Vanessa Redgrave on A Good Read

[mamainlockdown]

Just listened to Vanessa Redgrave and Eileen Atkins on A Good Read as I was doing the washing up this evening. Did anyone else hear it? I felt really awkward listening to Vanessa Redgrave. She sounded as if she wasn't all there, but I don't know if she's experiencing any mental health issues or anything? She was making some very bizarre remarks and seemed off topic at times, - the presenter had a hard job steering her back) plus embarrassingly overly flattering to Eileen Atkins. Might just be her "luvvie"-ness coming out, but it was a really awkward listen.

I've wondered if she was quite all right since seeing her genuflect deeply to Prince William at the BAFTAs some years ago. It seemed very out of character, given her very left wing views.

She's had a lot of trauma with losing her daughter, sister and brother in the space of a year so I imagine that's taken it's toll.

I do find it quite romantic that she and Franco Nero were in love in the 60s and had a child, only to go their separate ways and then reconcile and marry decades later.

Oh, I didn't know any of that about her husband. I knew about her daughter but not the other bereavements. Sounds like she's always been a bit like that then given your Prince William story. She did sound very confusing to be honest.

I was pleased to find your post as I also heard the programme and wondered whether Vanessa Redgrave may have comprehension problems, it was an extraordinary broadcast and Harriet and Eileen coped well in the circumstances. I then investigated further and found out that Vanessa had a heart attack a few years ago and also has very reduced lung capacity (30%) and emphysema. She sounded frail and yet feisty at the same time. I love “A Good Read” and I’m glad this episode was recorded.

So pleased to see the messages on this thread. I am a fan of Vanessa Redgrave and a fan of 'A Good Read ', but I too felt uncomfortable listening to her and the dynamics on the programme. I thought she behaved very badly towards Harriet and disagreed with everything she said, seemingly for the sake of it, and at times speaking to her in a rude and patronising way whilst sucking up to Eileen Atkins who I also like very much. I found it uncomfortable to listen to and I did feel for Harriet who remained professional throughout. Bad behaviour Vanessa.

Just listened to this doing a Marie Kondo on my cupboards and had to stop. I too was shocked , not only by Redgrave's apparent frailty, but the way she kept cutting Harriet off and being most disagreeable, yet fawning over Atkins. She seemed poised for conflict, and by choosing a doorstop of a book on a niche subject was also being difficult and perhaps a little too clever. It was very uncomfortable listening.

I too felt uncomfortable listening to Vanessa. I have always admired her as an actor so this was disappointing. I felt she belittled and sidelined Harriet Gilbert who is an excellent presenter and facilitator. The difference in the way she spoke to Harriet and Eileen Atkins was excruciatingly noticeable. As previous contributors have mentioned, I can only put this down to failing health, but at times her comments came across as extremely rude and dismissive, and it is a tribute to Harriet’s professionalism that she navigated the situation so tactfully.

I was driving home from seeing Hamlet in Windsor late on Friday night and was almost squirming in the dark for the lovely and ever patient and professional presenter. I would love to know what EA thought as it must have been excruciating for her to be part of the conversation. Very condescending and rude behaviour.

I too listened to this programme. It's always really informative and I often get great recommendations for new books to read. But this was excruciating. Vanessa Redgrave was just rude and condescending. She will always speak her mind, but it seemed as though she was going out of her way to be confrontational. Harriet Gilbert was gracious and accommodating, but I wanted to wring Vanessa's neck. Her comments were distracting and detracted from an otherwise high quality programme.

I think Vanessa has cognitive problems, and this doesn’t excuse her behaviour but her obvious breathing difficulties due to COPD may have affected her brain function. She obviously hadn’t read Harriet’s book choice and couldn’t comprehend that it wasn’t all about “the play”. She was off at a tangent giving her review of “the play” and didn’t seem to understand Harriet’s references to the book. I thought she seemed embarrassed by her own lack of comprehension and also seemed to blame Harriet and over compensate by enthusing over Eileen. It really was a shocking listen in some ways and I was surprised that it was aired. Harriet Gilbert was superb throughout. It was like watching live TV back in the day when things went wrong, the set fell over or people corpses. Cringeworthy and a bit farcical. I know that Vanessa can be forthright and rude at times but this went far beyond that.

I admire Vanessa Redgrave for her acting ability, but otherwise find her insufferably opinionated & self-righteous.

Although priggish & patronising, I felt somewhat sorry for Redgrave as her faculties are starting to wane & possibly this may be one of her last broadcasts.

Harriet ever professional & Eileen ever delightful.

having read all your comments above, i went to find the programme.
wow. yes. i agree.

I'd almost forgotten! It was indeed excruciating. Agree with pretty much everything everyone has said.

I've listened to A Good Read forever. Never heard anything like that episode before.

@UniversalAunt , what you said. Oh and I like your name.