Samuel Beckett's Theatre in America: The Legacy of Alan Schneider as Beckett's American Director (New Interpretations of Beckett in the Twenty-First Century) - Hardcover

Bianchini, N.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1137439858 ISBN 13: 9781137439857

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015

Synopsis

When Alan Schneider agreed to direct the American premiere of Samuel Beckett's first published play, Waiting for Godot, in 1955, neither man knew that the play would be an unequivocal flop, nor that it would be the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Over

About this title

Review:

"The professional and personal relationship between a remarkable director and an extraordinary playwright finds in Bianchini's volume the kind of examination it has long deserved. Re-tracing each of their collaborations - from the earliest phase of Schneider's research and planning, through his notes and correspondence with Beckett and the rehearsal process, to performance and critical response - the author offers an insightful and comprehensive study of two creative greats that makes for a truly wonderful read!" - Lois Oppenheim, Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures, Montclair State University, USA and Past President of The Samuel Beckett Society

"Bianchini explores the extraordinary intimacy between playwright, Samuel Beckett, and director, Alan Schneider, in this scrupulously documented history, detailing the specifics of Schneider's obsessive desire to accurately portray Beckett's plays in accordance with the author's wishes. In an age where director's concepts weigh far more heavily than the playwright's intentions, Bianchini's focus on Schneider's interpretive art is refreshing, absorbing, and incredibly helpful not only to Beckett scholars, but to any directing students interested in understanding how to approach a script." - David A. Crespy, Professor of Playwriting, Acting, & Dramatic Literature, University of Missouri, USA, and President of The Edward Albee Society

Review:

“This book is a readable, often fascinating work that relies on a host of source material never before brought together ... Samuel Beckett’s Theatre in America will be of enormous assistance to those who wish to better understand either of its central characters, or the American theatre especially in the period from 1956-71, or indeed the relationship between playwright and director in the theatrical process.” (Richard Jones, the Journal of American Drama and Theatre, Vol. 30 (2), 2018)

About this edition

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1137439858
• ISBN 13: 9781137439857
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 219