"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Original Broadway cast - Opening scene part 2

[poetcomic1]

Hill sounds like Carl Reiner doing Alan Brady on the Dick Van Dyke Show. Uta is in the role all the way and gives all.

[poetcomic1]

Hill sounds like Carl Riener doing Alan Brady on the Dick Van Dyke Show. Uta is in the role all the way and gives all.

[patnstephen2]

I take class in NYC from Austin Pendleton - one of Uta's students for years - He teaches her methods and tells us the history of working with her at HB. She was amazing, even in audio her power comes across because she always gave us more things to feel than things to see. AMAZING!

[9raider]

SHE IS FLAWLESS!!! NATURAL! Martha is real!

[swannavon]

Hill sounds a little like a radio announcer.

[rbeattie123]

I've always regretted missing the OB Cast of this show. I love the movie, but Uta Hagen created this role. You can hear echoes of her in Taylor's performance. Hill sounds like he's performing on a radio comedy, and I prefer Burton's interpretation.

[mybreathinbreathout]

Uta Hagen was like a semi-enlightened person in the theatre world. Her insights in her teaching were experienced directly in her performance by the attentive audience.

I can't believe no one filmed her performances. What were they thinking?

[conewells]

Uta Hagen was one of those very RARE acting teachers who could back up her teaching with her amazing acting skill. The term "those who can't, teach." does NOT apply to Uta, obviously. And I can't believe that no one bothered to preserve her performance. What a crime!! That voice!

[kornpone]

I listened to this recording before I ever saw the movie and it completely spoiled the film for me. Both Burton and Taylor (way overrated) seemed mannered and wooden compared to Hagen and Hill. The performances here are so realistic it's like eavesdropping on people in the next room.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

@kornpone

You really disliked Burton and Taylor that much? I thought they had incredible chemistry, and that they gave incredible performances, fit for the screen.

Hagen is in a class of her own as a stage actress - I worship the woman and revere her book as the Bible of acting. Martha meant something different to Taylor than to Hagen, and George meant something different to Burton than to Hill. Apples and oranges.

[kornpone]

@AtLastOnTheGround

Obviously a lot of people's first exposure to the work was through the film, which influences their feelings about the performances. In my case it was the opposite - I heard the original cast first. My feelings about Taylor's performance is a reaction to the endless gushing you hear about it. To me it was adequate, but it's very much Elizabeth Taylor playing Martha, while Uta Hagen is Martha.

[DreadedEd]

"my GOD, you can swill it down!"

i love that like

[Thewaiter525600]

I love "Respect for Acting". Even though she disowned it, It's absolutely incredible.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

Uta Hagen was amazing as Martha -- I don't hear an actress when I listen to this. I hear a living, breathing human being named Martha.

Not crazy about Hill, though. His line deliveries are mechanical and pre-conceived. Much prefer Burton.

[wlhardy]

I think Liz did as good a job in the movie as Uta did on Broadway but I like Burton better than Hill.

[epk921]

oh my gosh, to hear uta's voice .....

what an inspiration that woman was (and still is).

[HighKingTurgon]

I feel the same way. That's why I went looking for this.

[conewells]

way too short! where can one get the whole shebang?

[poetcomic1]

@conewells Its a rare 33 rpm

[mondaymarcs]

Acting from Uta Hagen here- I'm so amazed and touched.

[AJthemoviebuff]

Amazing. Uta Hagen was a genius!!

Edward Albee really scored with this play, which is easily the best play I have ever read.

[maxrm114]

Arthur Hill's delivery differs too much from Uta's...I much prefer Uta's.

[petersjj]

This recording is amazing. Uta Hagen is the greatest. I love her. Please post more!

[fuseologue]

Yes -

Bless you for this jewel of theater history.

LOVE LIVE THE QUEEN

[johnyzero2000]

Oh man where did you find this? Upload more I've always wanted to know how the original cast was? Especially Melinda Dillon's portrayal of Honey.

[aidensfilms]

Uta Hagen is a goddess... thank you so very much for posting this.