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Quote by Fanny Kemble

Work

Further Records, 1848-1883: A Series of Letters, Forming a Sequel to Record of a Girlhood, and Records of Later Life

This book is a continuation of the author's personal narrative, offering insights into their life and experiences during the specified period through a series of letters. more

Author

Fanny Kemble
Fanny Kemble

Fanny Kemble was a distinguished 19th-century English actress and writer. Born on November 27, 1809, and passing away on January 15, 1893, she was renowned for her acting prowess and literary contributions. Kemble's career on the stage was marked by her remarkable performances in Shakespearean and contemporary plays, and her transition to writing after her retirement from acting resulted in several notable works, including memoirs that offered a unique perspective on the life of an actress in the 19th century. She was also a vocal advocate for social and political issues, including women's rights and the abolition of slavery. more

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“A few years later, when I was still going to these meetings, I was also "second-acting" every Broadway show [walking in with the crowd after intermission]. I snuck in to see Grease with John Travolta in kind of a secondary part and Adrienne Barbeau playing Rizzo, into Pippin, hung out with Ben Vereen and Bob Fosse. It was an amazing time for a teenager.”

“I was 16 at the time, and I came backstage and started hanging out with them. I said, "Well, maybe you can 'vanish' the silk this way." The opening was a black stage while the "Magic to Do" song started playing. All you saw were hands, lit by Jules Fisher, and then Ben Vereen would appear beyond the hands, and at the end of the scene he would vanish a silk. The spotlight would hit a red spot on the floor where you'd see the silk on the floor. He'd pull the silk out of the floor and it became the entire set coming out of the floor.”

“I could vanish the silk better than Ben Vereen - that was for sure. So I think maybe they said, "Okay, maybe he has something to offer." Years pass and I get a bit of a career, and Ben Vereen ends up hosting one of my specials where I walked through the Great Wall of China. Things came full circle in kind of an ironic way, when you have that honor of people that have influenced you so much host your show. It's a huge experience in your life.”