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furtivenudist
Wishing And Hoping
182 Posts |
 Posted - 26/05/2007 : 03:13:10
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Years ago I saw Quentin Crisp’s one man show in a small club called SNAFU on 6th Ave in New York. He was mesmerizing. In the second half of the evening he answered questions from the audience on all sorts of topics, like a gay agony aunt, dispensing wise and practical advice.
Some time later I was reading his book “Manners From Heaven” and it said that he’s always available for dinner and his phone number is in the book. I called my friend, a retired Polish actress, and she said she’ll cook if I bring him over.
So I called and invited him to dinner. How very kind, he said. Then I called my friend Steve, a gay cabaret performer and invited him too. Better have a good looking gay guy around to smooth out the evening.
On the appointed day I caught a cab, went to 3rd St in the East Village and rang Quentin Crisp’s doorbell. He came down just as it was starting to rain cats and dogs. There he was with his lavender hair and velvet jacket. We took the cab up 3rd Ave to the 70s. Quentin Crisp lived in a single room with a bathroom down the hall. It didn’t matter - he went out every night anyway.
Quentin Crisp had a question for me. His neighbor kept leaving dead mice on his doorstep and what should he do about it?
Why, Mr. Crisp (it was always Mr. Crisp, never Quentin), you should follow your own advice from your book. You must thank your neighbor. This made him really laugh. But, of course, he said, it’s the only thing to do.
The rain was really coming down hard now, 3rd Avenue was jammed with traffic and suddenly our cab stalled and refused to start. We had broken down in the middle of the road. Our cab driver offered to find us another cab and leapt out into the rain. Cars were whizzing by and Quentin Crisp raised his arms to the heavens and wailed “What is to become of us?”
We found another cab and arrived at the dinner party soaked.
It was a wonderful evening and Quentin Crisp certainly sang for his supper - he was very entertaining. We mainly discussed great movie stars like Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, his movie column and his appearances on David Letterman. He said the secret of being a good TV guest is simple - look pleased to be there. One of the best dinner parties ever.
A few months later I was the MC at an AIDS benefit and Quentin Crisp was one of the performers. We were sitting backstage and he asked me to open a can of beer for him - his fingernails were too long. I, of course, picked his brain. What do you think of all the gay rights marches? People think they have rights, but they don’t. If we got everything we deserved we’d all starve to death, he said. What’s the most important advice to get through life graciously? Never say no to anyone, instead say “I’m not worthy”. If someone says “Would you marry me?” and you don’t fancy them just say “I’m not worthy”.
A little while later the organizer of the benefit told me Quentin Crisp would go on first and then I would follow. Just as the lights went down and the music started, Quentin Crisp and I were standing in the wings. “Are you going on first?” he asked. “Mr. Crisp, I’m not worthy”. This really cracked him up and he went on stage chuckling.
I ran into Quentin Crisp all the time in the Village, had many more evenings with him - what a gentle, brave, witty and wise soul. He’s my inspiration - he had the best time of his life in his seventies and eighties. That should give us all hope.
It’s so ironic he passed in Manchester and not his beloved New York.
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2672 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2007 : 13:57:21
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Interesting anecdotes, FN! Quentin Crisp was such a fascinating person.
I love this music video by Sting: Englishman in New York
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JovJV-ROyF0
Lyrics:
"Englishman In New York"
I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If, "Manners maketh man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If, "Manners maketh man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Linda |
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treking
Wasn't Born To Follow
United Kingdom
5586 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2007 : 22:55:43
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He certainly was a one off.
I watched a repeat of The Naked Civil Servant recently where John Hurt played Quentin Crisp--very good portrayal.
I didn't realise he spent so long in NY.
He strikes me as being a very brave and unique individual.
Thanks for the story FN--I've only just caught up with it.
Trek
We are here for Dusty. |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13245 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2007 : 23:22:13
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FN....Dare I say .
" We're not worthy"..
Great story, as usual.
Cxx |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2672 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2007 : 01:04:11
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The other day I was in a bookstore and, though I didn't actually go looking for "The Naked Civil Servant", I happened to see a copy while looking for another title. I picked it up and am halfway through right now. It's a fantastic book. Definately not a quick-read. Don't be multi-tasking while reading this book, it requires your full attention. Some sentences are so brilliant they require a re-read. It's a funny and intriguing book.
Linda |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13245 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2007 : 06:57:43
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Re above:
Plot summary for
The Naked Civil Servant (1975) (TV)
The life and times of Quentin Crisp, an outrageous and flamboyant homosexual, coming of age and growing into old age in conservative England.
Carole R xx
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treking
Wasn't Born To Follow
United Kingdom
5586 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2007 : 08:53:11
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The book is brilliant Linda --keep reading.
I never linked An English Man in New York to Crisp but reading the lyrics --it could have been written about him!
Trek
We are here for Dusty. |
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Littlebylittle
Wishing And Hoping
United Kingdom
449 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2007 : 22:57:24
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| You all need to track down Mr Crisp's books. I think he did a film review book amongst other things. Wise words and a very interesting read. |
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Lindakron
Sweet Inspiration
Canada
2672 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2007 : 23:48:30
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quote:
Originally posted by treking
The book is brilliant Linda --keep reading.
I never linked An English Man in New York to Crisp but reading the lyrics --it could have been written about him!
Trek
We are here for Dusty.
The story is that Sting did in fact write it about QC. Apparently Sting was amazed with him when they met for the first time.
Linda |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13245 Posts |
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