�

Study GuideWritten by Dominic FrancisEdited by Hannah Clifford

This programme has been made possible by the generous support of Universal Consolidated Group

�

Contents

Section 1 Cast and Creative Team

Section 2 An introduction to Peter Morgan’s new play Historyman

Politicsandthemedia

Section 3 Background to FROST/NIXON FrostandNixoninthering

ProfilesofDavidFrostandRichardNixon

Watergate

Who’swho?

Achronologyofevents

Section 4 FROST/NIXON in performance Practicalandwrittenexercisesbasedonanextractfromtheplay

Questionsontheproductionandfurtherpracticalwork

AninterviewwithHamishPirie,AssistantDirectorforFROST/NIXON

Section 5 Ideas for further study Readingandresearch

Bibliography

Endnotes

�

CastandCreativeTeam

Cast

Frank Langella Richard Nixon,37thPresidentoftheUnitedStates,thefirsttoresignfromofficefollowingtheWatergatescandal.Threeyearslater,in1977,helivesinseclusioninCaliforniahopingtorehabilitatehiscareer.

Elliot Cowan Jim Reston,AmericanuniversitylecturerandstaunchcriticofNixon.HejoinsDavidFrost’steamasaresearcherandactsasanarratortoevents.

Michael Sheen David Frost,Britishtalk-showhostwithprogrammesonthreecontinentsandaplayboyreputation.HavinglosthisshowinAmericahehopesanexclusiveinterviewwithNixonwilllaunchhimbackintothelimelight.

Corey Johnson Jack Brennan,Nixon’sChiefofStaffandloyalsupporter,atoughnegotiatorinsettinguptheinterviewwithFrost.

Kate Roscoe Evonne Goolagong,tennisplayer,thefirstAboriginalAustraliantowinWimbledonandaguestonFrost’sshow.

Rufus Wright John Birt,HeadofCurrentAffairsatLWTandFrost’sproducer.

Amerjit Deu Manolo Sanchez,Nixon’smanservant.

Kerry Shale Swifty Lazar,legendaryHollywoodagentrepresentingNixon,brokersthedealwithFrostsecuringanunprecedented$600,000fortheinterview.

Lydia Leonard Caroline Cushing,Frost’sgirlfriend.

Vincent Marzello Bob Zelnick,veteranAmericanreporter,wellknownintheWashingtonsceneandakeymemberofFrost’steam.

Creative Team

Michael Grandage, Director

ArtisticDirectoroftheDonmarWarehouse.Recentworkincludes,fortheDonmar:The Cut, The Wild Duck, Grand Hotel – The Musical, After Miss JulieandCaligula;fortheWestEnd:EvitaandGuys and Dolls;asArtisticDirectoroftheSheffieldTheatres:Don Carlos, Suddenly Last SummerandA Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Christopher Oram, Designer

Recentworkincludes,fortheDonmar:Grand Hotel – The Musical, Henry IV, World MusicandCaligula;othertheatre:Evita(Adelphi),Guys and Dolls(Piccadilly),

1section

�

Macbeth, The Jew of Malta andThe Embalmer(Almeida),Stuff Happens, Marriage Play/Finding the SunandSummerfolk(NT).

Neil Austin, Lighting Designer

Recentworkincludes,fortheDonmar:The Wild Duck, The Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union, After Miss JulieandCaligula;othertheatre:Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, A Prayer for Owen MeanyandFurther than the Furthest Thing(NT),Much Ado About NothingandRomeo and Juliet(RSC).

Adam Cork, Composer and Sound Designer

Recentworkincludes,fortheDonmar:Caligula, Henry IV, The Wild DuckandThe Cut;othertheatre:Don Carlos(Gielgud),Suddenly Last Summer(Albery),On the Third Day(NewAmbassadors),Speaking Like MagpiesandThe Tempest(RSC),Five Gold RingsandThe Late Henry Moss(Almeida).

�

AnintroductiontoPeterMorgan’snewplay

History man

‘Havingmetmostoftheparticipantsandinterviewedthematlength,I’msatisfiednoonewilleveragreeonasingle,“true”versionofwhathappenedintheFrost/Nixoninterviews–thirtyyearsonweareleftwithmanytruthsorfictionsdependingonyourpointofview.Asanauthor,perhapsinevitably,thatappealstome,tothinkofhistoryasacreation,orseveralcreations,andinthespiritofitallIhave,onoccasion,beenunabletoresistusingmyimagination…’1

AspartoftheresearchforhisplayFROST/NIXON,writerPeterMorgantravelledtoWashingtontoimmersehimselfinthecultureofthecityandobservetheAmericanpoliticalmachineatclosequarters,employingapoliticstutorwhomhewouldquizonthedifferencesbetweensenatorsandcongressmen.Healsometandinterviewedmostofthepeoplewhoappearintheplay,includingDavidFrost,JohnBirtandseveralofRichardNixon’sformeraides.

‘EveryoneIspoketotoldthestorytheirway.Evenpeopleintheroomtelldifferentversions.There’snoonetruthaboutwhathappenedinthoseinterviews,soIfeelveryrelaxedaboutbringingmyimaginationtothepiece.Godknowseveryoneelsehas.’2

The43-year-oldwriterdislikestheterm‘docudrama’insistingthattheplayis‘adramanotadocumentary’3.Bestknownforhistelevisionwork,including2003’sThe Deal,apowerfulexplorationoftheleadershippactbetweenTonyBlair(playedbyMichaelSheen)andGordonBrown,Morgan’sdramashavethethreadofhistoryrunningthroughthem.HefirsthadtheideaforFROST/NIXONbackin1992havingwatchedatelevisionbiographyofthebroadcaster.

‘IwasalwaysdrivenbythisimageIhadofthesetwomen,’recallsMorgan.‘TheglamorousFrost,54,000feetupintheair,goingbackwardsandforwardsovertheAtlanticonConcorde.AndNixon,amanreallylivinginacave.Amanwhofoundlifeveryhard.’4

HefirstmetwithFrosttodiscusstheplaytwoyearsago.‘Hewasfriendly,willingtobeco-operative,yet,notsurprisingly,slightlywary,’saysMorgan,whothinksthebroadcasterinitiallyregardedhimasahatchetman.5Frostcommentedlater,‘IwasshownafirstdraftofthescriptontheconditionthatIhadnoeditorialcontrol,abitliketheagreementweextractedfromNixon.’6Morganwassurprisedtodiscoveravulnerablesidetotheshowman.‘IknewNixonwascomplicated,’hesays.‘ButFrost,too,isfarmorecomplicatedthanhistelevisionimageof“marvelloustoseeyou”or“super”.He’sinsecureandwantstoplease.Amanwhogetshurt,too.’7

Sowhywhenhe’sspentsolongwritingfortelevisiondidheproduceFROST/NIXONforthestage?

‘Ijustalwayssawitasaplay,andIdidn’tthinkthatdifferentlyaboutdoingaplayfromdoingsomethingforthescreen.I’manaturalisticwriterwhoischaracter-

2section

�

driven.Mymasteristhestory,andIthoughtthiswasagreatstoryaboutthecontrastsbetweentwofascinatingpeople.’8

Frost bite‘What makes for a good interview? First of all doing your homework. The second thing, which is incredibly obvious, is to listen. When I first went to America to do the talk show people reviewed me and said, “He really listens”. And the third thing is just striking up a relationship with the guest, particularly in a longer interview. Now that relationship may not be mutual respect, it may be mutual awareness or whatever, but the more there’s eye contact with the person you’re talking to the better.’ 9

Politics and the media

EverydecadehasitsdefiningTVmoment:theKennedyassassinationinthe1960s,Nixon’sresignationinthe70s.DavidFrost’sinterviewswiththedisgracedformerPresident,watchedbymillions,wereonesuchlandmark.Thedeterminationofbothmentotriumphovertheothermadeforthrillingsmall-screendrama.

