Playing Lear
An insider's guide from text to performance
Published on 16. January 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-85459-698-7 (ISBN)
Description
A unique insight into Shakespeare's most monumentally complex character - and the play that bears his name - from a highly respected actor and former academic.
The genesis for Playing Lear came when Oliver Ford Davies was asked to play Lear for the Almeida Theatre in 2002. The book is both an in-depth analysis of the play, in which the author looks at the many possible interpretations of both play and character, and a rehearsal diary in which we see the author's personal journey through the role, starting with his re-examination of the text and culminating in the first night performance and beyond.
Playing Lear comes with 16 pages of production photographs, and is written with great clarity and perception and with all the rigour and authority one would expect from a former academic and drama critic.
'Of the many books I have read about acting Shakespeare, this is one of the most intelligent and honest' John Barton
'One of the most moving and intelligent Lears I have ever seen ... such truth, and such clarity, that one feels like cheering' Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph
The genesis for Playing Lear came when Oliver Ford Davies was asked to play Lear for the Almeida Theatre in 2002. The book is both an in-depth analysis of the play, in which the author looks at the many possible interpretations of both play and character, and a rehearsal diary in which we see the author's personal journey through the role, starting with his re-examination of the text and culminating in the first night performance and beyond.
Playing Lear comes with 16 pages of production photographs, and is written with great clarity and perception and with all the rigour and authority one would expect from a former academic and drama critic.
'Of the many books I have read about acting Shakespeare, this is one of the most intelligent and honest' John Barton
'One of the most moving and intelligent Lears I have ever seen ... such truth, and such clarity, that one feels like cheering' Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph
Reviews / Votes
"From Michael Billington's Guardian review of the production: 'A highly intelligent actor..., Oliver Ford Davies has a commanding presence, a resonant voice and is every inch the patriarchal bully confronting his own moral blindness...'More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
325 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85459-698-7 (9781854596987)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2016
Nick Hern Books
€11.49
Available for download
Person
Oliver Ford Davies was a university lecturer and then a drama critic for The Guardian before turning to acting. He has played major roles for the RSC and the National. His Lear for the Almeida in early 2002 marked his debut in the role.