Anthony Page was the Royal Court theatre’s original choice to direct my play Rainbow Kiss in 2006, an unsolicited script that was chosen to occupy the theatre’s 50th anniversary slot. I was wildly excited to work with such a titan. Despite his fearsome reputation he was lovely to me and ambitious for me. Unfortunately he left the production when the Court was unable to accommodate a diary clash. The bloody spat showed me Anthony’s famed fierceness, but his replacement was Richard Wilson: magnificent, and tranquil.
Anthony and I remained friends. I adored his wisdom and frankness but also his unconscious loftiness. He had been utterly bewildered as to why David Tennant might not accept the lead in Rainbow Kiss having just assumed a role in something called Doctor Who.