UnlikepreviouspoliticalscandalsthepubliccouldfollowWatergateineverydetail,throughtheOvalOfficetaperecordingsandonTV.ThetelevisedSenateWatergateCommitteehearingsgrippedviewersanddrovethesoapsoffairintheUS.‘Likeeveryoneelse,IhadwatchedtheWatergatedramaplayoutinmylivingroom,’recallsacademicJimReston.ThewayinwhichpoliticshasbeenshapedbytelevisioniscentraltotheplayanddirectorMichaelGrandagebelievestheFrost/Nixoninterviewsforceustoreflectonbroadcasting’sshiftingboundariesoverthepastthirtyyears.

‘What’shappenedtousandtelevision?Therewasaperiodwhereacolossalamountofpeople–millions–satdowntowatchaseriouspoliticalinterview.Whatwouldthatbetonightifithappenedontelevision?’10

JournalistAndrewMarragrees:‘Intheworldofmulti-channeltelevision,broadbandandblogs,itisbecominghardtorememberjusthowgreatthepoweroftelevisionsuperheroesusedtobe,backinthedaysoftwoorthreechannels.’11InterviewerssuchasFrostwereregardedbysomeasthepeople’schampion,crusadingonbehalfoftruth.But,asksMarr,whatwerethelong-termeffectsonpublicdebateofsuchgladiatorialencounters?

‘Spin-doctorswerebroughtintoarmpoliticiansagainstaggressiveinterviewerswithtechniquessuchastheconcealednon-answer,thebodyswerveordeadbat,themind-numbingrepetitionofthepoint,andsoforth.Interviewersrespondedbybecomingmoreaggressive,leadingtopoliticiansdefendingmoredesperately,anditallbecamebothmachoanddull.’12

�

Atatimewhenpoliticalapathyappearstobeatanall-timehigh,andvoterturnoutatanall-timelow,actorFrankLangellawonders,‘Whether,inbecomingmoremediafriendly,politicianshavebecomelesstrustworthy,andthusthepublicfeelmorealienatedfromthepoliticalprocess?’13

Discussion Point

How has the rise of ‘celebrity culture’ changed our perception and expectations of public figures? What are your own thoughts about the state of politics today? Do you feel it has any bearing on your life? Who do you trust more to tell you the truth, politicians or journalists?

Frost bite‘It was very difficult to have a very personal feeling about Nixon because he was so impersonal. He closeted himself off from the rest of the world. A sad man who so wanted to be great was a phrase that occurred to me as I left him for the last time in San Clemente.’ 14

�

BackgroundtoFROST/NIXON

Frost and Nixon in the ring

Theacquisition,exerciseandlossofpowerisarecurringthemeinPeterMorgan’sworkanditwasherethathefoundparallelsbetweenFrostandNixoninthelate1970s.

‘Inaway,bothmenwereinthewildernessatthetime,’actorMichaelSheenexplains.‘Nixonwasthisdisgraced,ostracisedfigurelookingtorehabilitatehimself.FrosthadjustlosthisnetworktalkshowinAmericaandwantedtorestorehisstatus.’15

‘Theywerebothdesperatetobeinthelimelight,’addsMorgan,‘andtheybothsawtheinterviewastheirlastchancetoassuretheirposterity.Theywerebothconsumedbyambition.’16

Ontheeveofthefinalinterviewthetwomentalkonthephone:

Frost OnlyONEofuscanwin.AndIshallbeyourfiercestadversary.IshallcomeatyouwitheverythingI’vegot.

Nixon Goodforyou.BecausethelimelightcanonlyshineonONEofus.Andfortheother,it’llbethe‘wilderness’.Withnothingandnooneforcompany,butthosevoicesringinginourheads.

Thestakescouldnothavebeenhigher.FrostnotonlypaidNixon$600,000fortheinterview,securingthefundshimself,healsoagreedtogivehimapercentageofallsubsequentprofits.Newsofthedealmetwithfiercecriticism,particularlyfromrivaljournalistssuchasABC’sMikeWallace.

‘Byoutbiddingthem,you’vemadeenemiesoftheNetworks,whoarealreadysoundingoffaboutchequebookjournalism,’warnsproducerJohnBirt.AsaresultnoneofthemwouldtouchtheinterviewsandFrostwasforcedtotakethemtoindependentchannels.‘IftheNetworksareagainstyou,syndicationisalwaysgoingtobeastruggle,’saysBirtsummarisingtheirpredicament.‘Nosyndication,noadvancesales.Noadvancesales,nocommercials.Nocommercials,norevenue.’Putsimply,ifNixondidn’tgiveFrostsomethingthatwouldselltheinterviewshewouldn’tmakeanymoneyandwouldlosehisstatus-raisingcoup.

Manyofhiscritics,includingsomeinitiallywithinhisownteam,thoughtFrostincapableofputtingNixonontrial,dubbinghima‘Britishtalkshowhost.Goodwithactresses.NotsogoodwithstonewallingPresidents’.Nixon’sagentSwiftyLazarreassuresthePresident,‘It’sgoingtobeabiiiigwetkiss.A“valentine”.Thisguyissogratefultobegettingthisatall,he’llpitchpuff-ballsallnightandpayhalfamilliondollarsfortheprivilege.’ThePresident’steamwereconfidenttheyhadtheupperhand.‘Nixonwasclearlyaveryintelligentman,whothoughthewasFrost’sintellectualsuperior,’saysMorgan.17

Thetextislitteredthroughoutwithsportingmetaphors,referringtoFrostandNixonas‘thetwoduellists’,‘athleteswaitingforthegun’.Likeboxersintheringtheysquareuptooneanother,sparring,lashingout,thenretreatingback

3section

�

toseparatecornerstolicktheirwounds.Duringbreaksinrecording,whilethetapesarechanged,theadversariesaregivenpeptalksbytheirrespectiveteams.‘Controlthespace,’counselsNixon’sChiefofStaff,ColonelJackBrennan.‘Don’tlethimin.’

Abankoftelevisionscreensatthebackofthestageshowsaliverelayoftheactionbelow,thecameracomingtorestonNixon’sfaceinthefinalinterview.WhenFrostdeliversthekillerblow,revealingapreviouslyunknowntaperecordingclearlyindicatingthePresident’sknowledgeoftheWatergatescandalcover-up,Nixoniscaughtunawares:‘[His]facevisiblyjolts,’readthestagedirections.‘Asiffromajab.’Theeyeswiden,thevoicethickensandhelickshislipsagainandagainasthoughtryingtogetridofanunpleasanttaste.

‘InSpainbullfighterstalkofthemomentthebullinfrontofthemhaslostthefightandbyimplication,thewilltolive,’commentsJimRestonobservingthe‘disorientated’President.‘Wewereatthatmoment.’

DespiteBrennan’sbesteffortstosavehimafatiguedNixonelectstocontinuewiththeinterview,Frostcommentingtohisteam,‘Hewantsmetodothis.Tofinishhimoff.’ThefinalfreezeframeofthePresidentshowsabrokenmanwholaterreferstoFrostasa‘worthyopponent’.UltimatelyitwastheveryskillsthatFrost’scriticsinitiallydismissed,hisabilitytotalktopeople,thatprevailedoverNixon.

‘Whateveritisyouhave,’commentsthePresident,‘Thatfacilitywithpeople.Thatlightness.Thatcharm.Idon’thaveit.Neverhave.Can’thelpit.That’showIwasborn.Hurtandsuspicious.MakesyouwonderwhyIchosealifewhichhingedonbeingliked.I’mbettersuitedtoalifeofthought.Debate.Intellectualdiscipline.Maybewegotitwrong.Maybeyoushouldhavebeenthepolitician.AndItherigorousinterviewer.’

