a speech and the press took the photographs. Ingrid said 'Nothing like this has happened to me... I shall treasure it...' but she left the party very early 'cos she said there was no air in the place. Thursday, 20 May 1971Evening show OK and after!!! - I went up to see Sir Noël Coward in Ingrid's room... He was adorable and said my performance was very good... When he'd gone I said to Ingrid 'It's been a beautiful evening and you have made it all possible... you don't realise how much warmth, delight and love you bring into a room with you...' Walked home thanking God for bringing all my dreams to fruition... couldn't sleep for excitement. Friday, 11 June 1971I should think Bergman is the best person I've ever met who is an International Star. I said to her in the wings 'You are being splendid tonight' & she said 'Yes, I'm in good voice too.' I said 'Yes, but the entrance was superb! So grand, so composed... utterly serene' and she replied 'Well, you know about actors - you can't just switch it on - some nights it all just goes right...' It is true.Tuesday, 15 June 1971Called on Domenic at the Garden to arrange the dinner tonight for Ingrid & Gordon [Jackson] & Louie & me, at the Grange, in the far room. Gordon was absolutely marvellous because he knew about all her films, right from Intermezzo. I said to her on the way out 'You are the best person I have worked with ever...' and she replied "Oh! my dear, there will be others... many others.'Saturday, 31 July 1971The second house was packed and v. enthusiastic. Ingrid came into the wings and was very affectionate, put her arms around me, and said 'So, at last, my dear! To think I stood here and wished you luck half a year ago!' It appeared in the papers tonight that she has broken all records for a limited season in London by taking £250,000 in 6 months... [T]his poor old creaking and rickety affair, which was greeted with hostility by the press and grudgingly by a lot of people in our profession has proved a wild success commercially and entertained a lot of people. </blockquote>

Verification: What month follows July?