John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star by Jonathan Croall (English) Paperback

Description: John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star by Jonathan Croall The paperback edition of the acclaimed definitive life of John Gielgud, arguably the greatest classical actor of the twentieth century. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description New in paperback, John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star is the most authoritative and comprehensive account of the finest classical actor of the twentieth century. This entertaining but critical biography charts the ups and downs of Gielguds long and glittering career, from his young ground-breaking Hamlet to his later success in plays by Pinter, Storey, Bond and Bennett, and his recognition as a major movie star following his role in Arthur. It also reassesses his complex relationship with his great rival Laurence Olivier and throws fresh light on his personal relationships and the turbulent episodes of his private life that threatened to shatter his career.For this biography Jonathan Croalls exhaustive research has included over a hundred new interviews with key people from his life and career, including Peter Brook, Kenneth Branagh, Alec Guinness, Joan Plowright and Eileen Atkins, and it draws on several hundred letters to and from Gielgud that have never been published, including correspondences with Noël Coward, Somerset Maugham, Siegfried Sassoon, Edith Evans and Edward Gordon Craig. What emerges is an intimate, complex and often startling portrait of this great actor and much-loved man.Gielguds interpretations of Shakespeares great roles made Shakespeares plays a commercial success on Londons West End for the first time. He was also hugely influential as a director and an actor-manager and worked extensively in film and television later in life. Since Jonathan Croalls first biography of Gielgud was published in 2000 a considerable amount of new material has come to light and the result is a much more rounded, candid and richly textured portrait of this celebrated stage and screen actor. Notes New in paperback, this is an authoritative and comprehensive portrait of this leading classical actor of the 20th century, which has been updated to take into account newly available material. Author Biography Jonathan Croall is the author of Buzz Buzz: Playwrights, Actors and Directors at the National Theatre. He worked as features editor on the Times Educational Supplement and as editor of Arts Express magazine, the National Theatres magazine StageWrite, and programmes at the Old Vic. Review His public loved him, and so does the author of this thoroughly readable biography. * New Statesman *John Gielguds life makes such a good story...the book is a significant reminder of a silken-voiced, altogether singular talent. * Sunday Times *An authoritative, nicely balanced account of both Gielguds public and private lives...Croall also emphasizes what an important, modernizing figure he was as a director...This is by no means an uncritical biography of Gielgud - Croall illustrates his character defects of snobbery, tactlessness...and impatience...but overall he comes across as an attractively modest man with a mischievous sense of humour, possessing an evergreen enthusiasm for and deep understanding of theatre. This book does full justice to a protean performer who bestrode the stage like a Colossus. * Exeunt *The work of a stage actor, however great, is writ on water...It was for his theatrical work that Kenneth Tynan (who, mind you, preferred Laurence Olivier) could refer to [Gielgud] as not an actor, but the actor....So, whatever the limitations of merely reading about a magnificent actor, it is gratifying to have such a well-researched and fluently written, committed yet not adulatory biography...[Gielgud] emerges as a witty, charming, conversationally apt human being. (refers to the previously released edition) * New York Times *(A) tremendous biography...the result of a great deal more material which had become available to the biographer -- mostly letters, but also people more willing to speak openly. (The contents) illuminate not only the man himself but also the great changes that have taken place in social and legal attitudes in the past half-century. This is a splendid book, impressively researched and extremely readable. * Harriet Devines Blog *Elegantly written...scented with the aroma of fresh revelations...riveting. * Independent *As entertaining and full of variety as the subject himself * Oldie Magazine *I really enjoyed reading it. In fact its marvellous - and best of all FACTUAL! Thats something of a rarity these days. * Peter Hall *I am so grateful for the close scrutiny you give the performances: their context, their aspiration, their achievement. Its compelling, grown-up analysis. * Simon Callow *If what you want from the genre of showbiz biography is sleaze or sycophancy, youll have to look elsewhere. What is on offer here is something else. Croall manages the difficult balancing act of maintaining a discreet distance from his subject while at the same time seeming to have immersed himself in that subjects complexity. * Inside Story *An