Brian Bedford and Roundabout
By: Robert Diamond Dec. 15, 2010
This week From the Archives celebrates Brian Bedford, currently starring as Lady Bracknell in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.
Roundabout has had the pleasure of working with Mr. Bedford three times prior. In 1995, he played the two characters Sganarelle in The Molière Comedies, (staged at the Criterion Center Stage Right; directed by Michael Langham) which married "The School for Husbands" and "The Imaginary Cuckold". Mr. Bedford was nominated for a Tony Award® for his portrayals and critic Vincent Canby praised Mr. Bedford, stating in his NY Times review "[h]ere is classical theater as good as it can get". Bedford next appeared in our 1997 production of Dion L. Bouicault's London Assurance (staged at the Criterion Center Stage Right; directed by Joe Dowling), playing Sir Harcourt Courtly. Below, Mr. Bedford in period costume, designed by Catherine Zuber, during a staged performance.
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Brian Bedford in London Assurance, 1997. Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg
This production, as with The Molière Comedies, is available for viewing by appointment at the New York Public Library, Library for the Performing Arts, Theatre On Film and Tape.
Mr. Bedford was last seen on Roundabout's stage in our 2003 production of Molière's Tartuffe (staged at the American Airlines Theatre; directed by Joe Dowling). Again, he was nominated for a Tony Award® for his performance as Orgon, wonderfully played against Henry Goodman's Tartuffe.
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Brian Bedford and Henry Goodman in Tartuffe, 2003. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
We look forward to many more collaborations with Mr. Bedford. In the meantime, come see him in The Importance of Being Earnest at the American Airlines Theatre, performances beginning Friday, December 17.
The Roundabout Theatre Company Archives are made possible by a generous grant from the Leon Levy Foundation.
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