THE number of people who turned up to see the actor Michael Pennington was not large, perhaps 35 or 40 people.

But those who came were treated to an evening of fascinating stories from a man who is one of the country’s best actors.

He has been enormously successful having created, with another director, the English Shakespeare Company and played in it throughout the world.

Perhaps, though, the best part of what he said related to other actors. One was John Gielgud, who “adored” Laurence Olivier and gave him great credit – which Olivier did not often do himself to other actors.

The late Harold Pinter came in for particular praise. He was regarded as bad-tempered in public, but within the theatre, rehearsing a play or film, “was marvellous with actors”.

One fascinating insight was that Michael thought actors should change a script slightly each night, to keep it fresh.

He saw Paul Scofield doing this when playing Shakespeare, by changing pitch or intonation of a certain word.

He added that he thought the standard of theatre criticism in this country was not good, though some critics could be helpful.

The critics are better in New York where they write at greater length and are fairer.

John Docherty