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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
A great book to start off 2021 and a lot of fun to read from start to finish, anyone with any interest in British theatre will enjoy reading this. Hytner gives an inside view only he could provide, with plenty of stories about the famous names that have featured at the National during his tenure as Director. I particularly liked that Hytner wasn't afraid to admit his failings in the role and his experiences show in stark reality that theatre during his tenure was by no means perfect in terms of equality, funding or any other area. He does somewhat skirt over the issue that himself and all his predecessors were white Cambridge educated men and that he himself has been succeeded by Rufus Norris, another white man. Clearly there is still progress to be made by the National in this area. Nonetheless, this was a fascinating and often very funny read and I cannot deny that the work produced during Hytner's tenure has strongly influenced my views of what theatre should be and has led me to love the kind of theatre I do today.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Such an amazing book about this crazy and wonderful industry! Although the book was mainly male driven (ie, speaking about mostly male actors) I enjoyed learning about a director I want to work with one day, he has made some bloody amazing things happen within our industry which some have changed for the better. What a guy and what a book!
I love a behind-the-scenes-at-the-theater book, & the proper word for this one was delightful. I of course loved all the Shakespeare insights, but best was the behind the scenes stuff on 2 of the best non-Shakespeare plays I’ve ever seen, The History Boys & One Man, Two Guvnors. Such an entertaining read.
I love the National Theatre, but this book made me realize how male-centered it has been, even recently. About 15 men got extensive stories, and also Maggie Smith.
Toward the end it gets a big dull, but I enjoyed reading about how plays are chosen.
Toward the end it gets a big dull, but I enjoyed reading about how plays are chosen.
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Mixture of interesting anecdotes from Hyntner's career and musings about theatre, great to delve into if you're a theatre fan.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective