Helen McCrory's voice filled the stage once more last night as her husband Damian Lewis squeezed his eyes shut and clasped his hands.
It is nine months since he was robbed of his wife, the late Harry Potter and Peaky Blinders actress, who died from breast cancer aged 52.
And it was the first time Homeland and Wolf Hall actor Lewis had spoken publicly about his loss.
Damian Lewis with Helen McCrory in 2012. It is nine months since he was robbed of his wife, the late Harry Potter and Peaky Blinders actress, who died from breast cancer aged 52
With their daughter Manon, 15, and son Gulliver, 14, in the audience at the National Theatre, he maintained his composure as he paid tribute to his 'perfect Helen'.
To rapturous applause, he led an evening of poetry devoted to the memory of his wife of 14 years, who died last April.
And the 900-strong audience applauded again after a video was played of her reading poetry at a previous event, during which Lewis sat with his eyes shut, soaking up her voice.
'This evening is dedicated to her and it's perfect, because Helen loved the National Theatre,' he said. 'One person whose thunder would absolutely not be stolen was Helen McCrory.'
Lewis read the final piece of verse, Everything Is Going To Be All Right, by Irish poet Derek Mahon
Two days after her death, Lewis penned a heartbreaking tribute to her 'fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty', telling the world he had 'never known anyone able to enjoy life as much'.
He added that 'she's left our beautiful children too early, but they have been prepared for life.
She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid. As she said repeatedly to the children, 'Don't be sad'... Her generosity has extended to encouraging us three to live. Live fully, take opportunities, have adventures.'
Last night Lewis, 50, presided over an hour-long performance packed with joy, sorrow, melancholy reflection and what the writer Allie Esiri called 'the general nonsense of life'.
