There have been three deaths we wanted to make a special note of this month.
Firstly, we heard the news this week that Michael Longley has died – a great poet and a lovely man who took part in two 26 projects, contributing poems to 26 treasures and Armistice. There was a beautiful tribute in this week’s newsletter from the Poetry Book Society.
Secondly, Rob Self-Pierson has lost his father. We wish him all the best, and you can read his Writer’s Life piece here, reflecting on difficult times, and paying tribute to his dad.
And finally, we have a note from Julian Gorham about the loss of the sublime, talented Tony Slattery.
The actor and comedian Tony Slattery, who has recently died, will be much missed by those who love words. I didn’t know him well, but I met him a few times. My brother Carl co-wrote the TV comedy Just a Gigolo which Tony was in. I went to a few recordings in Nottingham. Tony was a guest at my brother’s wedding. I was best man. Tony told me my best man’s speech was the best he’d heard. Even if he didn’t mean it, I have never forgotten. The room was full of the great and goon of the 80s and 90s, some of whom then performed the TV and radio commercials I wrote when working in advertising.
This was a time when turning on the TV meant turning on Tony Vision. Not only in hits like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, he was on the big screen too, in films like ‘Peter’s Friends’ and ‘How to Get Ahead in Advertising’. It has been well documented, but he was everywhere, until he wasn’t. Fame has a price. Appearing to do thing effortlessly takes effort.
Some mistook his creative confidence for arrogance and provocation. I heard that once, in a lift, someone said to him “Oi you’re the cxnt on TV!” Slattery replied, instantly, “And you’re the cxnt in the lift!”
Neil Mullarkey (Cambridge Footlights at the same time as Tony) wrote a lovely piece that appeared on LinkedIn last week. Founder of the Comedy Store Players, he also runs a successful business that teaches people how to improvise and collaborate at work. I heartily recommend both. Words working wonders, again.
I’m a new member of 26, but Editor Max and I thought that an organisation that promotes the power of words should celebrate someone from whom words and ideas simply poured. Tony Slattery. A genius with words. A real human being. And a very very funny man indeed.
– Julian Gorham