‘I sobbed at each curtain name’
As quickly as I heard her utter the road from California Suite: “Discreet? […] you probably did every part however lick his artichoke,” I knew my life was modified for ever. I used to be 11 years previous – it’s a love affair that has lasted practically 50 years. I noticed her 10 instances on stage and sobbed at each curtain name. Her efficiency in The Method of the World was probably the most electrifying efficiency I ever noticed on stage. I’ll miss her terribly. By some means life appears a bit hole with out her in it.
I bought to talk to her just a few instances, as soon as after a efficiency of Mattress Among the many Lentils. I felt it finest to not say something effusive as I used to be at all times anxious that I’d obtain a withering so I spluttered: “While you mentioned: ‘Discreet, you probably did every part however lick his artichoke’ in California Suite I knew I needed to be an actor.” She regarded me up and down and mentioned: “It’s a really overrated vegetable.” Tim Prepare dinner, former actor and trainer, Australia
‘I noticed her on the Edinburgh competition within the Fifties and was mesmerised’
I noticed Maggie Smith within the 50s on the Edinburgh competition. The excitement was going round that there was this extraordinary red-haired woman within the Cambridge Footlights revue. I went to see her at a really small venue and was mesmerised by this charismatic, delicate creature who was one way or the other “totally different”. She had a tray of cigarettes that hung from a strap round her neck and sang a quantity about being a cigarette woman within the cinema (they nonetheless existed then) and the way she longed to be up there on the display. She didn’t have lengthy to attend! Donald, France
‘I used to be touched to obtain a bit reward from her’
Maggie Smith slipped into the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco to make Sister Act on the formidable Catholic church, St Paul’s. She managed to tuck herself away in a neighborhood bakery cafe when not on set (and it was a manufacturing with lots of down time for lead actors). I instructed my husband (her safety individual on set) to please go alongside my heat appreciation and to say I didn’t wish to hassle her. When she completed her half within the movie and left the manufacturing my husband was handed an empty glass vase with a observe “for Equipment”. So, from Maggie Smith a bit reward. I used to be touched. Equipment, San Francisco, California, US
‘This information has made me miss my grandma’
I keep in mind watching the Unique Marigold Lodge, after which the Girl within the Van with my grandma. She was lots like Maggie when it comes to her fast wit and no-nonsense perspective. My grandma handed away two years in the past and, in her remaining month on end-of-life care, she joked that at the very least she wouldn’t should see the day the world misplaced Dame Maggie Smith. This devastating information has made me miss my sharp-tongued grandma simply that little bit extra. Jorden, Derbyshire
‘Her efficiency in The Girl within the Van was incandescent’
I noticed The Girl within the Van in London’s West Finish. The play was completely exceptional, hilarious and wondrous. Her efficiency was incandescent. Surprisingly, probably the most wonderful second was her curtain name. When she first bowed to our thunderous applause, she remained in character. Because the applause continued, she bowed, and whereas she was bowing down, she dropped her character, and arose as herself. It was a virtuoso second. I’ll always remember seeing her character bow, after which Dame Maggie Smith come up from the bow. It was beautiful, vivid. Maggie Smith was my lifelong favorite actor. Might she go forth shining from this world, our hymns of reward and wails of grief echoing as she flies free from mortality, to dwell without end among the many stars within the firmament. Caroline, Olympia, Washington, US
‘After I met her at Wimbledon she mentioned she preferred to signal “Margaret Smith”’
About 20 years in the past, I used to be on the Wimbledon tennis championships and noticed Maggie Smith strolling alone on the concourse. Having admired her stage performances over quite a lot of years, I approached her and requested if she could be type sufficient to signal my programme. I had no concept that she was obsessed with tennis. We chatted briefly, and with out hesitation as she gave me her autograph, she mentioned: “I hope you don’t thoughts – however when I’m right here I wish to signal ‘Margaret Smith’.” We laughed. Margaret Smith of Australia was – and is – probably the most profitable feminine tennis participant of all time. Paul, London
‘She inspired the opposite solid members to offer me a spherical of applause’
I’m an employment lawyer and worker relations specialist. Since #MeToo many movie and manufacturing firms require solid and crew to attend obligatory respect within the office coaching to make sure that the working setting stays inclusive and respectful for all and other people know how one can elevate issues.
I ran such inclusivity coaching on the most recent Downton Abbey film, just about, quickly after Covid restrictions had lifted. Having been an employment lawyer for over 10 years, I don’t normally get nervous with public talking. Nevertheless, when performing favourites like Imelda Staunton, Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith had been showing on my display, I’ll admit I did should take just a few further deep breaths to compose myself. Maggie Smith joined from her kitchen desk, together with her grandson kindly serving to her navigate the digital camera settings so she may very well be totally seen and current.
I at all times ended my periods by asking attendees if they’d any questions or issues. I’d typically be met with silence (which I’d take because the messages had been all obtained nicely!). This time Maggie Smith made the purpose of claiming: “I don’t suppose anybody has any questions, however thanks for the session – it was very well offered and I believe we must always all provide you with a spherical of applause,” and proceeded to encourage the opposite solid members to hitch in.
