Michael Billington Books

A collection of selected theatre reviews from 1992 to 2020 by a leading authority on British theatre, this book offers insights into the evolution of the stage over three decades. Each chapter begins with a commentary on the era's social, political, and cultural context, enhancing the understanding of the theatre produced during that time. Key obituaries and letters responding to reviews enrich the archival material. Following his first collection, the author provides an authoritative perspective, starting with the UK premiere of Tony Kushner's Angels in America at the National Theatre in 1992 and concluding with Inua Ellams's adaptation of Chekhov's Three Sisters nearly 30 years later. The narrative reveals the complexities of theatre criticism, including the author's regrettable initial review of Sarah Kane's Blasted, showcasing the identification of major talents. Recently retired from his role as the Guardian's drama critic, where he penned approximately 10,000 reviews over 48 years, the author was Britain's longest-serving theatre critic. His extensive experience includes witnessing numerous premieres and the significant developments and challenges faced by British theatre, particularly in today's landscape.

A biography of Dame Peggy Ashcroft, who represents the heart of British theatre. This book encompasses her most important roles and her involvement in new movements in British theatre over the past 50 years. She discovered the theatre while a schoolgirl in Croydon and dreamt of becoming part of a permanent company of actors after reading about the Moscow Art Theatre. Her work at Lillian Baylis's Old Vic is described, as are her major parts at The New, The Queen's, and The Haymarket. The author expands on her involvement with the Royal Court under George Devine, the Royal Shakespeare Company under Peter Hall and Trevor Nunn, and the National Theatre in its move to the South Bank. The author attributes her credited performances in "The Jewel in the Crown" and "A Passage to India" to her relentless perfectionism and her qualities as a woman. He describes her compassion for people, her tireless work for humanitarian causes, and her curiosity about the world. Michael Billington has drawn on conversations with Dame Peggy and her contemporaries, including Sir John Gielgud, George Rylands, Sir Anthony Quayle, and Sir Peter Hall. He also gives an account of the problems of an actor's life, aiming to provide a glimpse behind the scenes.