1/3/2007 - Elizabeth Taylor turns 75
To honour one of the most defining movie stars of the 20th century, Interview dedicated its February issue to Elizabeth Taylor, who turned 75 on the 27th last month. That gave me the idea to add some entries to one of my favourite actresses.
I love Elizabeth Taylor for her character, for her wit, her strength, her never ending love/hate relationship with the media, fed by her battles with food, alcohol and above all: love. I love Elizabeth Taylor for her entertainment value, which has given her worldwide audience so much to enjoy. But above all I love her for her portrayal of Maggie the Cat in Cat on a hot tin roof, based on the play by Tennessee Williams, and for her portrayal of Martha in Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?, based on the play by Edward Albee. I would choose these two plays as my most favourite plays of all time and I have no doubt Elizabeth Taylor has played an important part in this choice.
I’d like to start with a question from the Interview article What’s the one question that you’ve always wanted to ask Elizabeth Taylor but were afraid to ask?
The following question by Antony (Hegarty, from Antony and the Johnsons) caught my attention:
‘What is it that has allowed you to never feel defeated throughout all of these years and the trials in your life?’
I think Elizabeth Taylor gives the perfect answer in some of her most famous quotes:
‘I've been through it all, baby, I'm mother courage.’
‘I'm a survivor - a living example of what people can go through and survive.’
| 
