Redgrave honoured with Bard award

The veteran actor Corin Redgrave was honoured yesterday for his efforts in promoting the works of William Shakespeare throughout his four-decade film, television and stage career.

The veteran actor Corin Redgrave was honoured yesterday for his efforts in promoting the works of William Shakespeare throughout his four-decade film, television and stage career.

The star, whose movie roles have included performances in A Man for All Seasons and Four Weddings and a Funeral, collected the Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award for his commitment to the Bard.

Redgrave, 65, follows an illustrious list of previous recipients, including Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Peter Hall and Dame Judi Dench.

The actor - the brother of Vanessa and Lynn, and the son of Sir Michael Redgrave - has accepted a huge variety of contemporary and historical roles since finding fame in the early 1960s. But a common thread has been his frequent appearance in Shakespearean roles on stage and on screen. These have included TV adaptations of Measure for Measure and Antony and Cleopatra.

Yesterday's award tied in with celebrations for the anniversary of the playwright's birth in 1564 at the Royal Shakespeare Company's base in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

Collecting his award, Redgrave said: "I am hugely honoured to be the recipient of the Pragnell award. When I saw the list of previous award winners, I was at a loss to think how I could have found myself in their company.

"Nevertheless it's a great privilege to be recognised for something so dear to my heart."

Redgrave has a long association with the RSC - as does the rest of the acting dynasty - and his recent work for the company has included the title role of King Lear in both Stratford and London, for which he won acclaim from critics. He followed in his father's footsteps by taking the role, and he has also directed Shakespeare dramas including Julius Caesar.

Redgrave will soon be seen playing the Prime Minister in a BBC1 film, The Girl in the Café, a romantic drama made by the Four Weddings writer Richard Curtis, set against the backdrop of the G8 Summit which takes place in July.