“John and I played the Goldsmith and the Silk Merchant who acted as a chorus, commenting on the action of the play. All our scenes were together and always started with a song accompanied by Stephen Oliver on piano.
“One night, John forgot the opening line of one of the songs. Stephen had given us a powerful and joyous introduction and then there was silence. I looked at John. John looked at me. The opening line was not going to be forthcoming! Stephen realised there was a problem and played the introduction again. Silence. I was desperately trying to remember what the line was. So was Stephen. John just smiled and said, “I’ve forgotten the line.” I said, “I think we’ve gathered that.” The audience started laughing. John said something like, “Will you sing your verse and perhaps I’ll then remember mine.” By which time the audience was roaring. A crisis became a wonderful and memorable event shared by all.”
Alan David – The Lorenzaccio Story at the RSC – Donmar Warehouse – 1978