�0

David Frost - Born to be on the tube

BorninTenterden,Kenton17April1939SirDavidParadineFrosthasbeenaleadingfigureintelevisionnewsandentertainmentforoverfortyyears,hostingtop-ratedshowsinboththeUKandAmericaandbeingtheonlypersontohaveinterviewedallofthepastsixBritishPrimeMinistersandthepastsevenUSPresidents.

WhilststillanundergraduateatCambridgeUniversity,wherehewasalsosecretaryoftheFootlightsDramaSociety,FrostbeganpresentingTVprogrammes,leadingultimatelytothegroundbreakingsatiricalshowThat Was The Week That Was,broadcastbytheBBCfrom1962to1963.ProducerNedSherrinobserves,‘Hewasthefirstofthatgenerationwhowentstraightfromuniversitytotelevision.Hetooktoitlikeaducktowater.’18AsNixonlatercomments,‘Youwereobviouslyborntobeonthetube.’Theprogrammequicklygainedamassivecultfollowingbutriledpoliticianswhoappearedonitcomplainingthattheywere

��

beingridiculedbyFrostandhisteam.Indeed,theyoungpresenter’sprovocativeinterviewingstyleoftenresultedinchargedexchangesandcoinedthephrase‘trialbytelevision’.

‘FrostwaspartofthefirstgenerationoftelevisioninterviewerswhocouldnolongerstomachthedeferenceofTV’searlyyears,’explainsAndrewMarr.‘Thosejournalistswhohadgrownupwiththeyoungmedium,andFrostwasthegreatestexample,hadaself-confidenceinfrontofthecamerawhichmadeallbutafewpoliticians,menoftheageofthedebatingchamberandthepublicmeeting,lookblunderingandpedestrian.’19

Severalothersuccessfulshowsfollowed,includingThe Frost Reportin1966inwhichFrostcollaboratedwithcomediansJohnCleese,RonnieBarkerandRonnieCorbett,andforITVThe Frost Programme.IntervieweesfromtheworldofshowbizincludedMuhammadAli,theBeatlesandOrsonWelles.ButitwasafteramovingtributetotheassassinatedPresidentJohnF.KennedyonTWTWTWthatFrostbecamefamousintheUSandbeganpresentingFrost Over America.Thiswasthebeginningofabusyperiodforthebroadcasterwhospentmuchofthe1970scommutingacrosstheAtlantic,usuallybyConcorde,earninghimselfthereputationofaninternationalplayboy.

Itwasthe1977interviewswiththedisgracedformerUSPresidentRichardNixonthathelpedrevitaliseFrost’scareer,whichwasindeclineinAmericafollowingthecancellationofhisnetworktalkshow.Thefour90-minuteprogrammes,inwhichFrostpersuadedNixontoadmithe’dlettheAmericanpeopledownovertheWatergatescandal,achievedthelargesttelevisionaudienceforanewsintervieweverandhassincebecomeabenchmarkforpoliticalinterviews.

InadditiontobeinginstrumentalinthecreationoftwoimportantTVfranchises,LWTin1967andTV-amin1982,Frosthasproducedseveralfilmsandhashisownproductioncompany,ParadineProductions,whoarecurrentlydevelopingaremakeofthewarfilmThe Dam Busters.

HeisperhapsbestknowntodayasthepresenterofsuchprogrammesasThrough the KeyholeandBreakfast with Frost,afixtureoftheSundayschedulesforovertwentyyears.‘It’shardtomatchupthemellowSundaymorningtelevisionpresenterwiththeharder,cooler1960smodel,’admitsactorMichaelSheen.20‘Lookathisfootagefromthe60s,grillingthelikesofOswaldMoseley,andyoufindhewasthemostconfrontationalofinterviewers.’21IndeedFrost’scriticsarguethathislatter-styleflatteringattentiontowardshisinterviewees,manyofwhomhavesincebecomefriends,bordersonthesycophantic,dubbinghisshowacosy‘love-in’.ButthechangeinhisinterviewtechniqueisanaturalprogressionarguesNedSherrin.‘Inthe1960s,hewasveryhard.ButfromNixononwardsitwasalwayssoftly,softlycatcheemonkey.’22

‘Thekeyisknowinghowtoopenpeopleupratherthanshutthemup,’saysFrost.‘It’sallaboutthetestingqualityandintellectofthequestion,notthestyle.ThelateLabourleaderJohnSmithtoldme:“Youhaveawayofaskingbeguilingquestionswithpotentiallylethalconsequences”.’23

FriendandformerproducerofThe Frost ShowWilliamG.Stewartcomments,‘Ofcoursehe’smellowedandhe’snowpartoftheestablishment,buttherehaveonlybeenafewpeoplewhohavechangedthefaceoftelevisionandDavidisoneofthem.’24

��

In2005FrostaddedaBAFTAFellowshiptohismanyawardsandnow,attheageof67,heisstillcourtingcontroversyhavingrecentlyagreedtopresentaweeklycurrentaffairsprogrammeforAl-JazeeraInternational,theEnglishlanguageversionoftheArabbroadcasterunpopularintheUS.

‘AsmyshowfromLondonwillbeshownaroundtheworldatdifferenttimes,itisn’tjustBreakfast with Frost,butbrunch,lunch,afternoontea,andsupperwithFrost!’25

Richard Nixon – A life of thought and debate

RichardMilhousNixonwasborninYorbaLinda,Californiaon9January1913.ARepublican,hewasinauguratedasthirty-seventhPresidentoftheUnitedStateson20January1969.Althoughheachieveddiplomaticsuccesswithhisforeignpolicy,inparticulardétentewithChinaandtheSovietUnionandendingAmericaninvolvementintheVietnamWar,NixonisnowrememberedastheonlyUSPresidenttohaveresignedfromoffice,on9August1974,followinghisimplicationintheWatergatescandal.

RaisedasastrictQuakerNixonwonascholarshiptoHarvardUniversitybutwasunabletoattendasthebursarydidn’tincludelivingexpenses.In1934heleftlocalQuakerschoolWhittierCollegeandwentontostudyatDukeUniversityofLawwhereheexcelledacademically.ReturningtoCaliforniain1937andpassingthebarexamNixonbeganworkinginasmalllawfirminLaMirada.ItwasatthistimehemethisfuturewifePatRyan,ahighschoolteacher.Thecouplemarriedon21June1940andlaterhadtwodaughters,TriciaandJulie.

DuringtheSecondWorldWarNixonservedasaLieutenantCommanderintheNavycommandingcargo-handlingunitsintheSouthPacific.OnleavingtheservicehewaselectedtotheUnitedStatesHouseofRepresentativesin1946andbecamewidelyknownforhisworkontheHouseCommitteeonUn-AmericanActivitiesandhistoughlineoncommunistsympathisers.In1950NixonwaselectedtotheUnitedStatesSenateoverCongresswomanHelenGahaganDouglaswhogavehimthelastingnickname‘TrickyDick’.Justtwoyearslater,attheageof39,DwightD.EisenhowerchosehimtobehisrunningmateinthesuccessfulRepublicanpresidentialcampaign.

Asthethirty-sixthVicePresidentoftheUnitedStates,from1953to1961,Nixonreinventedtheofficetakingonwide-rangingdutiesandundertakingfrequentofficialtripsabroad,gainingtheattentionoftheRepublicanPartyandthemediaintheprocess.HedemonstratedforthefirsttimethattheofficecouldbeaspringboardtotheWhiteHouse,mostVicePresidentssincehavingfollowedhisleadandsoughtthepresidency.In1960NixonwasnominatedwithhugesupportastheRepublicanPresidentialcandidatecampaigninginsupportofthepoliciesoftheEisenhoweradministration.HewasnarrowlydefeatedbyJohnF.Kennedywhowasthoughttohaveperformedbetterinatelevisedpresidentialdebate,manyviewersregardingNixonasuntrustworthyasaresultofperspirationonhistoplipandpronouncedstubble.ThisfuelledNixon’sdistrustofthemedia.HelaterquipstoFrostintheplay,‘TheysaymoistureonmyupperlipcostmethePresidency.Thatandtheshadowfrommybeard.Ofcourse–there’snoactual

��

correlationbetweenperspirationandguilt.Norbetweenfacialhairandduplicity.Buttelevisionandtheclose-up;theycreatetheirownsetsofmeanings.’

