Synopses & Reviews
This is the authorised and fully documented history of the 50-year career of the late Sir Nigel Hawthorne, beloved star of Yes Minister, Privates on Parade, Shadowlands, and The Madness of George III. Enriched and illuminated by the personal insights of the actor himself, it also includes interviews with his close friends and colleagues, including Alan Bennett, Samuel Goldwyn Jnr, Nicholas Hytner, Thelma Holt, Jonathan Lynn and Sheridan Morley.
Structured along the lines of a play, the book comprises three distinct 'Acts': the first covers the developmental phase of Nigel Hawthorne's career, in South Africa, in provincial rep in England, and his life-changing discovery by the highly innovative Joan Littlewood. Act Two explores the distinctive qualities of the mature actor and gives fascinating details of his acting methodology: how he researched and prepared roles, his intense study of the play text, and, crucially, his interaction with fellow actors, writers and directors. There is also an 'Interval' which deals with Sir Nigel's own work as a director. Act Three consists of uniquely detailed chronologies.
In focusing on the personal journey of one of Britain's finest actors, Nigel Hawthorne on Stage also gives an excellent appraisal of post-war English theatre, including particularly valuable material about Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop and the controversial English Stage Company at the Royal Court.
Synopsis
Presenting a fresh look at postwar theater, this study of the late Sir Nigel Hawthornes 50-year career in the theater focuses on the personal journey of one of Britains finest actors. Providing detailed analysis of Hawthorne's stage work, this authorized biography is illuminated and enriched by personal insights derived from Hawthorne's own memories and those of his colleagues. Broad discussions about Hawthorne's personal development as well as the direction stage acting took in the 20th century are integrated with details about the actor's extensive career.
About the Author
Kathleen Riley is a young Australian academic currently completing a PhD on Euripides' play The Madness of Herakles at Oxford University. A great admirer of the work of Nigel Hawthorne, she approached the actor for an interview backstage at Stratford-on-Avon during his last great performance, as King Lear. This book is partly a product of the many conversations she went on to have with him until his death in 2001.