THE DERWENT STORY

Subtitled My First 50 Years in the Theatre in England and America, Clarence Derwent's autobiography is pleasantly staid and unsensational as he recalls the often renowned people and plays that filled his stage career. Running away from home and the jewelry trade to his first repertoire company, Mr. Derwent climbed the English stage ladder, playing hundreds of parts, commenting on the question of Hamlet's madness, appearing in the House of Lords to represent his profession in the question of censorship. In America his actions extended beyond acting to backing, directing, serving as president of Equity. He considers the effect of television on theatre; ANTA's future; the influence of unionization, the future of theatre; the questions the embarking actor must ask of himself -- ""Have I got it? Can I take it?""; the matter of playwrights and of Hollywood. And through the pages pass such personages as Sir Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, Eddie Goulding, Otis Hkinner. For students and devotees an ourant.