In1962NixonsufferedfurtherdefeatintheraceforGovernorofCalifornia.Worndownbyyearsofcampaigninghetookaswipeatthemediainhisconcessionspeech,‘Youwon’thaveNixontokickaroundanymorebecause,gentleman,thisismylastpressconference.’26HavinglosttheelectionhemovedtoNewYorkCitytobecomeaseniorpartnerinaleadinglawfirm.

However,duringthe1966CongressionalelectionshebegantorebuildhisbasewithintheRepublicanPartyandjusttwoyearslatermadearemarkablepoliticalcomebackbyagainwinningtheirnominationforpresident.ThepoliticallandscapehadchangedsignificantlyinthefiveyearssincetheassassinationofPresidentKennedyandthiswasanewNixon,restedandready.Heappealedtowhathecalledthe‘silentmajority’,conservativeAmericanswhodislikedtheprevalent‘hippie’counter-culture.RegardingthecontinuingwarinVietnam,whichhadcostsomanyAmericanlives,Nixonpromised‘peacewithhonour’withoutclaimingtobeabletowintheconflictandwentontodefeatVicePresidentHubertH.Humphreyatthepolls.

OnceinofficeNixonbeganthephasedwithdrawalofUStroopsfromSouthVietnamleavingthefightingtotheVietnamese.Americaninvolvementinthewardeclinedsteadilyuntilallthetroopsweregoneby1973withNixonwidelypraisedforfulfillinghiselectionpromise.However,thiswasnotbeforeorderingsecretbombingsofCambodiainMarch1969todestroywhatwasthoughttobetheheadquartersoftheNationalFrontfortheLiberationofVietnam.IndoingsoNixonknewhewouldbeprolonginganunpopularwarandbreachingCambodia’sstatedneutrality.ThisunorthodoxuseofexecutivepowerswaslaterraisedduringtheinvestigationsintotheWatergatescandal.

InotherareasofforeignpolicyNixoneasedColdWartensions.Inwhatwouldlaterbecomeknownasthe‘ChinaCard’,hepurposefullyimprovedrelationswiththePeople’sRepublicofChinatogainastrategicadvantageovertheSovietUnion,China’sformercommunistally,andstunnedtheworldin1972bygoingtoChinahimselftonegotiatedirectlywithChairmanMao.FearingthepossibilityofanalliancebetweenthetwonationstheSovietUnionyieldedtoAmericanpressurefordétente.

AthomeNixon’sdomesticpoliciesincludedtheestablishmentoftheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyin1970andtheDrugEnforcementAdministrationin1973.Oneofthemostdramaticeventsofhispresidencycameearlyon20July1969whenheaddressedAmericanastronautsNeilArmstrongandBuzzAldrinviaradioduringthefirstevermoonlanding.

DespitesomeeconomicproblemsduringhisfirstterminofficeNixoneasilywonre-electionin1972withalandslidevictoryovertheDemocraticpresidentialcandidateGeorgeS.McGovern,gainingover60%ofthepopularvote.ButwithinmonthsNixon’sadministrationwasembattledoverthenowinfamousWatergatescandal(seebelow)whichbeganwithaburglaryattheofficesoftheDemocraticNationalCommittee,insidetheWatergateHotelcomplex,andeventuallyexposedthecorruptionoftheWhiteHouseandthePresident’sownparanoia.

FacedwiththenearcertaintyofbothhisimpeachmentbytheHouseofRepresentativesandhisprobableconvictionbytheSenate,Nixonaddressedthe

��

nationbytelevisionontheeveningof8August1974announcingthathewouldresigneffectivenoonthenextday.OnleavingtheWhiteHousehereturnedtohisestateinSanClemente,California.AmonthlaterNixon’ssuccessorPresidentGeraldR.Ford,formerlyVicePresident,grantedhimafullpardonforanyillegalactshemayhavecommittedwhileinoffice,effectivelyendinganypossibilityofcriminalproceedingsagainstthedisgracedleader.

InlaterlifeNixonwrotemanybooksonpolitics,includinghismemoirs,andworkedhardtorehabilitatehispublicimagegainingrespectasanelderstatesmanintheareaofforeignaffairs.OneofthelastinglegaciesofNixon’sPresidencyisthatsomanykeyfiguresoftheFord,Reagan,BushSnrandJnradministrations,includingDickCheney,ColinPowellandDonaldRumsfeld,firstenteredgovernmentserviceduringhistimeattheWhiteHouse.Nixon’sadministrationwasalsothefirsttoorganiseadailymessageforthemedia,apracticeadoptedbyallsubsequentadministrations.

RichardNixondiedon22April1994,aged81,aftersufferingastroke.Hewasburiedbesidehiswife,whohaddiedlessthanayearearlier,inthegroundsoftheRichardNixonLibraryinhisbirthplace,YorbaLinda.

��

Watergate

Earlyinthemorningof17June1972policediscoveredfivemeninsidetheheadquartersoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteeattheWatergateHotelcomplex.Ittranspiredthattheintrudersweretheretoadjustbuggingequipmenttheyhadinstalledduringanearlierbreak-ininMayandtophotographdocuments.Oneofthefive,JamesW.McCordJnr,wasChiefofSecurityattheCommitteetoRe-electthePresident(CRP)suggestingalinkwiththeWhiteHouse.However,Nixon’sPressSecretaryRonZieglerdismissedtheincidentasa‘third-rateburglary’.

WashingtonPostreporterBobWoodwardwaspresentatMcCord’sarraignment,whichrevealedhislinkswiththeCIA,andtogetherwithhiscolleagueCarlBernsteinhebegantoinvestigatetheburglary.TheFBIalreadyknewmostofwhattheypublishedbutitkeptthefocusontheWatergatescandal.Woodward’srelationshipwithaninsidesource,codenamed‘DeepThroat’,addedtotheintrigue.TheinformanttoldthejournalistthatWhiteHouseofficialshadhiredasmanyasfiftypeopletosabotagetheDemocratParty’schancesinthe1972election.Yearslater,on31May2005,decadesofspeculationastothetrueidentityofthesourcewasendedwhenW.MarkFelt,aleadingfigurewithintheFBIintheearly1970s,revealedthathewasDeepThroat,aclaimlaterconfirmedbyWoodward.

On8January1973thefiveintruderswenttotrial.TheyhadbeenpaidbytheCRPtopleadguiltyandsaynothingandallwereconvictedofconspiracy,burglaryandwiretapping.TheconnectionbetweentheWatergatebreak-inandthePresident’sre-electioncampaigndramaticallyraisedthepoliticalstakes.InsteadofendingwiththetrialandconvictionofthefivementheinvestigationbroadenedandaSenateCommittee,chairedbySenatorSamErvin,wasestablishedtoexamineWatergate,subpoenaingmembersofNixon’sownstaff.

Fourmonthslater,on30April,thePresidentwasforcedtodismisstwoofhisclosestaides,WhiteHouseChiefofStaffBobHaldemanandJohnErlichman,AssistanttothePresidentforDomesticAffairs.Theywouldlaterbeindictedandimprisonedfortheirroleinthescandal.NixonalsofiredWhiteHouseCounselJohnDeanwhowouldgoontobecomeakeywitnessagainstthePresident.

