A NEW THEATRE

by Sir Tyrone Guthrie ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 28, 1964

Play director Guthrie here relates his experiences in setting up a repertory company in Minneapolis and in financing a two million dollar playhouse. The company's first four plays were Hamlet, The Three Sisters. The Miser and Death of a Salesman which emphasized the classical intent of the company and also modernity (Hamlet featured flashlights and revolvers and modern dress). Despite having this fine bill to talk about, Guthrie scants esthetics to discuss the ""practicalities"" and it must be said that his book suffers in interest thereby. The main impulse behind the ""new theatre"" is to bring the classics to the hinterlands. Thus far his company has had a better than fair success with the public and the press. Its first business is still to educate the audience toward creative entertainment by the world's finest playwrights; only a creative audience will make the company bloom with the inventive artistry so deeply desired by all concerned. And only that audience will demand from new playwrights works of dynamic beauty and authenticity. The hope is that other communities will imitate Minneapolis-- but where will they get another Tyrone Guthrie?

Pub Date: Aug. 28, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION