A Profile of Jonathan Miller [Paperback]

Michael Romain (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 1991

Jonathan Miller is one of the most important directors of theater and opera today. Written with Miller's full cooperation and with access to rehearsals, this is the first book to explore his work in depth. Michael Romain examines this significant career in theater through a series of interviews with Miller and his collaborators. It is rare that a director is willing or able to discuss his craft and rarer still to find colleagues who can recount their impressions of rehearsals and productions. However, in a series of conversations with actors, conductors, designers, singers, directors, and writers, a fascinating portrait of Miller emerges. The book is divided into three sections, beginning with an introduction that sets Miller's work in the context of contemporary European theater. Part Two is an interview with Miller, covering such topics as his career, working methods, points of inspiration and views of current theater and opera. Part Three is a collection of conversations with artists including Zubin Mehta, Roger Norrington, Dudley Moore, Max von Sydow, Terry Hands, John Cleese, Frank Langella, Roger Daltrey and Jack Lemmon. The volume also contains a complete chronology of Miller's work in theater, opera, television, and film, including information on forthcoming productions, as well as numerous photographs from productions. Michael Romain has written literary and drama criticism for publications in Britain and the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As one of today's leading directors of theater and opera, Miller is probably best known for his "Mafia" Rigoletto , set in Little Italy. A doctor of medicine and cocreator of the classic comedy review Beyond the Fringe , he brings a vast range of knowledge to bear on his work. The result is what Romain calls "renovatio": transformation and renewal of the classics. His book is a composite profile, resembling a Cubist portrait. Through intelligent, expert interviews with designers, actors, conductors, and others with whom Miller has worked, as well as through an extended dialog with Miller himself, the subject is seen from many viewpoints. The resulting collage is a vivid depiction of a modern-day Renaissance man. Romain provides an excellent introductory essay highlighting many of the common themes of the interviews. Highly recommended.
- Eugene Gaub, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, N.Y.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"[Romain's] book is a composite profile, resembling a cubist portrait. Through intelligent, expert interviews with designers, actors, conductors, and others with whom Miller has worked, as well as through an extended dialog with Miller himself, the subject is seen from many viewpoints. The resulting collage is a vivid depiction of a modern-day Renaissance man. Romain provides an excellent introductory essay highlighting many of the common themes of the interviews. Highly recommended." Library Journal

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Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; First Edition edition (November 29, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521409535
• ISBN-13: 978-0521409537
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,783,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Humble and sharp like a knife, September 15, 2011

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This review is from: A Profile of Jonathan Miller (Hardcover)

Jonathan Miller is in the same category of Visconti, Bergman, Fellini, Zeffirelli, Stein, Strehler, Chéreau and Peter Brook. However, unlike the others, except perhaps for Bergman and in part for Brook, he shares not only his craft tricks, but also his most intimate creative thoughts. He shows the material and the connections to create scenes, enhance details, change old habits and direct actors without forcing anything. His previous book, "Subsequent Performances" was a unique gem in the field. His range of knowledge in arts, culture and science is in itself a great lesson for artists in that they teach us how to be better, deeper, broader. This profile is equally a must, for it completes his other book. Touché, Michael Romain! Bravo for Miller, again!