Mask or Face - Reflections in an Actor's Mirror
Title
Mask or Face - Reflections in an Actor's Mirror
Description
Who would not give anything to travel the world with Michael Redgrave, visiting the famous theatres with him, calling on the leading actors in their dressing rooms and hearing them discuss their national and individual styles of acting? In Mask or Face, we do exactly that: and a richer theatrical experience in print we could hardly hope to have.
When we arrive home again. our companion continues to talk to us about such subiects as "The Method" and on how he approaches the great Shakespearean roles he plays; then from such serious topics he turns to chat light-heartedly to us about the links between actors and audiences.
Then swiftly we are taken to Edinburgh to listen to him deliver his lecture to the British Film Institute's Summer School. When we leave the cinema. we are much wiser in the ways of film making, understand more about film acting and directing, and have a sense of having been greatly entertained by the
stories and sidelights on the subject.
Now, no longer audience, we are in the cast of Uncle Harry or Tiger at the Gates and our Director is making a few apposite remarks. We take them to heart so that they might be adapted for use in every play in which we act or direct in the future.
His insight and ability to understand the requirements of author, director, actor, and audience excite us and at our performance that night the Gods are present.
After the play we have supper with our author and for half an hour he fascinates us with talk of Stanislavski and Brecht. At last we part, inspired, instructed, and entertained by the Master of his art Michael Redgrave, actor, director and author.
When we arrive home again. our companion continues to talk to us about such subiects as "The Method" and on how he approaches the great Shakespearean roles he plays; then from such serious topics he turns to chat light-heartedly to us about the links between actors and audiences.
Then swiftly we are taken to Edinburgh to listen to him deliver his lecture to the British Film Institute's Summer School. When we leave the cinema. we are much wiser in the ways of film making, understand more about film acting and directing, and have a sense of having been greatly entertained by the
stories and sidelights on the subject.
Now, no longer audience, we are in the cast of Uncle Harry or Tiger at the Gates and our Director is making a few apposite remarks. We take them to heart so that they might be adapted for use in every play in which we act or direct in the future.
His insight and ability to understand the requirements of author, director, actor, and audience excite us and at our performance that night the Gods are present.
After the play we have supper with our author and for half an hour he fascinates us with talk of Stanislavski and Brecht. At last we part, inspired, instructed, and entertained by the Master of his art Michael Redgrave, actor, director and author.
Subject Matter
Acting
Publication Year
1959
Publisher
Theatre Arts Books
Language
English
Files
Collection
Citation
“Mask or Face - Reflections in an Actor's Mirror,” The Bruce Lee Library Research Project, accessed May 23, 2025, https://www.bruceleelibrary.jamescbishop.com/lib/items/show/1056.