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katewithtea's review
4.0
I used this book for my dissertation about the National Theatre and found it really informative and a good window into what goes on behind the scenes
cimorene1558's review
4.0
My interest in English Theatre mostly pre-dates Nicholas Hytner, but I nonetheless enjoyed this very much. There were enough familiar names and plays for me to follow, and I'm still pretty interested in theatre, although I no longer have any ambition to be an actor myself.
daisyvb's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book was such a fresh take on the genre. Reads like a gossip magazine but the author clearly has enough experience and knowledge to ground it and stop it from becoming tawdry. Each name drop actually lends something to the experience and its so fascinating to peek behind the curtain of one of the most prestigious theatrical institutes of the UK in such a tell all way. Nicholas Hytner allows us in with good humour, wit, and a whole heap of entertaining anecdotes. The fact he doesn't hold back from uncovering his and others mistakes, successes, secrets and journeys makes this a worthwhile effort; if he'd tried to play coy, overly humble or cocky and guarded this would have been just another pointless tease of a vanity project. Thank God he's a theatre kid and therefore loves the drama. I would read again and recommend to many people.
lydiahousley's review against another edition
4.0
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.
reabailey's review against another edition
5.0
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!
lgiegerich's review
5.0
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.