Stage Managing Chaos

A Diary of the Old Vic Production of Fernando Arrabal's The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria

Häftad, Engelska, 2016

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In the early 1970s London's National Theatre, led by Sir Laurence Olivier, launched an infamous avant garde production of The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria. Concerned that his classical approach would clash with the "enfant terrible" director, Victor Garcia, Olivier enlisted stage manager Jackie Harvey to keep a diary of the often ludicrous, occasionally creative, always challenging rehearsals.Anthony Hopkins and Jim Dale costarred in the surreal two-man piece. Led by the eccentric Garcia, the play quickly descended into a chaotic farce. Missed deadlines, technical hitches, unauthorized nudity and backstage feuds culminated in an unforgettable production, leaving the company debating: Was he a misunderstood genius or a brilliant con-artist?Accompanied by recollections from Hopkins, Dale and others, along with photographs and documents that bring the key players to life, this unique diary provides a snapshot of a crucial period in the history of the National Theatre.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2016-10-31
Mått152 x 229 x 10 mm
Vikt277 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor204
FörlagMcFarland & Co Inc
ISBN9781476666648
UtmärkelserShort-listed for 2016 Theatre Book Prize 2017 (Ukraine)

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Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsOriginal Program for the 1971 Production at London’s Old Vic TheatrePreface by Jackie HarveyIntroduction by Tim KelleherStage Manager’s DiaryFirst MeetingsWeek One: “From the moment I chose you I closed my eyes”Week Two: “Lost in a labyrinth”Week Three: “Psychology in the theatre”Week Four: “My problem, not theirs”Week Five: “A definite, clear, positive vision”Week Six: “Intellectual masturbation”Week Seven: “It is better without underpants”Week Eight: “Live baby crocodiles”Week Nine: “We had completely forgotten about him”Press ClippingsRecollectionsAnthony Hopkins (the Emperor)Jim Dale (the Architect)Jackie Harvey (Stage Manager)Jean-Norman Benedetti (Translator)Douglas Cornelissen (General Stage Manager)Marc Wilkinson (Music and Sound)Amanda Ducket (Assistant Stage Manager)Antony Horder (Sound Technician)Report on Rehearsals by the Centre Nationalla Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (1975)A Scenography of Light, by Brian Arnott (The Drama Review, 1973)Index