The winner is Siān Phillips.
(CLAUDIUS THEME PLAYS)
Another joint award and another very popular one here.
Siān Phillips, born in Bettws in Carmarthenshire,
began her professional career on the BBC Welsh Home Service.
That was at the tender age of eleven. She subsequently studied at RADA.
Appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1961,
and many films, including things like Becket, Laughter in the Dark, Goodbye Mr Chips.
I promise you you will get to heaven.
An in-joke, but you never know!
I've nothing to say.
Well, when one is given two great parts to play,
written by Elaine Morgan and Jack Pulman,
and given Herbert Wise and Donny Wilson to direct,
one doesn't really expect anything else.
Frankly, doing I, Claudius and How Green Was My Valley
was like going to two very long and hilarious family parties.
One was a little more respectable than the other, I admit!
So one doesn't really expect anything else.
So you can imagine with what excessive pleasure and gratitude I receive this.
I would just like to express my indebtedness to Martin Lisemore,
who produced both these shows, and whose...
loving care and drive made them not only a success, which they are,
but also provided the very loving, warm atmosphere in which we did the work.
He will be loved and remembered by everyone who worked with him.
Hear hear.
(APPLAUSE)
And the winner is Derek Jacobi for I, Claudius.
(CLAUDIUS THEME PLAYS)
A few weeks ago, Derek Jacobi picked up the Variety Club Award for the same part.
Born in London, appearances with the National Youth Theatre,
then went on to appear with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National.
He made his London debut at the Old Vic.
Your Royal Highness, ladies and gentlemen.
When I was told that I'd been nominated for this award,
I felt very proud and very thrilled,
but philosophically thought that was prize enough.
I couldn't envisage what it would be like to stand here.
Now that I am, holding it in my hand,
I must ask your forgiveness if I'm too excited and stunned
to present you with a polished and coherent acceptance speech.
Um, it's obviously the night of the stammerers.
(LAUGHTER)
I would, however, like to play tribute - a very admiring and genuine tribute -
to my three fellow nominees, any one of whom could have been standing here.
(APPLAUSE)
I don't think that any one actor or performance wins awards,
except when that actor is fortunate enough
to be at the focal point of the talents of so many other people.
In I, Claudius, I was lucky enough to be in that position.
This award is a recognition of their work as well as mine.
So on their behalf - and I know that's a phrase that's often used on these occasions,
but that doesn't make it one iota less valid.
It's always true. No actor does it alone.
We all need the help and advice of others to produce our best.
So on their behalf as well as my own, I would like to say a very, very sincere
and totally overwhelmed thank you. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Let's remind ourselves of Derek Jacobi's award-winning performance in I, Claudius.
As he himself said, a rather stammering young man.
- Do you like history? - Yes.
Who in the devil are you? Livy called you Claudius.
I'm Tiberius Claudius...
Drusus Nero Germanicus.
Oh, that Claudius. They told me you were a halfwit.
Well, my f-family's ashamed of me because I...
stammer, and I'm lame and my head twitches.
Yes. I've noticed that.
- Can't you stop it? - No.
The doctors said I m-might grow out of it.
Why were you reading my History of the Civil Wars?
Oh, I'm gathering material for a life of my f-father and g-grandfather.
Oh, I remember them.
They both b-believed in the Republic.
I know they did. That's why they died.
I'm sure that for those of you who, like me, have followed this series avidly,
the award could not possibly have gone to anybody else.
For a performance of sustained brilliance in I, Claudius,
the winner is Derek Jacobi.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
Lord Delfont, Chief Barker.
I think the chief characteristic that I share with the Emperor Claudius
is an acute nervousness at the thought of standing up in public and making a speech.
For him, there were many obvious reasons.
If I suddenly start twitching and stammering, I assure you that it's nervous excitement
and I'm not trying to audition for a forthcoming Claudius Rides Again!
A simple thank you seems inadequate gratitude for the honour of this award,
but I do thank most sincerely the Variety Club.
And while I'm conscious of the great pleasure and fun of an occasion like this,
for me, as for everybody connected with I, Claudius, it is tinged with sadness.
I hope you'll forgive me if I use this opportunity publicly
to discharge a personal debt.
Three very talented men were responsible for putting I, Claudius onto the TV screen.
Jack Pulman, who wrote the scripts, Herbert Wise, who directed us all,
and most important of all and most poignantly, Martin Lisemore,
who directed the entire series with enormous enthusiasm and vitality,
and vision and care and expertise, and whose original brainchild it all was.
He is the reason that I'm standing here today and he is the reason for my regret
because he will never know that I'm standing here.
As most of you know, a few days ago, Martin was killed in a car crash,
with so much left unfinished and unattempted.
But the success of Claudius was his success and his achievement.
An achievement of which I am inexpressibly proud and happy
and lucky to have been part.
So with your kind indulgence, I would like to dedicate my thanks for this marvellous award,
with my love, to him. Thank you.