Overview
In 1982, rising actor Antony Sher played the Fool to Michael Gambon's King in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear. Shortly after, he came back to Stratford to play Richard III – a breakthrough performance that would transform his career, winning him the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Actor. Sher's record of the making of this historic theatrical event, Year of the King, has become a classic of theatre writing, a unique insight into the creation of a landmark Shakespearean performance.
More than thirty years later, Antony Sher returned to Lear, this time in the title role, for the 2016 RSC production directed by Gregory Doran. Sher's performance was acclaimed by the Telegraph as 'a crowning achievement in a major career', and the show transferred from Stratford to London's Barbican. Once again, he kept a diary, capturing every step of his personal and creative journey to opening night.
Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries is Sher's account of researching, rehearsing and performing what is arguably Shakespeare's most challenging role, known as the Everest of Acting. His strikingly honest, illuminating and witty commentary provides an intimate, first-hand look at the development of his Lear and of the production as a whole. Also included is a selection of his paintings and sketches, many reproduced in full colour.
Like his Year of the King and Year of the Fat Knight: The Falstaff Diaries, this book, Year of the Mad King, offers a fascinating perspective on the process of one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of his generation.
'One of the finest books I have ever read on the process of acting' Time Out on Year of the King
'Antony Sher's insider journal is a brilliant exploded view of a great actor at work – modest and gifted, self-centred and selfless – a genius capable of transporting us backstage' Craig Raine, The Spectator (Books of the Year) on Year of the Fat Knight
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9781788500234 |
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Publisher: | Hern, Nick Books |
Publication date: | 03/15/2018 |
Sold by: | Bookwire |
Format: | eBook |
Pages: | 256 |
File size: | 11 MB |
Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
Table of Contents
1 The American Lear May-August 2015 1
2 Lear-learning August-September 2015 31
3 A Big Birthday September-October 2015 45
4 Husbands? October-December 2015 53
5 Big Bard Year January-February 2016 73
6 Shashibiya February-March 2016 93
7 Dimbleby March 2016 111
8 Dumbo March-May 2016 119
9 The Villa Solemar May 2016 141
10 A Little Bit of Noise May-June 2016 155
11 Lear's Ear June-July 2016 165
12 Enter King Lear… July-September 2016 209
Epilogue October 2016 237