Overview

Images of Beckett combines John Haynes' unique repertoire of photographs of Beckett's dramatic opus alongside three newly written essays by Beckett's biographer and friend, James Knowlson. Haynes captures images of Beckett's work in progress and performance and includes hitherto unknown portraits of Beckett himself. Haynes was privileged to be present at the Royal Court Theatre, London, when Beckett directed his own plays. Amongst the 75 plates are compositions that include the leading interpreters of the plays. Knowlson's first essay combines a verbal portrait of Beckett with a personal memoir of the writer; the second considers the influence of paintings that Beckett loved or admired on his theatrical imagery; and the third offers a detailed, often first-hand, account of Beckett's work as a director of his own plays. The essays are the result of personal conversations with Beckett and attendance at rehearsals, and provide a privileged glimpse into the world of one of the theatre's most influential and enduring playwrights.

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9780511486180

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Reviews

'… these theatre photos are among the most resonant of the past century … Haynes doesn't so much snap a production as x-ray its heart … Biographer Knowlson examines Beckett's character … visual influences and directorial working method in three beautiful essays that go well beyond the merely dutiful in this tremendous picture book.' Plays International 'A stunning collection …' London Review of Books

'... these theatre photos are among the most resonant of the past century ... Haynes doesn't so much snap a production as x-ray its heart ... Biographer Knowlson examines Beckett's character ... visual influences and directorial working method in three beautiful essays that go well beyond the merely dutiful in this tremendous picture book.' Plays International 'A stunning collection ...' London Review of Books

'... these theatre photos are among the most resonant of the past century ... Haynes doesn't so much snap a production as x-ray its heart ... Biographer Knowlson examines Beckett's character ... visual influences and directorial working method in three beautiful essays that go well beyond the merely dutiful in this tremendous picture book.' Plays International 'A stunning collection ...' London Review of Books This is a worthy volume, fascinating, not heavy-handed, and the pictures from Beckett's various plays, not to say his astonishing face, are a trip. L.W. Milam, The Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy and the Humanities For those interested in Beckett's complex dialogue with art, Images of Beckett is richly rewarding. American Theatre It offers a fresh look at a writer about whom much has already been written. Irish America ...a major contribution to the way we see modernism... the photos show us not only what Beckett's plays looked like in their original production, but also what Beckett had wanted them to look like. They are the closest we can get to seeing the plays realized in the way he had envisaged them today. James Joyce Literary Supplement

Author Information

John Haynes' previous book Taking the Stage with an introduction by Lindsay Anderson has become a classic of theatre photography. He was privileged to work alongside Samuel Beckett when he was directing his plays at the Royal Court Theatre in the seventies and John was photographer in residence. Haynes continues to work with the leading directors and actors of British contemporary theatre. James Knowlson is the author of the major Beckett biography, Damned to Fame. The Life of Samuel Beckett (Bloomsbury, 1996). He is also the author of ten other books on or editions of Beckett. He was a personal friend of Samuel Beckett for twenty years.

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