unexpectedly enjoyable book to read... I found Croall a good navigator through the curious narrative of Gielguds life...Croall manages to round out his portrait with nuance, new information and a gusto that drives the narrative... the larger story of a man with a mercurial talent, utterly committed to his craft, alive to instinct and nuance with a magical quota of talent, is well told. * The New Zealand Herald *By the end of Jonathan Croalls massive homage to Sir John Gielgud, the great actor seems like an old friend... This meticulously researched book can be read as more than merely a biography of a single man, since it is wide-ranging enough to place his life in the context of theatre across the 20th century. Readers are therefore able to learn much about trends in drama throughout Gielguds lifetime. Sir John Gielgud was a man of the theatre the like of whom we may never see again. Therefore, the ever-readable Jonathan Croall should be warmly congratulated on researching and writing what must surely be the definitive biography. * British Theatre Guide *A glorious tome. * Ronald Harwood *Jonathan Croalls book gives an authentic flavour of the real Gielgud. * Richard Eyre *Both the career and the man are brought to brilliant life...Jonathan Croall stakes a serious claim to be the most notable theatrical biographer of the day. -- Brian McFarlane * Australian Book Review *John Gielgud was all light and humour, the most mercurial of men, and the most poetic of actors: Jonathan Croall is perfectly tuned in to every one of his qualities. * David Hare *A huge new overview that will surely become definitive. * New Statesman *A magnificent book – a model of meticulous research and sympathy with the subject. * Derek Parker, writer and broadcaster * Promotional The paperback edition of the acclaimed definitive life of John Gielgud, arguably the greatest classical actor of the twentieth century. Long Description New in paperback, John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star is the most authoritative and comprehensive account of the finest classical actor of the twentieth century. This entertaining but critical biography charts the ups and downs of Gielguds long and glittering career, from his young ground-breaking Hamlet to his later success in plays by Pinter, Storey, Bond and Bennett, and his recognition as a major movie star following his role in Arthur. It also reassesses his complex relationship with his great rival Laurence Olivier and throws fresh light on his personal relationships and the turbulent episodes of his private life that threatened to shatter his career...For this biography Jonathan Croalls exhaustive research has included over a hundred new interviews with key people from his life and career, including Peter Brook, Kenneth Branagh, Alec Guinness, Joan Plowright and Eileen Atkins, and it draws on several hundred letters to and from Gielgud that have never been published, including correspondences with Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham, Siegfried Sassoon, Edith Evans and Edward Gordon Craig. What emerges is an intimate, complex and often startling portrait of this great actor and much-loved man...Gielguds interpretations of Shakespeares great roles made Shakespeares plays a commercial success on Londons West End for the first time. He was also hugely influential as a director and an actor-manager and worked extensively in film and television later in life. Since Jonathan Croalls first biography of Gielgud was published in 2000 a considerable amount of new material has come to light and the result is a much more rounded, candid and richly textured portrait of this celebrated stage and screen actor... Review Quote The work of a stage actor, however great, is writ on water...It was for his theatrical work that Kenneth Tynan (who, mind you, preferred Laurence Olivier) could refer to [Gielgud] as not an actor, but the actor....So, whatever the limitations of merely reading about a magnificent actor, it is gratifying to have such a well-researched and fluently written, committed yet not adulatory biography...[Gielgud] emerges as a witty, charming, conversationally apt human being. (refers to the previously released edition) Promotional "Headline" The paperback edition of the acclaimed definitive life of John Gielgud, arguably the greatest classical actor of the twentieth century. Feature Unrivalled in its scope, detail and research to provide the definitive portrait Details ISBN1408179458 Author Jonathan Croall Year 2012 ISBN-10 1408179458 ISBN-13 9781408179451 Media Book Format Paperback Pages 736 Imprint Methuen Drama Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 792.028092 Illustrations ports. Series Biography and Autobiography Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Language English Short Title JOHN GIELGUD Affiliation Theatre Historian, UK Subtitle Matinee Idol to Movie Star UK Release Date 2012-09-13 NZ Release Date 2012-09-13 Publication Date 2012-09-13 Audience General AU Release Date 2012-10-31 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:50759221;

Price: 135.65 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2025-01-28T05:29:33.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 AUD