Gielgud: A Theatrical Life, 1904-2000

Jonathan Croall

Continuum, 2002 - Biography & Autobiography - 579 pages

This authoritative biography of John Gielgud deals in fascinating detail with the life and work of the greatest classical actor of the twentieth century. Drawing on recollections of more than a hundred friends and colleagues, Jonathan Croall captures vividly Gielgud's early struggles as an actor, his trail-blazing achievements as a director, actor-manager and interpreter of Shakespeare, and his late flowering in the plays of Pinter, Albee, Storey, Bond and Bennett and as an Oscar-winning movie star. It also uncovers Gielgud's difficult relationship with Laurence Olivier and reveals his courage in the face of a humiliating scandal that threatened to wreck his career. An absorbing portrait of a remarkable actor.

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Gielgud: a theatrical life

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When Sir John Gielgud died last year at the age of 96, he left a legacy that included almost 80 years as an actor/director/producer. He worked in film, radio, and TV, but most agree that the theater ...

About the author

Jonathan Croall is the author of twelve books, and has directed and written plays for the London fringe. Since 1991, he has been editor of the National Theatre's magazine StageWrite. He is currently working on a book about the National Theatre's production of Hamlet. He lives in London.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Gielgud: A Theatrical Life, 1904-2000
• Author: Jonathan Croall
• Publisher: Continuum, 2002
• ISBN: 0826414036, 9780826414038
• Length: 579 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts