Burton and Taylor

Never.

Never. Never.

Never, never, never.

Liz, Liz, Liz.

OK. Ladies and gentlemen,

we're here to announce our theatre company's next production.

Noel Coward's comic masterpiece, "Private Lives",

starring none other than Miss Elizabeth Taylor

and one of the greatest stage actors of all time, Mr Richard Burton.

Does this mean marriage number three for you and Richard?

No, I can assure you that Richard and I have entered into this venture

for purely creative reasons. And, it seemed to me

that since Richard had, not so very long ago, spectacularly re-conquered

Broadway in Equus and Camelot, then I really ought to cash in on the fact

that I was pretty certain I had his phone number somewhere at home.

Richard, can you confirm that?

What, that she had my phone number?

No, we, er, we want to showcase a great play.

We, er, believe it's long overdue a revival.

So absolutely no plans to get back together again?

- None. - But you don't mind people thinking that?

People can think what they like.

We're, er, we're actors about to do a play together.

But the ad in today's New York Times, which I gather, Miss Taylor,

you designed yourself, that kind of begs the question.

It's just an advert.

A heart with an arrow through it and the words - "together again".

Well, erm, of course it says that.

That's the... that's the whole basis for Private Lives.

I mean, it's not like she's used a photo of us

and the words, "twice spliced," is it?

That would have made no sense in the context of the play.

Liz! Liz!

The car's this way.

Elizabeth!

- Richard? - Can I...?

You OK? OK.

Come on, let's wait in the lobby.

God, it's a bloody circus.

Why didn't you tell me

you were going to put an ad in the paper?

I felt like a bloody idiot. And the wording?

It didn't occur to you it might cause a bit of a stir?

It was last minute, Richard!

I just suddenly thought, what a great idea! To get people talking.

Which it has done. The pre-sales have gone through the roof!

You know, plenty of people told me not to do this.

Well, nobody's said a single bad word to me about it,

so you must just have wussy advisors!

I ignored them. I go my own way. You know that.

Sure, I do.

Well, don't let me regret it.

I'm ready now, Chen.

Toodle-oo!

Daddy! Daddy!

- Maria. - Hi.

Liza, how are you, love?

Thank God you made it. We were worried.

What are you wearing?

It's a mink.

- Is it too much? - No.

I just... I didn't want to seem like an old codger.

Richard!

Richard Burton!

Mom's been celebrating a lot. See you later.

Where were you?

I'm sorry I'm late, I'm... technical stuff.

What, for a poetry recital?

Can't they just twiddle a few knobs on the night?

We're charging quite a lot of money. Can't afford any cock ups.

Thank you. Here we are.

No, I, I don't. I told you on the phone.

Sure you did. Very occasionally, I...

That's what I imagined you'd be doing.

All the same. I... I'll have a Tab if they've got one.

Oh, I love this one. Come on, let's dance, let's dance.

I can't, I can't. I'm...

Richard! It's my birthday. I get what I want!

You get what you want anyway!

Oh, kitten. Watch and learn.

That's better.

Whoa. Don't you just want to sit down for a bit?

No, I don't! I, I am 50 years of age, Richard

and I just announced it to the world.

I want to get drunk and dance a lot!

Thank you.

Now this one I do know.

# You mean I've been dancin' on the floor, darlin'

Oh, for a glass of vintage that hath been

Cool'd a long age in the deep-delved earth.

That's a vodka, right?

No, no, no, I-I've had enough.

I don't want to be half cut for the recital.

I couldn't bear that.

Hello, pockmark.

Hello, lumpy.

Been a good night. We played a blinder.

Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure you would.

How long has it been? I was trying to remember.

Five years. God.

Yes, thank heaven for the newspapers!

Oh, Christ, this bloody neck.

I swear, Elizabeth, at times I'm like a cripple!

I had to do these fight scenes in Camelot.

Some nights I hardly had the strength to pull my sword

out of it's sheathe and wave it around a bit.

How very unlike you, Richard.

Stop it!

You've the mind of a collier!

I'm going to do King Lear next.

I spoke to a producer who says he'll back it.

You'll be fantastic.

Well, I'd better...

Don't! Stay. Stay here! Just stay!

It's not anything else.

Just... how do you fuck, anyway? You can barely move.

There are ways and means, my love.

Do you remember that train we took to New York?

We just lay there and let the rocking of the carriage do the job.

You know, I really should go.

No! No, no, I meant it, Richard! I meant it!

I'll make some tea and you can read a book

and then, erm, you can sleep.

What's she like?

Hmmm?

Your new girlfriend. Sally?

Do you really want to talk about that?

Oh just... what sort of woman is she? I'm interested.

She's lovely.

Hmm. Good.

Victor's a lawyer. He's Mexican and he's charming.

Terrific.

Somebody told me she was like Sybil.

My wife Sybil?

Yeah. Your ex wife.

Who told you that, anyway? She's... What? What's she like?

I'm sorry. I...

Go to your room! It's three o'clock.

Richard, I had an idea about doing another play, a Coward.

Elizabeth! I swear to God, if you don't shut up,

I'm going to climb out of this bed, get in my car and drive back

to The Dorchester in my bloody underpants!

Oh, Christ.

I'm here. I'm here. I'm here. I'm here.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

Elizabeth.

I'm so sorry I'm late.

- It's quite all right. Was there a problem? - No.

Hi. I'm Elizabeth.

- I'm John, nice to meet you. - Hi, John.

- Hi, I'm Kathryn. - Hi Kathryn! Hi, Jane.

Hi.

Hello, Richard.

Hello, Elizabeth.

OK. Let's make a start!

If you want to pull up some chairs, we'll have a little read.

I got you a present.

It's tradition! The producer always buys the star a little welcome gift.

Sorry, everyone.

It's fine. We got ages. Chen, I need my Coke.

Right here.

Open it.

Oh, it's beautiful. Isn't it?

Gorgeous.

It's Cartier.

So. If we could get started. We break for lunch in 20.

Of course.

Thank you, darling.

I have your bag up there.

Thank you. Thank you. You can all go, babe.

Come on, guys, let's leave them to it.

Christ, if we have that many turn up on our first night,

we'll consider ourselves blessed.

Great. So... can I first welcome you all...

I am so looking forward to this. Can I just say that?

A great director,

great fellow actors and a play which, I'm sure,

will do none of us a disservice.

Well, it seems to have passed muster so far in its life.

I know. I can't wait to read it.

Elizabeth.

What?

Well I'd rather assumed you might... What, read it? God, no. No.

I always make it a rule never to look at anything

until I'm starring in it. Keeps it fresh.

What you've never read it?! Ever?

I mean, you didn't think it might be a good idea just to take

a glance before we got going?

No, I told you, I like to keep things fresh.

That's why rehearsals are called rehearsals.

Don't lecture me on the bloody theatre.

OK. I tell you what,

let's take lunch now, come back at two prompt, and start over again.

How's that sound?

I'll just get my bag.

See you later. See you.

Richard? He seem OK to you?

What?

Milton. Bailed kind of early.

I think he'll be fine. He has an excellent reputation.