Images of Beckett
Images of Beckett
Out of Print
Images of Beckett combines John Haynes' unique repertoire of photographs of Beckett's dramatic opus alongside three newly written essays by Beckett's biographer and friend, James Knowlson. Haynes captures images of Beckett's work in progress and performance and includes hitherto unknown portraits of Beckett himself. Haynes was privileged to be present at the Royal Court Theatre, London, when Beckett directed his own plays. Amongst the 75 plates are compositions that include the leading interpreters of the plays. Knowlson's first essay combines a verbal portrait of Beckett with a personal memoir of the writer; the second considers the influence of paintings that Beckett loved or admired on his theatrical imagery; and the third offers a detailed, often first-hand, account of Beckett's work as a director of his own plays. The essays are the result of personal conversations with Beckett and attendance at rehearsals, and provide a privileged glimpse into the world of one of the theatre's most influential and enduring playwrights.
- Gathers valuable photos of Beckett, many never before published, in rehearsal and famous productions. Photos by John Haynes: one of the most well-known theatre photographers in the field
- Lively essays by James Knowlson: well-known Beckett biographer and personal friend of the playwright
- Will be of interest to theatre lovers and theatre scholars alike; accessible but full of new and important information
Reviews & endorsements
"This is a worthy volume, fascinating, not heavy-handed, and the pictures from Beckett's various plays, not to say his astonishing face, are a trip."
L.W. Milam, The Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy and the Humanities
"For those interested in Beckett's complex dialogue with art, Images of Beckett is richly rewarding."
American Theatre
"It offers a fresh look at a writer about whom much has already been written."
Irish America
"...a major contribution to the way we see modernism... the photos show us not only what Beckett's plays looked like in their original production, but also what Beckett had wanted them to look like. They are the closest we can get to seeing the plays realized in the way he had envisaged them today."
James Joyce Literary Supplement
Product details
October 2003Hardback
9780521822589
174 pages
197 × 257 × 20 mm
0.728kg
81 b/w illus.
Unavailable - out of print September 2011
Related links
Table of Contents
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- List of Illustrations
- 1. A Portrait of Beckett
- 2. Images of Beckett
- 3. Beckett as Director
- Notes
- Index.
