Joan’s Book

By: Joan Littlewood

ISBN-13: 9781474233224
ISBN-10: 1474233228
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published date: 2016-07-28
Others write plays, direct them and act in them: [Joan Littlewood] alone “makes theatre” (Kenneth Tynan)Alongside Peter Brook, Joan Littlewood has come to be known as the most galvanising director of mid-20th-century Britain, as well as a founder of so many of the practices of contemporary theatre, affectionately being termed “The Mother of Modern Theatre”.Littlewood took her principles from the work of Stanislavski, Meyerhold, Brecht and Laban, and used them to influence her own methods of actor training. A fundamental trait of the company’s methods under Littlewood’s leadership was improvisation within rehearsal. The company’s best-known work included the development and premieres of Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey, Brendan Behan’s The Hostage and The Quare Fellow, and the iconic Oh What A Lovely War. This autobiography offers an unparalleled first-hand account of Littlewood’s extraordinary life and career, from illegitimate child in south-east London to one of the most influential directors and practitioners of the twentieth century. It is published here in Methuen Drama’s Theatre Makers series with a new introduction by Philip Hedley CBE, previously Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East and Assistant Director to Joan Littlewood. ‘Joan [Littlewood] was a revolutionary and a visionary. She changed the course of British theatre. She opened the doors to a different breed of actor’ Sheila Hancock’Once upon a time the London theatre was a charming mirror held up to cosiness. Then came Joan Littlewood, smashing the glass, blasting the walls, letting the wind of life blow in a rough but ready world. Today, we remember this irresistible force with love and gratitude.’ Peter BrookThe edition also features a foreword by Peter Rankin.