Jonathan Croall, the acknowledged authority on John Gielgud, will be at the Cinema Museum discussing the career and character of a man whom the great theatre critic Kenneth Tynan described as ‘not so much an actor as the actor’.
Two of Jonathan Croall’s critically acclaimed books on Gielgud (the extensive biography John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star and Gielgoodies! The Wit and Wisdom (and Gaffes) of John Gielgud) are now being published in paperback. To mark the occasion, Jonathan, a respected theatrical journalist and historian, will deliver a talk drawing on his wealth of research into Gielgud’s life, as well as his unique access to hundreds of Gielgud’s personal letters and to his close friends and family.
The story of Gielgud’s life is one of struggle, triumph and humour, and Jonathan’s critical biography charts Gielgud’s glittering career in full, from his first youthful Hamlet, via his triumphs on Broadway, to his later flowering in new plays by Pinter, Storey, Bond and Bennett. It offers fresh insights into his difficult relationship with Laurence Olivier, and his extraordinary partnership with Ralph Richardson. As a gay man Gielgud was forced to live a double life: as well as many frank letters to his lovers, the book provides the first full account of his sensational arrest and its traumatic aftermath.
Despite being the foremost Shakespearian actor of modern times, Gielgud was also a magnificent screen actor, imbuing numerous memorable scenes with his effortless poise and natural grandeur. His best loved roles include his Cassius in Julius Caesar, the lead in Alain Resnais’ Providence and his turn as Hobson the butler in Arthur, for which he won an Oscar.
Jonathan’s talk will include clips from some of these films, as well as passages from John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star, which has already received the following accolades:
‘What a particularly splendid tome it is. Such compelling, grown-up analysis’ – Simon Callow
‘John Gielgud was all light and humour, the most mercurial of men, and the most poetic of actors : Jonathan Croall is perfectly tuned in to every one of his qualities’ – David Hare
‘It’s marvellous – and best of all factual! Something of a rarity these days’ – Peter Hall
‘Jonathan Croall’s book gives an authentic flavour of the real Gielgud’ – Richard Eyre
‘John Gielgud’s life makes such a great story’ – Sunday Times
‘A huge new overview that will surely become definitive’ – New Statesman
‘Elegantly written … scented with the aroma of fresh revelations … riveting’ – Independent
TICKETS & PRICING
Autumn Season 2013 ticketing applies.
Advance tickets may be purchased from WeGotTickets, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.