ThehearingsheldbytheSenateWatergateCommittee,inwhichmanyformerWhiteHouseofficialsgavedramatictestimonies,werebroadcastfrom17Mayto7August1973causinggreatdamagetoNixon.EachoftheTVnetworkscarriedcoverageofthehearingseverythirddayanditwasestimatedthat85%ofAmericanstunedinatleastonceduringthethreemonths.RegardingNixon’spersonalinvolvementinthescandal,RepublicanSenatorHowardBakerofTennesseefamouslyasked,‘WhatdidthePresidentknowandwhendidheknowit?’

On13JulyDeputyAssistanttothePresidentAlexanderButterfieldmadeashockingrevelation.WhenaskediftherewasanytaperecordingequipmentwithintheWhiteHouseButterfieldreluctantlyansweredthateverythingintheOvalOfficewasautomaticallyrecorded.ThisradicallyalteredthedirectionoftheinvestigationastherecordingsmightprovewhetherNixonorJohnDeanwastellingthetruthaboutkeymeetings.SpecialProsecutorArchibaldCoxsubpoenaedthetapesbutthePresidentrefusedtohandthemovercitingexecutiveprivilege

��

andtoldCoxtodrophisrequest.WhenherefusedNixonorderedtheSpecialProsecutortobefiredandseveralofCox’scolleaguesresignedinobjection.Thedatewas20October1973anditbecameknownasthe‘SaturdayNightMassacre’.PublicreactionwasintensewithprotestorstakingtothestreetsoutsidetheWhiteHousecarryingbannerswhichimploredmotoriststo‘Honktoimpeach’.

ThePresidentwasforcedtoallowtheappointmentofanewSpecialProsecutor,LeonJaworski,whocontinuedtheinvestigation.WhilststillrefusingtohandovertheactualtapesNixondidagreetoprovidetranscriptsofalargenumberofthem,althougheditedtopreservenationalsecurity.TherecordingslargelyconfirmedDean’saccountofeventsandcausedfurthercontroversywheneighteenandahalfminutesofonetapewasfoundtobemissing.InitiallytheWhiteHouseblamedthisonNixon’ssecretarywhoclaimedtohaveaccidentallyerasedthetape,butlaterforensicexaminationdiscoveredthatthesectionhadbeendeletedseveraltimes.Finally,on24July1974,theSupremeCourtrejectedthePresident’sclaimsofexecutiveprivilegeandorderedhimtosurrenderthetapeswhichhedidaweeklater.

Nixon’spositionwasbecomingincreasinglyprecariousandtheHouseofRepresentativesrecommendedthreearticlesofimpeachmentagainstthePresident:theobstructionofjusticeintheinvestigationofthebreak-inattheheadquartersoftheDemocraticNationalCommittee;abuseofpowerbyillegalwiretappingandinterferencewiththelawfulactivitiesoftheFBI;andcontemptofCongressinfailingtocomplywithsubpoenas.On5Augustanothertape,the‘SmokingGun’,wasreleased.Recordedon23June1972,onlyafewdaysafterthebreak-inattheWatergateHotelcomplex,itdocumentedNixonandBobHaldemanformulatingaplantoblocktheFBIinvestigationsbygettingtheCIAtoclaim,falsely,thatitwouldcompromisenationalsecurity.WiththisfinalpieceofevidencethePresident’sfewremainingsupportersdesertedhimand,facingtheinevitable,NixonbecamethefirstUSPresidentinhistorytoresignfromofficeon9August1974.

TherepercussionsoftheWatergatescandalweremanyandcertainlydidn’tendwiththeresignationofthePresidentandtheimprisonmentofseveralWhiteHouseofficials.Itledtonewlawsregardingthefinancingofelectioncampaignsandchangestothe1986FreedomofInformationActaswellasusheringinaneweraofmoreaggressivereportingonpoliticalissuesbythemedia.Anewgenerationofreporters,hopingtobecomethenextWoodwardandBernstein,embracedinvestigativejournalismandsoughttouncovernewscandals.TheWashingtonPostreporterswhohadhelpedtouncoverthescandalwroteabest-sellingbookbasedontheirexperiencescalledAllthePresident’sMen,publishedin1974,whichwasmadeintoafilmtwoyearslater,starringRobertRedfordandDustinHoffmanasWoodwardandBernsteinrespectively.

��

Who’s who? Key people mentioned in the playJackAnderson Journalist,Washington Post

AlexanderButterfield DeputyAssistanttoPresidentNixon(1969-1973)

CharlesColson WhiteHouseSpecialCounsel(1969-1973)

JohnConnally USTreasury(1971-1972)

JohnEhrlichman AssistanttothePresidentforDomesticAffairs(1969-1973)

DwightD.Eisenhower 34thUSPresident,Republican(1953-1961)

GeraldR.Ford Vice-President,Republican(1973-1974),38thUSPresident(1974-1976)

PatGrey CIA

AlHaig ChiefofStaff(1973-1974)

BobHaldeman ChiefofStaff(1969-1973)

LyndonB.Johnson 36thUSPresident,Democrat(1963-1969)

JohnF.(Jack)Kennedy 35thUSPresident,Democrat(1961–1963)

HenryKissinger USSecretaryofState(1973–1974)

TriciaNixon RichardNixon’seldestdaughter

MikeWallace AnchormanofABC’s60 Minutes

��

A chronology of events

21 January 1969 RichardNixonisinauguratedasthe37thPresidentoftheUnitedStates.

13 June 1971 The New York TimesandWashington PostbeginpublishingthePentagonPapers,theDefenceDepartment’ssecrethistoryoftheVietnamWar.

3 September 1971 TheWhiteHouse‘plumbersunit’,socalledfortheirorderstopreventleaksintheadministration,burglesapsychiatrist’sofficetofindfilesonDanielEllsberg,theformerdefenceanalystwholeakedthePentagonPapers.

17 June 1972 Fivemen,oneofwhomsaysheusedtoworkfortheCIA,arearrestedat2.30amtryingtobugtheofficesoftheDemocraticNationalCommitteeattheWatergateHotelcomplex.

10 October 1972 FBIagentsestablishthattheWatergatebreak-instemsfromamassiveoperationofpoliticalspyingandsabotageconductedonbehalfoftheNixonre-electioncampaign.

7 November 1972 Nixonisre-electedinoneofthelargestlandslidesinAmericanpoliticalhistory.

30 January 1973 FormerNixonaidesareconvictedofconspiracy,burglaryandwiretappingintheWatergatescandal.

30 April 1973 Nixon’stopWhiteHouseofficialsBobHaldemanandJohnEhrlichmanandAttorneyGeneralRichardKleindienstresignoverthescandal.WhiteHouseCounselJohnDeanisfired.

18 May 1973 SenateWatergateCommitteebeginsitsnationallytelevisedhearings.

3 June 1973 JohnDeantellsWatergateinvestigatorsthathehasdiscussedthecover-upwithNixonatleastthirty-fivetimes.

13 June 1973 WatergateprosecutorsfindamemoaddressedtoJohnEhrlichmandescribingindetailtheplanstoburgletheofficeofDanielEllsberg’spsychiatrist.

AlexanderButterfield,DeputyAssistanttothePresident,revealsthatallconversationsandtelephonecallsintheOvalOfficehavebeenrecordedsince1971.

18 July 1973 NixonordersWhiteHousetapingsystemstobedisconnected.

23 July 1973 NixonrefusestorelinquishtaperecordingstotheSenateWatergateCommitteeortheSpecialProsecutor.

20 October 1973 ‘TheSaturdayNightMassacre’.NixonfirestheSpecialProsecutorwhosecolleaguesresigninprotest.PressureforimpeachmentmountsinCongress.

