Theatre of the People: Donald Wolfit's Shakespearean Productions 1937-1953 - Tapa dura

This scholarly but accessible book is one for theatre historians or anyone studying performances of the past. . . .Raw focuses on a major Shakespeare production featuring Wolfit in each chapter. So, for example, in 1945 we find the actor at Grand Theatre Leeds playing Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Raw's detailed account of the production includes how it came about, the context in which the show was staged and a great deal of information about the concept of the show including its set, direction and interpretation. . . .Among the other twelve productions discussed Raw includes Wolfit's Hamlet at Malvern Festival Theatre in 1937 and his Macbeth at Dudley Hippodrome in 1950. For a scrupulously written analysis of Wolfit's Shakespeare achievements you're unlikely to do better. * The Stage * I am so very pleased and gratified that you have drawn, in your biography, a portrait of my father which is so true to the best of the man I remember and recognising his very real contribution to the British theatre, whilst at the same time not glossing over his undoubted flaws. I particularly appreciate the wide context in which you have set his work as a touring actor manager, and was most interested in all the references you quote. -- Harriet Graham, daughter of Sir Donald Wolfit

This book looks at how performances of Shakespeare in the Second World War (and post-war years) not only commented on the strife happening outside the theatre, but drew audiences together in a shared sense of community as a way of resisting the enemy. This examination is through the lens of one particular theatre actor/manager, Donald Wolfit, whose productions were extremely popular at the time. Wolfit was the model for "Sir" in Ronald Harwood's play The Dresser and is remembered fondly by British audiences.