Friday, January 4, 2013

Gielgud: An Actor and His Time

Gielgud: An Actor and His Time, a memoir by Sir John Gielgud  255 pp.

This memoir, written twenty-one years before the actor's death, chronicles his life in the theater up to 1979. He was born into a family of actors (the Terrys), with grandparents, great uncles, great aunts, aunts, uncles and cousins who were all well known on the English stage. Gielgud divided the book into chapters each covering 10-15 years of performances he acted in or directed. There are anecdotes about particular actors he worked with as well as technical discussions of various productions. Frequently mentioned is his work with friend and fellow actor Ralph Richardson on the stage and in motion pictures and the book is dedicated to Richardson and his wife, Mu. Gielgud mentions nothing about his personal relationship with impresario, Hugh "Binkie" Beaumont except in terms of their professional life. His partner of thirty-five years, Martin Hensler does not appear in the book at all. Many photos of the actor in his various roles are included.

No comments:

Post a Comment