John Gielgud Livres

" The Marquis lay there, like stone, with a knife pushed into his heart. On his chest lay a piece of paper, with the words : Drive him fast to the grave. This is from Jacques. " The French Revolution brings terror and death to many people. But even in these troubled times people tan still love and be kind. They tan be generous and true-hearted... and brave.

In true Bryson style, in a study that manages to be witty, amusing and anecdotal as well as informative, on one of the greatest British dramatists that has ever lived, he recounts his travels during which he discusses Shakespeare and his life with expert academics, actors, directors and theatre managers, while following the Stratford route.

In "An Actor and His Time" John Gielgud tells the story of his life in the theatre - a story already enjoyed by millions of radio listeners and which tells of the plays he starred in and directed, and of the actors and actresses he knew. And, as the curtain rises on Ellen Terry, on Sarah Bernhardt, on Mrs Patrick Campbell, Sir Ralph Richardson, Richard Burton and many others, sixty glorious years of British theatre unfold before our eyes.

'In this comprehensive volume, we see the actor in a range of roles: loving son, wicked gossip, star actor, indecisive director, anguished lover, brilliant anecdotist¿This splendid book reveals an infinitely complicated and attractive character. We may not look upon his like again' Jonathan Croall, SpectatorThe above quotes sums it up - this astonishing collection of letters brings us up close to one of the foremost, and best loved, actors of this century. John Gielgud wrote letters almost every day of his adult life. Whether at home in London or abroad, he delighted in recounting what he felt about events around him. Here for the first time - and not previously available to biographers - are Gielgud's love letters. They show that he was not shy is expressing the intimacies of personal relationships. He also loved gossip and writes about his contemporaries, including the great actors of period: Olivier, Richardson, Redgrave, Peggy Ashcroft, Edith Evans and the like. A revealing account but also a hugely warm and compelling insight into a man of many sides.