Glen Byam Shaw was a pivotal but overlooked figure in the development of Shakespearean performance in 20th century Britain. This book serves as the first full analysis of Shaw's work as Director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre across the 1950s as he laid the groundwork for what became the Royal Shakespeare Company. Drawing on interviews with Shaw's contemporaries and material from Shaw's own notebooks, it offers an in-depth analysis of Shaw's time in Stratford through the lens of his productions. Where Shaw's contemporaries have been extensively studied (Michael Redgrave, Peggy Ashcroft, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Peter Hall, Peter Brook et al), the innately self-deprecating Shaw has managed to avoid close examination. Thus a key figure, and era, in Shakespeare performance history has been left in the shadows. This book sheds light on that transformative time for the theatre in Stratford and Shaw's role in transforming it. In doing so it presents a revisionist history of the Royal Shakespeare Company, locating in Shaw's work as director of the theatre the origins of many of its principles, practices and approaches later claimed by Peter Hall as his own 'foundational' innovations for the RSC.
Shaw's unique production practices and approaches, captured in the notebooks he kept on every play he directed, allow us to read his thoughts in his own words. Drawing on these notebooks, which have never been transcribed or published, this book gives us an unparalleled insight into the actual practices of a director as he's working, in a way never before explored or examined.
| ISBN: | 9781350527683 |
| Publication date: | 10th December 2026 |
| Author: | |
| Publisher: | The Arden Shakespeare an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 240 pages |
| Series: | Shakespeare in the Theatre |
| Genres: |
Theatre direction and production Biography: arts and entertainment |
Glen Byam Shaw was a pivotal but overlooked figure in the development of Shakespearean performance in 20th century Britain. This book serves as the first full analysis of Shaw's work as Director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre across the 1950s as he laid the groundwork for what became the Royal Shakespeare Company.
features in the following genres: Theatre direction and production, Biography: arts and entertainment
Paperback, Book, Hardback, Board book, Ebook, . £72.00, down from the £80.00 cover price. Not Available.
was written by and published by The Arden Shakespeare an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
has 240 pages
Yes it is part of Shakespeare in the Theatre series
£72.00, reduced from £80.00. Not Available.