So the first time I ever came into contact with O'Toole was at one of these very gatherings. I remember it well because I'd just punched Harold Pinter down a flight of stairs. Oh yes, I'm afraid so. No long dramatic pauses this time, Harold; he got one right on the side of the jaw. Wham!
In "Absolute Pandemonium: My Louder Than Life Story," Brian Blessed shares a vivid memory of his first encounter with O'Toole during a gathering. He recounts a rather dramatic incident involving Harold Pinter, where he admits to having punched Pinter down a flight of stairs. Blessed describes the moment with a sense of humor, emphasizing the swift nature of the altercation, highlighting the lack of dramatic pauses in this unexpected event.
This anecdote not only reflects Blessed's larger-than-life personality but also provides a glimpse into the theatrical world he navigated. The surprising and somewhat chaotic nature of the encounter illustrates the vibrant, sometimes tumultuous relationships among prominent figures in the arts, revealing the underlying tensions that can exist even in social settings.
