It's a common question: "If you could have a conversation with anyone from history, who would it be?". Of course many people when asked choose historical figures from past centuries; war leaders, architects of nations, even religious figures. For me, however, Orson Welles would be my choice, and since today (May 6th, 2015) would have been his 100th birthday, I see no better juncture than now to tell you why.
I first became aware of Orson Welles at a young age. Of course the continual whispers of his most famous work, Citizen Kane, echoed around my home, but apart from a few scenes here and there, I didn't actually see Kane in all its glory until well into my adult life. No, it was Welles' radio production of War of the Worlds which first introduced me to this great man.
It was during a storm as I sat there on the floor looking out the window - the huge sycamore thrashing violently against the wind and rain - and for the first time in my life I was introduced to the power of radio. I don't know why, but my dad had put the radio on, and there we both sat along with my mum and brother listening to a story form in our minds carried by every word, every breath from the characters inside that little box.
It would make the story so much more effective if I said it was Orson Welles' voice which I heard that evening, but it wasn't. In fact I don't remember what the play was, nor even the actors involved. All I can remember is being astounded by what could be achieved without pictures - pure storytelling. It was then that my mum and dad started talking about radio and some of the great plays of the past. This eventually led to a discussion of The War of the Worlds.
The War of the worlds! If ever there were a title to capture the imagination of a child that was it. My parents then told the stories which have often surrounded Orson Welles' production of this great story. Through the
I first became aware of Orson Welles at a young age. Of course the continual whispers of his most famous work, Citizen Kane, echoed around my home, but apart from a few scenes here and there, I didn't actually see Kane in all its glory until well into my adult life. No, it was Welles' radio production of War of the Worlds which first introduced me to this great man.
It was during a storm as I sat there on the floor looking out the window - the huge sycamore thrashing violently against the wind and rain - and for the first time in my life I was introduced to the power of radio. I don't know why, but my dad had put the radio on, and there we both sat along with my mum and brother listening to a story form in our minds carried by every word, every breath from the characters inside that little box.
It would make the story so much more effective if I said it was Orson Welles' voice which I heard that evening, but it wasn't. In fact I don't remember what the play was, nor even the actors involved. All I can remember is being astounded by what could be achieved without pictures - pure storytelling. It was then that my mum and dad started talking about radio and some of the great plays of the past. This eventually led to a discussion of The War of the Worlds.
The War of the worlds! If ever there were a title to capture the imagination of a child that was it. My parents then told the stories which have often surrounded Orson Welles' production of this great story. Through the
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