Olivier: The Authorised Biography

Used
Paperback
2006
$4.07

Olivier is an unexpected portrait of the twentieth century's greatest actor. His was a fairytale story - the clergyman's son who, on the strength of one season at the Old Vic , became a great Shakespearean actor and went on to conquer Hollywood - yet Olivier struggled with the dark side of his genius. Abandoning his first wife, he married Vivien Leigh; a manic depressive, she dominated his life for twenty years. When he finally wrenched himself away, he was plagued by a guilt that only incessant work could expiate. He married Joan Plowright, had a new young family, and was the founding director of the National Theatre - yet even the NT, he felt, ended in betrayal. Drawing on his unlimited and uncensored access to Olivier's personal papers, love letters and diaries, Terry Coleman has written a landmark biography.

Synopsis

"Olivier" is an unexpected portrait of the twentieth century's greatest actor. His was a fairytale story - the clergyman's son who, on the strength of one season at the "Old Vic", became a great Shakespearean actor and went on to conquer Hollywood - yet Olivier struggled with the dark side of his genius. Abandoning his first wife, he married Vivien Leigh; a manic depressive, she dominated his life for twenty years. When he finally wrenched himself away, he was plagued by a guilt that only incessant work could expiate. He married Joan Plowright, had a new young family, and was the founding director of the National Theatre - yet even the NT, he felt, ended in betrayal. Drawing on his unlimited and uncensored access to Olivier's personal papers, love letters and diaries, Terry Coleman has written a landmark biography.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 624
Edition: New
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 21 Aug 2006
ISBN 10: 0747580804
ISBN 13: 9780747580805
Book Overview: A masterly biography of a major twentieth-century figure, for fans of Sheila Hancock's The Two of Us and The Diaries of Kenneth Tynan 32pp of personal and family photographs, many previously unpublished

Media Reviews

'***** It presents a full account of Olivier's genius: the single-minded determination to make himself a great Shakespearean actor, the courage and invention of his stagecraft, the ruthless zeal to be the best' Mail on Sunday 'Coleman is an immensely distinguished journalist and biographer ... Everything about the book is as far removed from the standard showbiz biography as could be imagined, from its clean and muscular prose to its rigorous methodology ... It is stuffed with fascinating new information' Simon Callow, Guardian 'Olivier was one hell of an actor and he also had one hell of a life, and Coleman relates it with relish ... He captures the actor's corrosive sense of guilt and fear, as well as his daring and his sheer pluck' Sunday Telegraph 'Tremendous ... the chapters on his period at the National Theatre convey pathos and understanding' Sunday Times

Author Bio

Terry Coleman, as a political journalist, interviewed eight prime ministers, from Macmillan to Blair, and in 1988 was named journalist of the year. His previous books include a biographical study of Thomas Hardy and a widely acclaimed biography of Nelson.