EARLY DOORS: My Life and the Theatre

by Philip Burton ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 5, 1969

Although Mr. Burton considered that an autobiography would be ""too presumptuous,"" that is essentially what this is--relating as it does his rise from the poverty of the Welsh coal fields; his intermittent early flirtation with the stage; an exigent involvement with the teaching of higher mathematics; and his gradual realignment of career until he found himself heading up the English and Drama department of a small but prestigious Welsh boys school. . . where he met the irrepressible orphan, Richard Jenkins, who would become one of the world's most famous godsons as Richard Burton. Mr. Burton wrote for the B.B.C.; continued fluctuating between acting, writing and directing both in London and America; gained a reputation as a Shakespearean lecturer and scholar and is currently heading up the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. But outside of a few tantalizing glimpse of Richard, Elizabeth, and some nice anecdotes about Dylan Thomas (an intimate), this really just rambles along; unfortunately Mr. Burton's lengthy career has-just missed being inspired or inspiring. There is some interesting Shakespearean criticism tacked on at the end which may be of interest to the student.

Pub Date: May 5, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION