Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook [Paperback]

Antony Sher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1994

"This is the most wonderfully authentic account of the experience of creating a performance. It's full of delicate and sometimes moving observation; full of striking information...; full of the frustration and tedium and occasional tears of the unequal struggle of any of us flawed thespians with ourselves and a great role; and full of his own astonishing and unforgettable drawings. Images, images. What images!" -Simon Callow, The Sunday Times (London)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Actor Antony Sher has had an impressive career on the London stage and in a variety of highly visible character roles in film (including a lauded portrayal as Disraeli in 1997's Mrs. Brown). In this highly entertaining journal, he chronicles the months of preparation for one of the most critically acclaimed Shakespearean performances in the 20th century, his 1984 portrayal of Richard III, which he played on a pair of custom-made crutches that transformed the Bard's villainous king into a poisonous, scuttling spider. His preparations include attempts to get into the mental territory of a sociopath and discussions with doctors, patients, and physical therapists about the physical realities of playing a hunchback. Along the way we get insights into his South African heritage, discussions of the life of a working actor, and an often funny and always illuminating portrait of a year working in the Royal Shakespeare Company--all illustrated with numerous sketches and cartoons from this multitalented author. Year of the King is a grand tour of the inner workings of one of the world's greatest theaters, by an actor at the height of his creative powers. --John Longenbaugh

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions; 2nd edition (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879101652
• ISBN-13: 978-0879101657
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring and fascinating book, October 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook (Paperback)

This is the best book I have ever read on the process of acting. It should be required reading for every actor! It details the process that Antony Sher went through in developing the character of Richard III. It's a "fast" read because you are so eager to find out what he will do next. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, July 7, 1999

By 

"d_b_" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook (Paperback)

I first read Year of the King 6 years ago while studying in London. I fell in love with the works of Antony Sher on stage and was thrilled to find this book. Its been a source of inspiration and admiration since and has opened my eyes to what a different world actors live in. I am now that much closer to understanding the intricacies of performance through the words (and sketches) of Antony Sher.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating look at both actor and person, April 8, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook (Paperback)

What I enjoyed were, in addition to notes on the role, the notes on what it was like to be an actor in England after growing up in apartheid South Africa. Good to meet some of the greats of theatre: "Trevor Nunn", "Chris Hampton" etc as well..