Familiar as the voice of the Shipping Forecast and Radio 4 news, Zeb Soanes is bringing his rich tones to play Sir Alec Guinness on the stage.
Throughout an extraordinary six decade career the double Oscar winner performed everything from Shakespeare, to comedies and serious roles including John Le Carre’s spy George Smiley, and Lt Colonel Nicholson in Bridge On The River Kwai.
But he’s perhaps most famous for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars movie – a role he came to resent and feared would define his career.
Soanes, who lives in Islington, will be delving into Sir Alec’s 70 plays and 50 films in the witty and heartfelt show Two Halves of Guinness.
Marking the 25th anniversary of Sir Alec’s death, it sets off on tour in January ending with a run at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park.
At the age of 17, Soanes wrote a letter of admiration to his hero Sir Alec, who penned a neatly hand-written reply within a week, wishing him luck in his acting career.
The Classic FM presenter said: “Alec Guinness had an enigmatic quality that drew you into his performances – to join him in whichever game he was playing.
“His ability to inhabit such a vast array of characters, exploring the many faces of himself, was hugely appealing to me when I was growing up and inspired me to pursue a career in acting.
“Now, 25 years since his death, it is a delight to celebrate his remarkable talent – and in many of the theatres he knew.”
For Star Wars fans, Two Halves of Guinness will be a chance to learn more about the performer behind the light sabre and Jedi robe.
He was born Alec Guinness de Cuffe in Lauderdale Road, Maida Vale, in 1914.
He began his stage career at the age of 20, soon joining the Old Vic acting company performing Shakespeare alongside John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson.
Post war film roles included Dickens adaptations and a slew of Ealing comedies from Kind Hearts and Coronets, to The Lavender Hill Mob, The Ladykillers, and The Man in The White Suit.
His work with legendary film maker David Lean ranged from Oliver Twist to Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago.
Then came the role in George Lucas’ 1977 sci fi movie – a part subsequently played by Ewan McGregor in prequels and a spin-off
In letters to his friends, Guinness described it as “fairy-tale rubbish” but agreed to the part when the studio doubled his salary, gave him a share of royalties, and said he didn’t have to promote the movie.
After seeing the movie for the first time he wrote in his diary of the “excruciating” and “lamentable” dialogue, but praised the spectacle, technical brilliance and warm-hearted story.
He later became dismayed by the fandom and feared the “silly role” overshadowed his career, but admitted in his autobiography Blessings in Disguise, that the royalties left him comfortable for life.
Two Halves of Guinness is written by Mark Burgess and directed by Selina Cadell. It is on tour from January 29, running at Park Theatre from April 20 to May 2. www.twohalvesofguinness.com