17 November 1973 Nixondeclares‘I’mnotacrook’,maintaininghisinnocenceintheWatergatescandal.

��

7 December 1973 TheWhiteHousecan’texplainaneighteen-and-a-half-minutegapinoneofthesubpoenaedtapes.

30 April 1974 TheWhiteHousereleaseseditedtranscriptsoftheNixontapesbuttheHouseJudiciaryCommitteeinsiststheactualtapesbehandedover.

24 July 1974 TheSupremeCourtrulesunanimouslythatNixonmusthandoverthetaperecordingsofsixty-fourWhiteHouseconversations,rejectingthePresident’sclaimsofexecutiveprivilege.

27 July 1974 TheHouseJudiciaryCommitteetakesthemomentousstepofrecommendingthatthePresidentbeimpeachedandremovedfromoffice.

8 August 1974 RichardNixonbecomesthefirstUSPresidenttoresign.VicePresidentGeraldR.Fordassumesthecountry’shighestofficeandlaterissuesanunconditionalpardonforanyoffencesNixonmayhavecommittedasPresident.

2005 FormerFBIDeputyHeadMarkFeltrevealedastheanonymoussource‘DeepThroat’whohelpedWashington PostreportersBobWoodwardandCarlBernsteinuncovertheWatergatescandal.

Did you know

The Watergate scandal left such a lasting impression on the international consciousness that many scandals since have been labelled with the suffix ‘gate’, including: ‘Camillagate’ (1992), tape recording of telephone conversation between the Prince of Wales and his future wife Camilla Parker-Bowles; and ‘Monicagate’ (1998), named after Monica Lewinsky who had an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with 42nd US President Bill Clinton.

Discussion Point

‘Every single time you’re looking for some sort of parallel to help a scene along, you think, “Hang on, there was an analogy on this morning’s news”.’ 27

Michael Grandage, Director

After you have seen FROST/NIXON what parallels can you draw between the issues within the play and today’s political climate? Challenging Nixon on the bombing of Cambodia, Frost comments, ‘By sending B52s to carpet bomb a country, wiping out whole civilian areas, you end up radicalising a once moderate people, uniting them in Anti-American sentiment’. How does this relate to the present situation in the Middle East and the ‘War on Terror’?

�0

FROST/NIXONinperformance

Practical and written exercises based on an extract from the play

FROST/NIXONchroniclesanimportantandincrediblycomplexperiodincontemporaryAmericanhistory,detailingkeyfactsanddates.Theplaytelescopesevents,requiringswiftchangesintimeandplace.NavigatingusthroughoutisnarratorJimReston,himselfacharacterwithinthestory.Thenarrativeisfast-paced,theactionfluid.Stagedirectionsread,‘Alightingchange.Suddenlywe’rebackin“CasaPacifica”.Nixon’sbedroom.’Thebackwallofthestageisdominatedbyabankofthirty-sixtelevisionscreenswhichareusednotonlyduringtheinterviewsbutalsobetweenscenestoindicatelocations–London,NewYork,LA,etc.

ThefollowingextractistakenfromSceneFifteen,towardstheendoftheplay.ItisthenightbeforethefinalinterviewandFrosthassofarfailedtogainanynewrevelationsfromNixon,therebyplacingthewholeprojectinjeopardy.HehasjustlearntthathisshowinAustraliahasbeencancelledwiththeoneintheUKpossiblytofollow.Theprospectisbleak.HisgirlfriendCarolinegoesouttogetthemsomefoodleavingFrostaloneintheirhotelroom.

Workingasagroupreadthroughtheextractandexperimentwiththestagingofthisscene.Asadirectorwhatatmospheredoyouwanttocreate?Considerthefollowing:Whathasjusthappened?Wherearethecharactersemotionally?Atwhatpointarewewithinthestory?Howdoesthataffectyourapproachtopacingthescene?HowwouldyouestablishtherelationshipbetweenFrostandNixon,thesenseofintimacyatthismoment,giventhattheyareinseparatespaces?Youshouldalsotakeintoaccountotherelementsofproduction.Forexample,whatshouldthelightingbelike?Doyouwantanyspecificsound?OnceyouhaveseentheDonmar’sproductionofFROST/NIXONconsiderhowthestagingofthisscenecompareswithyourown.

FROST/NIXON by Peter Morgan – Extract from Scene FifteenFrostalone. He continues to pace up and down restlessly. He stands in the middle of the room. Visibly deflates.

It’s an intensely private moment. His spirit has been broken. His face is long. His eyes baggy and tired.

Presently, the phone rings.

Frost stares at it a while. Cannot face it. Finally he goes to answer it. When he speaks, it’s with a quiet, defeated voice.

Frost I’llhaveacheeseburger.

But the slurring voice at the other end does not belong toCaroline.

4section

��

FROST/NIXON by Peter Morgan – Extract from Scene FifteenFrostalone. He continues to pace up and down restlessly. He stands in the middle of the room. Visibly deflates.

It’s an intensely private moment. His spirit has been broken. His face is long. His eyes baggy and tired.

Presently, the phone rings.

Frost stares at it a while. Cannot face it. Finally he goes to answer it. When he speaks, it’s with a quiet, defeated voice.

Frost I’llhaveacheeseburger.

But the slurring voice at the other end does not belong toCaroline.

Voice(Onphone)Mmm.Soundsgood.

Frostfreezes. Immediately recognisesNixon,speaking from San Clemente.

Nixon Iusedtolovecheeseburgers.

There’s something in the President’s voice. A barely perceptible slurring.

Nixon ButDoctorLundgrenmademegivethemup.Andswitchedmetocottagecheeseandpineappleinstead.HecallsthemmyHawaiianBurgers.Buttheydon’ttastelikeburgersatall.TheytastelikeStyrofoam.

Nixonsways slightly, as he knocks back the drink.

Nixon I…ah…hopeI’mnotdisturbing.

Frost No.

Nixon It’saFridaynight.You…ah…probablyhavesomeonethere…whomyou’reentertaining…

Frostpuckers his face. There’s something almost lascivious about the question.

Frost No.

Nixon Thenwhatareyoudoing?Ahandsomeyoungfellow.Aneligibleyoung,bachelor,aloneonaFridaynight?

Frost Ifyoumustknow…I’mpreparingforourfinalsession.

Nixon Ah,theall-importantfinalsession.

Frost Yes.

Nixon Watergate.It’sasmallconsolationtomethatforthenextcoupleofdays,thatwordwillbeasmuchofamillstonearoundyourneckasithasbeenaroundmine.BecauseIguess,thewayyouhandleWatergatewilldeterminewhethertheseinterviewsareasuccessorfailure.ShouldIbenervous?

Frost Well,I’mgoingtogiveitmybestshot.

Nixon Quiteright.Noholdsbarred.Noholdsbarred.Youknow,it’sstrange.We’vesatinchairsoppositeoneanother,talkingforhours,itseemsdaysonend…andyetI’vehardlygottentoknowyou.Oneofmypeople…ah…aspartofthepreparationofthisinterview…didaprofileofyou,andI’msorrytosay…Ionlygotaround

��

toreadingittonight.There’ssomeinterestingstuffinthere.TheMethodistbackground,modestcircumstances.Thenofftoagranduniversity.Fullofricher,poshertypes.Whatwasit?Oxford?

Frost Cambridge.

Nixon Didthesnobstherelookdownonyou,too?

