Theatre-related books

I wondered that too - it could have been his office if he didn't actually live there. Would have definitely given him inspiration!

Thanks to the recommendations on here I’ve just finished reading Places Please by Daniel Robert Sullivan. It did take me a little while to get into it but a really enjoyable book by the end. Particularly liked the stories in the apendix by Jersey Boys fans.

I've only just begun and as I manage about ten minutes' reading time in bed before falling asleep, it'll be slow going!

I haven't moved beyond him being 13 yrs or something, but I'm liking it so far. I tend to pick up on little things, like a casual mention that the South Pacific cast recording was on top of the charts for a year and thinking how musicals used to be such a mainstream thing and are so niche today.

Will report back whenever I manage to finish it.

I have a copy but not started yet as finishing another book first. I'm a quick reader & will probably read it next week.

I just finished reading "At Freddie's" by Penelope Fitzgerald - kindle version is currently £1.49

It was written in the early 80s, set in the early 60s, based around a stage school in Covent Garden. Penelope Fitzgerald taught English at Italia Conti at one point so presumably that formed some of the basis of it. Anyway, some interesting stuff about the Old Vic (the owner of the school worked with Lillian Baylis in the 20s), the National (which is being built during the period of the novel), employment practices for child actors in the 60s, and a lot about the backstage goings on during a production of King John at the "Nonesuch Theatre" which judging by the location is the Duchess or the Lyceum.

Introduction to the current edition is by Simon Callow who was trying to get a film of the novel off the ground at one point.

I believe it was the South Pacific film soundtrack that was on the charts for that extended period of time, soundtracks have a bigger reach than cast recordings, usually.

On popularity of musicals, however, The Greatest Showman album has topped the album charts in many countries, including the UK, where it spent ten weeks at number one. Musicals can still be mainstream if they actually get made.

A new book about the National Theatre, Dramatic Exchanges by Daniel Rosenthal is due to be published on 1st November by Profile Books, priced £25. Subtitled The Lives and Letters of the National Theatre it is “A rich collection of correspondence like no other, this book offers a fascinating and celebratory look at the world of theatre and beyond. This book brings together for the first time eight hundred of the most inspiring, dramatic and amusing letters from the life of Britain’s most beloved theatre, from fantastical good luck missives to long conspiratorial letters. Together they reveal the stories behind some of the most lavish, triumphant, daring and disastrous productions in the theatre’s history.”

Has anyone read the Dear Evan Hansen book already? It's on Amazon and I might buy it.

I have owned Thomas Middleton's Complete Works in a single volume since last Xmas (present) and am seriously wondering how I am ever going to read it. I like reading in bed or in the bath but this weighs in at over seven pounds. You would need the wrists of the world heavyweight boxing champion to be able to hold that for any length of time. Myself, I have small wrists.

Daniel Rosenthal's next thriller read coming out beginning November, the letters generated by the NT, to directors and so on.

Hmm, only a page turner if you had trouble getting to sleep. I mean i have it but its a v dry read. The new one sounds intriguing but will wait for an Amazon deal first. After having a browse obvs!

Is anyone else missing the Bookwarehouse shop that used to be opposite The Old Vic. It used to have some great bargains, particularly theatre-related but also some excellent music books, biographies and novels. There were others in the chain - Notting Hill, Holborn, Camden etc. - but the Waterloo one was always best and they've all gone now.