Quentin quote, unquote

"The very purpose of existence is to reconcile the glowing opinion we have of ourselves with the appalling things that other people think about us."

Quentin as Queen!

For the first time in ages I watched tonight Orlando, the film in which Quentin Crisp portrays Queen Elizabeth I in her dying days.

Quentin records making this film in his New York diaries Resident Alien Resident Alien and was one of the occasions he returned to England after he emigrated to the United States in 1981.

Here is a short extract from the 1997 film, written and directed by Sally Potter, and starring Tilda Swinton as Orlando and also featuring singer Jimmy Somerville.

Quentin quote, unquote

"If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style."

Meeting Mr Crisp

A short clip of Tim Fountain meeting Quentin Crisp at his room in New York.

Quentin quote, unquote

"No matter where you go, there you are."

The Naked Civil Servant

As was reported last autumn, John Hurt is reprising the role of Quentin Crisp more than 30 years after he portrayed the celebrated Stately Homo of England in the television play The Naked Civil Servant.

The new film will concentrate on Quentin Crisp’s life in New York, his adopted home, in the 1990’s and will be based on his bestselling diaries Resident Alien.

For more information about this story visit The Quentin Crisp Archives

For a reminder of John Hurt's critically-acclaimed performance, here are a couple of links to extracts of The Naked Civil Servant and The Naked Civil Servant - hard times

Quentin quote, unquote

"It would be less depressing to be alcoholic than to be anonymous."

An Evening with Quentin Crisp

Quentin quote, unquote

"I like living in one room and have never known what people do with the room they are not in."

An Englishman in New York