Ian Kelly wrote an award-winning biography of the once-notorious eighteenth-century comedian, Samuel Foote. Now he's acting in his own stage version of the story alongside Simon Russell Beale in a sold-out production directed by Richard Eyre. Here he explains why his one-legged protagonist, who rose to fame and celebrity only to be toppled in a … Continue reading ‘The pain of celebrity’: Ian Kelly on Mr Foote’s Other Leg
Richard Eyre
‘Leave me my name’: Richard Eyre on the importance of Arthur Miller
Richard Eyre directed the first Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. With several major productions of Miller's work opening in this, his centenary year, it's a time to reflect on why plays such as Death of a Salesman, A View from the Bridge and The Crucible speak so urgently to us today. Here, in … Continue reading ‘Leave me my name’: Richard Eyre on the importance of Arthur Miller
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Stephen Sondheim
In the fifth and final part of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim's shows include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd,Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and Assassins, as well as … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Stephen Sondheim
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Alan Bennett
In Part Four of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews playwright and actor Alan Bennett. He has become part of the (quintessentially English) family, a familiar face, a national institution, adjectival: ‘Very Alan Bennett,’ people say. I interviewed him in the basement kitchen of my house. He wasn’t at his happiest when … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Alan Bennett
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Fiona Shaw
In Part Three of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews actor Fiona Shaw. Born in Cork, Fiona Shaw is celebrated for playing many classical roles—Medea, Electra, Hedda Gabler, even Richard II. Most good actors are highly intelligent; few are highly articulate. Fiona Shaw’s fluency never leads her into waffle, but as an … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Fiona Shaw
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Peter Brook
In Part Three of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews experimental theatre and film director Peter Brook. Peter Brook has stimulated British theatre for fifty years—first, in his twenties, in the West End, then with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and for the last twenty-five years from outside the country. He disclaims any … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Peter Brook
Richard Eyre on TALKING THEATRE: Interviews with Theatre People
To celebrate the new paperback edition of Richard Eyre's Talking Theatre - his superlative account of how theatre is made, in the words of the very people who make it - we will be posting exclusive extracts from the book here on the NHB blog. Come back on Monday to find out what John Gielgud … Continue reading Richard Eyre on TALKING THEATRE: Interviews with Theatre People
Ken Campbell: The True Spirit of a Prankster
Published today – April Fools' Day – is Ken Campbell: The Great Caper, Michael Coveney's biography of the one-man comic whirlwind who tore through the British theatre establishment using well-rehearsed anarchy and a genius for surreal comedy. Here, Coveney recalls Campbell's fondness for a good wheeze - including his notorious Royal Dickens Company hoax... If there’s … Continue reading Ken Campbell: The True Spirit of a Prankster
The Prompt Book 