Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire (Hardcover)

~ Eileen Blumenthal (Author), Julie Taymor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Most people know the work of theater director Julie Taymor, if they know it at all, from her hit adaptation of Walt Disney's The Lion King for the Broadway stage. But this gorgeous book, a pictorial history of the artist's career, demonstrates that for the past 25 years Taymor has been creating original works of theater that combine a stunning visual sense with an extensive knowledge of the performance styles of many countries outside the West. Theater critic and scholar Eileen Blumenthal has followed the work of Taymor almost since its very beginnings, and her lengthy critical assessment of this inspired artist's work combines interviews with the director with a cogent analysis of her intellectual development and cultural sources.

From her days as a teenager studying the people and theater of Bali to her travels in Japan, Europe, and then back to New York, Taymor has reveled in the cross-fertilization of different images and ideas from a wide variety of countries. Her critically lauded piece The Transposed Heads, for example, was adapted from a Thomas Mann novella that was itself based on an ancient Indian folktale. Unlike most directors, Taymor came from the world of the designer, and it was her exquisite work creating costumes, masks, and puppets that first launched her into work in the theater. But gradually she gained the respect of actors as well, and now is regarded as a director of uncommon sensitivity, who can pull performances from a cast that match in intensity her phenomenal visual eye.

Lavishly illustrated with color and black and white photographs, this is a fitting tribute to a woman who, still in her 40s, is nothing short of a theatrical prodigy. As Taymor moves further into the world of commercial theater and film (her upcoming cinematic production of Titus, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange and adapted from her own stage production of Titus Andronicus, opens soon), more audiences than ever will be treated to her extraordinary work. --John Longenbaugh

From Library Journal

Since the first edition of this work appeared in 1995, Julie Taymor's fame as one of the world's most imaginative theatrical director/designers has expanded beyond avant-garde cognescenti to the general public with her mega-hit Broadway adaptation of Disney's The Lion King and, most recently, her first feature film, Titus, based on the bloodiest of Shakespeare's tragedies. Still in her forties, Taymor is the recipient of a MacArthur "genius" grant and the first woman to win a Tony Award for directing. Theater critic Blumenthal's excellent introductory essay tracing Taymor's early theatrical influences is followed by shorter, heavily illustrated production histories of her major productions, from Way of Snow (1974) through Titus (1999). This updated edition is published to coincide with a major retrospective exhibition of her design work traveling from Columbus, OH, to North Adams, MA; Washington, DC; and Chicago. It is easily the most accessible introduction to Taymor available, appropriate and recommended for all public and academic library theater collections.
-Robert W. Melton, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Rev Upd Su edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810935171
• ISBN-13: 978-0810935174
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 10.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,196,953 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Playing With Fire proves Julie Taymor's extreme brilliance!, April 26, 2000

By	T. Young - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been in love with theatre for a long time. Many musicals I see and enjoy, buy the CD and just listen to that. Others blow me away. Those that have that capacity I tend to investigate and become obsessed with. The Lion King was one of them. I soon became fascinated and extremely appreciative of Julie Taymor's work and pure brilliance in musical theatre, opera, and film. This book highlights every show that Julie has been involved with for her 20 years in the performing arts business. This wonderful book illustrates what true theatre is! Julie is too amazing for any human language too describe; even emotion can't portray my love and idolism for this excruciatingly wonderful woman! Anybody who loves theatre, whether it is film, opera, musical or non-musical, you will be able to love and appreciate this book for all eternity.

I love this book so much that I would dare to give it infinite stars. Now imagine this, if there were such a number, I'd give the music from these shows infinitely infinite stars!

Now, more to the book. It starts out with a quick overview of her work. Then we get into the real meat. There are pictures (both of the show and backstage!) from each and every single of her shows. Included are some original sketches of costumes, masks, and puppets. Along with the pictures are writings by both Julie Taymor and Eileen Blumenthal. This is an extravagant work of art in itself that all should have their eyes glued onto...buy it now! Also buy everything you can find that relates to Ms. Taymor. You will be fascinated! The only regret I now have is that I didn't live in Europe and Asia to see her other fascinating shows...

Hail Taymor! I will look forward to all of your work in the future!

Lastly, if anyone finds the film Fool's Fire (by Taymor), PLEASE! E-mail me at [e-mail]...I want to buy it SO badly!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare Book for a Rare Artist, October 26, 2001

By	"stagecourt" (East Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this book after looking at a friend's copy, and I can say that this was one of the finest investments in my Theatre Arts library that I have ever made. This book is filled with brilliant pictures and vivid writing that will keep many in awe and almost child-like wonder at the genious of Ms. Taymore. This isn't just a book for those that appreciate theatre - I suggest it for anyone who is interested in puppetry or film, not to mention anyone who can appreciate art in general.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Playing with fire -- Playing with imagination, January 23, 2000

By	mark (UK) - See all my reviews

A facinating insight into the mind of one of the great contempary designers. A must have for all theatrically minded people. The book takes you through the creative process to achieving such powerful and passionfilled productions such as The Lion King. Disney would have flopped without Julie Taymor.