Frost I…I…

Nixon Ofcoursetheydid.That’sourtragedy,isn’tit,MrFrost?Nomatterhowhighweget,theystilllookdownonus…

Frost I…really…don’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout…

Nixon Yes,youdo.C’mon.Youknowexactly.Nomatterhowmanyawards–orhowmanycolumninchesarewrittenaboutyou–orhowhightheelectedofficeisforme–itstillisn’tenough,amIright?Westillfeellikethelittleman?Thelosertheytolduswewere?Ahundredtimes.Thesmart-assesatcollege.Thehigh-ups.Thewell-born.Thepeoplewhoserespectwereallywanted.Reallycraved.Andisn’tthatwhyweworksohardnow?Whywefightforeveryinch?Scramblingourwayup,inundignifiedfashion,whateverhillockormountainitis,whywenevertire,whywefindenergyormotivationwhenanysensiblepersonwouldliedown,orrelax.Ifwe’rehonestforaminute.Ifwereflectprivatelyjustforamoment…ifweallowourselves…aglimpseintothatshadowyplacewecalloursoul,isn’tthatwhywe’reherenow…?Thetwoofus?Lookingforawayback?Intothesun?Intothelimelight?Backontothewinner’spodium?Becausewecouldfeelitslippingaway?Wewereheaded,bothofus,forthedirt.Theplacethesnobsalwaystolduswe’dendup.Faceinthedust.Humiliatedallthemoreforhavingtriedsopitifullyhard.Well,tohellwiththat.We’renotgoingtoletthathappen.Eitherofus.We’regoingtoshowthosebums,andmakethemchokeonourcontinuedsuccess.Ourcontinuedheadlines.Ourcontinuedawards,powerandglory.We’regoingtomakethosemotherfuckerschoke.AmIright?

Frost Youare.ExceptonlyONEofuscanwin.AndIshallbeyourfiercestadversary.IshallcomeatyouwitheverythingI’vegot.

Nixon Goodforyou.BecausethelimelightcanonlyshineonONEofus.Andfortheother,it’llbethe‘wilderness’.Withnothingandnooneforcompany,butthosevoicesringinginourheads.

A pause.

Nixon Youeverserveyourcountry,MrFrost?Putonauniform.Gointobattle.

Frost No.

Nixon Forgiveme…butIdidn’timagineso.Iwasanavalman.Didyourresearchtellyouthat?That’snotthekindofstuffpeoplewanttohearaboutDickNixon.Thathewaswillingtolaydownhislife…

Nixon sways slightly.

Nixon Youcanprobablytell…thereasonI’mbeingso…uncharacteristicallyforthright…I’vehadadrink.Nottoomany.Justoneortwo.Butbelieveme,whenIwaketomorrow,I’llbefocusedandreadyforbattle.

��

Questions on the production and further practical work

Youmaywishtoworkindividuallyoncompletingthesequestions.

1. RereadingtheextractwhatdoesthetexttellusaboutthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenFrostandNixon?Canyoufindotherexampleswithintheplaytosupportyourtheories?

2. WhenyougotoseetheDonmar’sproductionofFROST/NIXONconsiderthefollowing:

•Howdoesthedesignaidthepaceofthenarrative?

•HowdothevideosshownontheTVscreensworkinrelationtotheactiononstage?(SeetheinterviewwithAssistantDirectorHamishPiriebelow.)Howdidyoufindwatchingtheactionintwoplaces?Wereyoumoreinterestedintheactorsonscreen?

•HowdoestheproductiondelineatethedifferentworldsofFrostandNixon?

•Whattransformationstakeplacewithinthecharactersthroughthejourneyoftheplay?Howdotheactorsembodythesechanges?

3. Onceyouhaveseentheproductionyoucouldimprovisenewscenesexploringthebackgroundtotheplay,takingthematerialwithinthisStudyGuide(Section3)asastartingpoint.ThescenescouldincludethemeetingbetweenNixonandBobHaldemaninwhichtheydiscussedhamperingtheFBI’sinvestigationofthebreak-inattheWatergateHotelcomplex,ataperecordingofwhichlaterbecameknownasthe‘SmokingGun’.Howdosuchimprovisationsinformyourideasabouttheplayandcharacters?

Frost bite‘By this stage there was anguish. Various people analysed it, whether he had a tear or his eyes were glistening. He was struggling with going further than he had ever gone or would ever go again. And at that particular moment – one was close up, incredibly close – it was affecting. It was very touching in that sense.’ 28

��

The play in rehearsal

An interview with Hamish Pirie, Assistant Director for FROST/NIXON

Q How much did the cast and creative team familiarise themselves with the background to the play or was your starting point the text itself?

A Ondayoneofrehearsalsitwasclearthecasthaddonealotoftheirownresearch,someaboutWatergateothersspecificallyabouttheircharacters.BothFrankLangellaandMichaelSheenhadviewedalotofarchivematerial,notonlyoftheinterviewsthemselvesbutalmosteverythingfromaroundthatperiodthatfeaturedtheircharacters.FrankhadspentsometimeinterviewingpeoplewhoworkedforNixonwhilehewaslivinginCasaPacifica.Hevisitedhismuseumandsatathisdesk.WealsohadtherealJimRestonwithusonthefirstdaytogiveusthatextraflavourofthetimeandevents.AtthesametimePeterMorganwasalwaysinputtingwithhisvastknowledgeoftheperiodandgivingustitbitsthatdidn’tquitemakeitintotheplay.

However,bydaytwoMichaelGrandagewaskeentoemphasizethatweweredoingPeter’splayabouttheevents,nottheeventsthemselves.Itwasclearthattheplaychosetoshowuscertainelementsoftheperiodandnotothers.NixonwasPresidentofthemostpowerfulcountryintheworldforfiveyearsatoneofthemostturbulenttimesinitshistory,thereisnowaythatallthosehistoricalfactscanbebroughtintoathrillingeveningatthetheatre.

Wehavetorespectthestorythattheplaywrightistelling,makingsureweareplayingthecharactersfromthetextnotthenewspapers.AtthesametimetheFrost/Nixontapeswereavailableforeveryonetoseebutpeopledidthisindividually.Allthecreativeteam,however,sawthem.Althoughwemustbeloyal,thetextcomesfirst.Takingadvantageofseeingtheactualinterviewsgivesanextraflavouroneseldomgetswhendoingotherplays.Peterhaseditedtheinterviewsandchoppedthemaroundheavilysoitwasimportantagainnottobecometoolostinthesequenceoftheinterviewsthemselves.

Q With regard to playing real people, where does impersonation end and the actor’s interpretation begin?

A MichaelSheenhasplayedmanyrealpeople,mostfamouslyTonyBlairinThe Deal and The Queen,bothwrittenbyPeterMorgan.Hetalksaboutthefactthatimpersonationsarethingsweseecomediansdoforamaximumofthirtysecondstoworkoneortwogags.Tomaintainthatlevelofsatiricalcaricatureonstagewouldsimplybeunwatchable.Soalreadyasanactorplayingacharacterinatwo-hourstoryyouareapproachingitinadifferentway.

Thecompanymadeeveryeffortforthecharactersonstagetoberealpeople,weactuallyavoidedusingthephraseimpersonation.Itwasseenasvitalthatarealtruthwasfoundinthesepeopleonstage.Iftheywere

��

justpresentinganarrayofticksandvoicesthattheactualpeoplewerefamousforthenthestoryitselfwouldfallapart.Theactorsare,ofcourse,bringingtheirowninterpretationstothecharacterstheyareplaying.Thatinterpretationiscommittedtofindingthetruthofthesecharactersasfoundinthetext.FrankLangellaasNixonisplayingoneofthemosteasilyimpersonatedpoliticalfigurestheworldhasseen,soheworkedhardonfindinganessenceofNixonthatcouldgrowthroughhimintoaversionofthePresidentthatwasinstantlyrecognizablebutwasnotgoingtobedismissedascaricature,thatwasrootedinsomethingnewandtruthfulratherthanjustpublicassumptions.

Q How do you stage what essentially is a television event? What stops the interviews themselves becoming too static?

A Theotherscenesinbetweenaddavarietyofpaceandtexture.Thatprincipleisusedintheinterviewscenes,justbeforetheactualencountersbetweenFrostandNixon,ensuringthattheaudienceiscarriedonahubofactiveexcitementsothatwhentheirfocuscomesdowntothesetwomensittinginarmchairsitisearntandweasanaudiencearereadytogiveitourcompleteattention.Eachinterviewisbuiltasitsowncrescendototheeventsthathavepreviouslytakenplace.

