Stage managing chaos : a diary of the Old Vic production of Fernando Arrabal's The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria / Jackie Harvey with Tim Kelleher ; featuring recollections by Anthony Hopkins and Jim Dale ; excerpts from the play translated by Jean Benedetti.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harvey, Jackie (British stage manager), author.

Kelleher, Tim, 1986- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Arrabal, Fernando. Architecte et l'Empereur d'Assyrie--Criticism and interpretation.

Arrabal, Fernando.

Physical Description:

vii, 192 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2016]

Summary:

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. Book jacket.

Contents:

Stage Manager's Diary 13

First Meetings 14

Week 1 "From the moment I chose you I closed my eyes" 17

Week 2 "Lost in a labyrinth" 24

Week 3 "Psychology in the theatre" 34

Week 4 "My problem, not theirs" 42

Week 5 "A definite, clear, positive vision" 56

Week 6 "Intellectual masturbation" 67

Week 7 "It is better without underpants" 84

Week 8 "Live baby crocodiles" 100

Week 9 "We had completely forgotten about him" 119

Press Clippings 133

Recollections 137

Anthony Hopkins (the Emperor) 138

Jim Dale (the Architect) 145

Jackie Harvey (Stage Manager) 150

Jean-Norman Benedetti (Translator) 152

Douglas Cornelissen (General Stage Manager) 154

Marc Wilkinson (Music and Sound) 156

Amanda Ducket (Assistant Stage Manager) 157

Antony Horder (Sound Technician) 159.

Notes:

Includes index.

ISBN:

9781476666648

1476666644

OCLC:

951509733