It was a beautiful gesture and has been my go-to banquet anecdote ever since. Dame Maggie was a beautiful girl who I and lots of others will miss dearly. Richard Taylor, 39, employment laywer, London
‘A tour de drive’
Maggie Smith was a tour de drive. She had every part, the Aristocracy, sharp wit and a seemingly simple means of referring to life and fairly Britishly making not a lot fuss about it. She was merely grand, pleasant, distinguished, and one of many best dames I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness in my life. Alas, there should not many left. Stefan, 60, translator, Portugal
‘A kind of uncommon, actually formidable forces’
It has been 23 years and I can’t keep in mind if I first noticed her in Gosford Park or the primary Harry Potter movie, however all these years later, it was the previous movie that seared her in my thoughts as a kind of uncommon, actually formidable forces and a pleasure to observe in any film. Like all nice public personalities, one feels a definite sense of loss on the loss of life of 1 akin to Dame Smith. Extra so, one wonders if the actors of that period – those that age with grace – would ever come round once more, if the present technology would grow to be these actors in flip. Shiuan, Japan
‘She shot again at me and I laughed lots’
We had been driving again from the set of Tea With Mussolini after a day’s filming. Maggie had a painful ear and was sticking her finger in it and I tentatively mentioned, as I used to be very not sure of my footing, that she shouldn’t actually do this. She shot again in her ubiquitous method: “I do know. You shouldn’t put something in your ear smaller than your elbow.” I laughed lots. Tessa, London
‘Took my boyfriend to see her in Breath of Life on our first date’
The primary correct date I took my boyfriend on concerned flying to London from Sydney to see Maggie Smith and Judi Dench in David Hare’s Breath of Life in 2002. Elegant performances and witty dialogue, with a very caustic change on the expense of People. When delivered, an enormous guffaw was heard, and all heads turned to see Invoice Clinton within the viewers with Hillary. Maggie remained sticky in character, however shot a mischievous look. The date was successful, and we’ve been collectively ever since. Matthew, Sydney
‘I met her early this yr – her wit each bit as biting’
I met Dame Maggie in January this yr. She was recovering from a severe operation and everybody there knew she was not nicely. She knew my mom, so we sat and chatted to her for a while. Her thoughts was sharp and centered as ever and her wit each bit as biting. One of the crucial extraordinary presences I’ve ever seen on stage and one of many wittiest girls that ever was on display. She is irreplaceable. Anna, London
‘Impressed by Maggie Smith in Downton, I needed my grandma title to be “Dowie”’
About 10 years in the past, lengthy earlier than my daughter had youngsters, she requested me what I needed my grandma title to be. Impressed by the regal presence of Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey, I mentioned: “Why, the Dowager Countess Linda P after all.”
Quick ahead to some years in the past, she went into labour early, and after a nerve-racking day not listening to from her, she referred to as and requested if I needed to fulfill my grandson. She leaned over his bassinet and mentioned: “Charlie, that is your Dowie.” She instructed me when she talked to him in utero about me, she shortened my title as a result of he was so younger and that Dowie was simpler for a child to grasp.
So within the area of 1 second, I discovered my grandson’s title, and my very own grandmother title. I’ve been Dowie ever since. Linda, Maryland, US
‘We are going to keep in mind her fondly and so long as we stay’
Tears pour down my cheeks as I write this. My associate and I quote her dialogues from her banter with Judi Dench’s character within the Greatest Unique Marigold Lodge movies: “Simply because I’m taking a look at you, doesn’t imply I’m ;” the record goes on and on. We are going to miss her. We are going to cherish her. We are going to keep in mind her fondly and so long as we stay. Manish, Germany
‘I dropped a wordless curtsey and she or he smiled’
Within the days of Jean Brodie fame, I used to be flicking by means of a rail of designer clothes in Harvey Nichols – and there was Maggie Smith on the opposite facet – doing the identical. Completely starstruck, and rendered speechless, I stared at her with my mouth agape. As I used to be already weak on the knees, I dropped a wordless curtsey. She smiled, nodded in thanks and I disappeared in confusion, feeling unworthy to ask for her autograph. Now I understand how “non-public” she was, I’m so glad I didn’t blow her cowl. I keep in mind being struck by how comparatively tiny she was – her standing was such that on display, she appeared six toes tall. Gladys, Poole
‘I used to be delighted to see her’
My husband, I and two pals went to the RSC at Stratford-on-Avon in 2004 to see Hamlet starring Toby Stephens. It was press night time and there was an actual buzz within the lobby. We had been ready to gather tickets and I observed a circle of individuals conspicuously standing spherical somebody. I recognised that it was Maggie Smith and her household had created a protecting barrier round her. I used to be delighted to see her however mentioned nothing, simply smiled at her.
Encompassed in her enormous eyes as she returned my look was the message: “Don’t you dare come over” but additionally a light curiosity of: “Do I do know you?” I smiled once more and turned away, respecting her privateness. It was solely throughout the play that I remembered Stephens was her son. I believed how nerve-racking for him that his mum, Maggie Smith, was watching and likewise how nerve-racking for her, not eager to steal his limelight by her presence. Auriel, 68, retired drama and English trainer, Leicester
‘I ran into her in M&S and was starstruck’
I as soon as had the good honour of bumping into Dame Maggie Smith at our native Marks & Spencer. Starstruck, the one factor I might handle to say was: “I’ve seen your entire movies.” Together with her trademark wit and humility, she replied: “I’m positive you’ve got higher issues to do.” That second captured every part fantastic about her: the easy grace, the humour, and the humility that endeared her to audiences. The world has misplaced not solely one of many best dames to have ever lived but additionally, for me, the best Desdemona. Amirreza, London
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