We are engaged in performing four shows by night and restaging four different shows by day. And restaging all the understudy work as well. This is a lot of work. And my mind has turned to slush.Nick Asbury was in the ensemble from the Royal Shakespeare Company who; over the course of two and a half years; performed eight history plays by Shakespeare in repertory; beginning with the overthrow of Richard II and ending with the death of Richard III: a sequence of productions both critically acclaimed and watched by over 250;000 people. To keep a record of his involvement in this extraordinary and ambitious project; Nick wrote a Blog which was posted on the RSC website. This in turn became a massive success; regularly notching up 6;000 hits a week from avid followers around the world. Through Nicks engaging; observant; often hilarious words; we experience the camaraderie of actors; the terror of forgetting lines; technical difficulties; money problems; finding strange things in the bath; thirty-three broadsword fights and; and; of course; the ever-present threat of being assaulted by demented badgers after a performance.Nominated as one of Six Inspiring Biographies or Memoirs Every Actor Should Read by Drama Bookshop New York; this really is a must have book for all actors and theatre fans.
#1486924 in eBooks 2006-08-01 2006-08-01File Name: B00AKDNNQU
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. "Ever Up and Onward" Billy StrayhornBy A. Alyce ClaerbautLush Life is the award-winning watershed biography of the life of Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967). In 2011; the book was selected by New York Times Magazine as one of the top 100 non-fiction titles of all time. Billy Strayhorns story is compelling; especially in this day and age. He is best known as the collaborator with the great Duke Ellington. His best-known works are "Take The A Train" (the Ellington theme song) and "Lush Life". Hajdus biography tells of his life from the perspective of those who knew him. Hajdu did more than 400 interviews of people including musicians; friends; family; noted celebrities and other entertainment professionals who had personal knowledge of Strayhorns life and career.A black; gay musician in the 1940s Strayhorn chose to live his life openly. There was a price to pay. Many forces sprang into play that caused his legacy to be nearly invisible. One factor involved the complicated relationship with Ellington who was not only his collaborator but also had the total power of publishing his works. There were many works for which Strayhorn was not credited and/or where Ellingtons name was added. In addition; Ellingtons publicist; known to be homophobic; instituted practices that served to keep Strayhorns genius out of the spotlight. Some involved removing his name from playbills/program notes; etc.Billy Strayhorn died prematurely on May 31; 1967 from cancer at the age of 51.Strayhorn; whose catalog consists of a magnitude of titles; is best known as the most unfamous significant musician of the 20th century. Recent research; including Hajdus LUSH LIFE; has served to remove the historical cloud and to reveal a life story so rich; so sad; so tragic; and so amazing--a "page turner" that brings the magnificent fruit of a hard life to full view. It is not necessary to know anything about music or to be a jazz buff to be inspired by this book.A. Alyce Claerbaut2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fabulous bookBy Nancy GriffinBilly Strayhorn is a genius and this book does him justice. A well-researched; well-written book; the author of Lush Life does not make the mistake of including too many boring; mundane details as some biographers do; apparently to indicate how much research theyve done. However; Hajdus thorough research shines through in the tiny details that color the descriptions of Strayhorns family life as well as the New York scene. Hajdu takes an unflinching look at how Strayhorns decision to be an openly gay man in a world and a time that was unaccepting; and how that decision affected his career. Strayhorn might not have written any less; but perhaps would have played more and would have been known in his own right if he had decided to hide his lifestyle. This is a touching; informative portrait of a musical genius whose star will one day achieve its properly high place in the firmament of jazz. Musicians of his time always knew his accomplishments. Certainly Hajdus book will help the public to appreciate Strayhorn. I cant wait for the movie.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Swee PeaBy Norm HallA nicely written biography. I learned things about Strayhorn that I didnt know before. Made me want to know him personally.