��

Michael(Grandage)alsoworkscloselywithhissoundandlightingdesignerstofindwaysofbringingcompletefocusonstagetowereitneedstobe.Whenyouseetheproduction,watchoutforthechangesinlightingandsoundjustbeforeeachinterview.Astheaudience’sattentionisfocusedsointenselyonthetwoactorsateverymovementitallowsagreatamountofdetailintheirperformances.Wespendeverydaylookingatpeopleinchairssoaudiencesarequitewelltrainedatreadingthemovementsofactorsinthissituation.Thatsortofrestrictionisalsonaturallyveryrevealingandinsomewaysyoucouldwatchthemwiththesoundoff,sotospeak,andstillbeabletofollowthesenseofwhatwashappening-atleastwhowasincontrolandhowtheotherwascoping.

Thisproductionusesthirty-sixtelevisionscreensinonegiantbankontheupstagewall.Thisimmediatelygivestheaudienceadifferentviewbutatthesametimeposesariskofunderminingwhatishappeningonstage.Wehavethreecameras:onedownstageleft,onedownstagerightandonefixedonalongshotinacentralposition.Untilthefinalfewquestionsofthelastinterviewwemainlyseethelongshotduringtheencounters,sotheaudienceareencouragedtowatchthemoreinterestingactiononstage.

UltimatelytheTVscreensmustsupportthenarrativewithoutbecomingadistractionorthemainevent.Thecamera,usedinquiteastaticfashion,ismoreabackdropthanaviewingpointuntilthelastinterview.HerethecamerascuttocloseupandjumpfromFrosttoNixonaseachonespeaksandwhenFrostlistenstoimportantanswersinthesamewayaTVshowwould.Atthesametimetheactorsforthisbitonlyaremikedsotheyspeakmoresoftly.Theaudiencemayfindthemselvesmoreengrossedinthescreensbutatthesametime,becausethisistheclimaxofthesetwocharacters’journeyswhotheaudiencehavetravelledwithforsolong,theviewerisconstantlyflittingbetweenthetwo.Thisoffersaveryrareexperience,allowingtheaudiencetopickandchoosewhattheylookatandwhen,whichiswhyitcanonlyworkforabriefperiod.However,ithappensatsuchaclimaticpointthatitmerelyaddstotheintensityofthemoment.Thekeywasfortheteamtobeabletocontroltheaudience’spointsofattentionontwolevels,screenandstage,ensuringthattheywouldalwaysbeseeingwhatweneededthemtoinordertotellthestorycompletely.

Discussion Point

Reflecting on FROST/NIXON, Assistant Director Hamish Pirie comments, ‘It was clear that the play chose to show us certain elements of the period and not others.’ Having seen the production and read through the background notes in this Study Guide what do you think he means? How does a writer gather material and construct an argument within a play?

Did you know

David Frost and actor Michael Sheen were both nearly professional footballers. The 17-year-old Frost was offered a contract by Nottingham Forest, while Sheen was talent-spotted by an Arsenal scout at the age of twelve.

��

Section5Ideasforfurtherstudy

Reading and research

TogainafullerunderstandingofPresidentNixon’sadministrationandtheWatergatescandalyoumaywanttolookatthefollowing:

www.whitehouse.govwww.nixonfoundation.orgwww.washingtonpost.com

Thefollowingfilmsprovideausefulbackgroundtoevents:

All the President’s Men(1976) DirectedbyAlanJ.Pakula,starringRobertRedfordasBobWoodwardandDustinHoffmanasCarlBernstein.

Nixon(1995) DirectedbyOliverStone,starringAnthonyHopkinsasRichardNixon.

ToseetheoriginalFrost/Nixoninterviewsgotowww.frost.tv

Bibliography

Websiteswww.wikipedia.orgwww.education.yahoo.comwww.whitehouse.govwww.washingtonpost.comwww.cnn.comwww.landmarkcases.orgwww.news.bbc.co.ukwww.politics.guardian.co.uk

NewspapersTimes,1July2006Sunday Times,23July2006Guardian,1August2006Independent,3August2006Metro,9August2006Times,14August2006Time Out,9-16August2006

Miscellaneous

FROST/NIXONProgramme,DonmarWarehouse,2006

5section

��

Endnotes

1 PeterMorgan’sauthor’snote,FROST/NIXONprogramme,2006

2 PeterMorganinterviewedbyGarethMcLeanintheGuardian,1August2006

3 PeterMorganquotedintheTimes,IanJohns,14August2006

4 PeterMorganinterviewedbyRichardBrooksintheSunday Times,23July2006

5 Ibid.

6 DavidFrostinterviewedbyIanJohnsintheTimes,1July2006

7 PeterMorganinterviewedbyRichardBrooksintheSunday Times,23July2006

8 Ibid.

9 DavidFrostinterviewedbyFionnualaSweeney,International Correspondents,CNN,12May2006

10 MichaelGrandagequotedinTime Out,RachelHalliburton,9-16August2006

11 AndrewMarr,‘TheCaseforCheekyYoungMen’,FROST/NIXONprogramme,2006

12 Ibid.

13 FrankLangellaquotedintheMetro,9August2006

14 DavidFrostinterviewedonLarry King Live,CNN,10June2002

15 MichaelSheeninterviewedbyIanJohnsintheTimes,14August2006

16 PeterMorganinterviewedbyGarethMcLeanintheGuardian,1August2006

17 PeterMorganinterviewedbyRichardBrooksintheSunday Times,23July2006

18 NedSherrinquotedinthe‘TheGuardianProfile:SirDavidFrost’,OwenGibson,27May2005

19 AndrewMarr,‘TheCaseforCheekyYoungMen’,FROST/NIXONprogramme,2006

20 MichaelSheeninterviewedbyMichaelCovenyintheIndependent,3August2006

21 MichaelSheeninterviewedbyIanJohnsintheTimes,14August2006

22 NedSherrinquotedinthe‘TheGuardianProfile:SirDavidFrost’,OwenGibson,27May2005

23 DavidFrostinterviewedbyIanJohnsintheTimes,1July2006

24 WilliamG.Stewartquotedinthe‘TheGuardianProfile:SirDavidFrost’,OwenGibson,27May2005

25 DavidFrostinterviewedbyIanJohnsintheTimes,1July2006

26 RichardNixonquotedathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard-Nixon

27 MichaelGrandagequotedinTime Out,RachelHalliburton,9-16August2006

28 DavidFrostinterviewedonLarry King Live,CNN,10June2002

��

TheDonmarWarehouseisanintimate

(notforprofit)251seattheatrelocated

intheheartofLondon’sWestEnd.The

theatreattractsalmost100,000peopleto

itsproductionsayear.Since1992,under

theArtisticDirectionofMichaelGrandage

andhispredecessor,SamMendes,the

theatrehaspresentedsomeofLondon’s

mostmemorabletheatricalexperiencesas

wellasgarneredcriticalacclaimathome

andabroad.Withadiverseartisticpolicy

thatincludesnewwriting,contemporary

reappraisingofEuropeanclassics,British

andAmericandramaandmusictheatre,the

Donmarhascreatedareputationforartistic

excellenceoverthelast12yearsandhas

won25OlivierAwards,12Critics’Circle

Awards,10EveningStandardAwardsand

10TonyAwardsforBroadwaytransfers.

FormoreinformationabouttheDonmar’sEducationActivities,pleasecontact:

DevelopmentDepartment,DonmarWarehouse,41EarlhamStreet,LondonWC2H9LX.

T:02078455815,F:02072404878,E:friends@donmarwarehouse.com.

About the Donmar Warehouse –

aspecialinsightintothetheatre