Something Else
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.You probably haven't heard of Gary Montgomery, the American actor. You will, though, have heard of his uncle, one Bernard Montgomery, First Viscount of Alamein and hero of WWII. Now the two Montgomerys have been rolled into one for a theatrical commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. Gary Montgomery's one-man show, An Evening with Field Marshal Montgomery, promises to be the closest thing to meeting Monty in the flesh you'll ever get: but then, after seeing the show you may be thankful you never got very close.
The piece starts as a series of reminiscences by Montgomery, nephew (above) - now in his sixties - about the man he knew from the age of eight. As the evening progresses, he dons battledress, complete with a beret bearing the two badges Monty wore at El Alamein, and becomes 'the lonely hero'. 'Putting on the moustache at the end of Act One is the final moment of transformation,' he explains. But Monty junior is not interested in 'bash the Bosch' speeches, dwelling instead on their falling-out in 1958. 'He used to befriend young boys who would hero- worship him, and if they started asking questions he would drop them. I was dropped.'
Since he freely admits that Monty would have been infuriated by the portrayal, and that he doesn't cover the D-Day landings - the ostensible reason for the tour - what seems to be driving Gary Montgomery is the knowledge that you can't beat a good tearjerker. As he says, 'I take him apart, but with an awful lot of love.' Dominic Cavendish
Barn Theatre, Tenterden, tonight to 22 May. Tour continues to 6 July (info: 071-262 5566)
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments