On Directing

by Clurman, Harold

• ISBN13: 9780684826226
• ISBN10: 0684826224
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-04-03
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Summary

"A straightforward, tasteful, and articulate account of what it is to bring a play to palpitating life upon a stage" ( The New York Times Book Review). In this classic guide to directing, we are taken logically from the choice of the play right through ever aspect of its production to performances and beyond. Harold Clurman, director of such memorable productions as A Member of the Weddingand Uncle Vanya, describes the pleasures and perils of working with such celebrated playwrights and actors as Marlon Brando, Arthur Miller, Julie Harris, and Lillian Hellman. He also presents his own directing notes for ten of his best-known productions.

Author Biography

Harold Edgar Clurman was a theatre director and drama critic. In 2003, he was named one of the most influential in the United States by the PBS. He was most notable as one of the three founders of New York City's Group Theatre.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	ix
PART I	3	(140)
1 "The Director's Theatre"	3	(12)
2 Choosing the Script	15	(8)
3 Reading the Script	23	(18)
4 Script Work with the Playwright	41	(11)
5 Settings	52	(12)
6 Casting	64	(10)
7 The Director's Work Script	74	(13)
8 Early Rehearsals	87	(10)
9 More Rehearsals	97	(12)
10 Rehearsals Continue	109	(20)
11 Dress Rehearsals, Previews, Tryouts	129	(14)
PART II	143	(36)
12 The "System"	143	(12)
13 The Audience	155	(9)
14 Questions and Answers	164	(15)
PART III	179	(90)
Director's Notes for Rocket to the Moon	179	(10)
Clifford Odets
Director's Notes for The Member of the Wedding	189	(8)
Carson McCullers
Director's Notes for The Autumn Garden	197	(9)
Lillian Hellman
Director's Notes for Tiger at the Gates	206	(9)
Jean Giraudoux
Director's Notes for The Waltz of the Toreadors	215	(6)
Jean Anouilh
Director's Notes for A Touch of the Poet	221	(8)
Eugene O'Neill
Director's Notes for Heartbreak House	229	(13)
George Bernard Shaw
Director's Notes for Incident at Vichy	242	(12)
Arthur Miller
Director's Notes for Long Day's Journey into Night	254	(6)
Eugene O'Neill
Director's Notes for Uncle Vanya	260	(9)
Anton Chekhov
PART IV	269	(32)
Pages from the Director's Work Script for The Waltz of the Toreadors	269	(12)
Jean Anouilh
Pages from the Director's Work Script for Tiger at the Gates	281	(9)
Jean Giraudoux
Letter to Boris Aronson apropos of Mlle. Colombe	290	(2)
Jean Anouilh
Letter to Boris Aronson Apropos of The Creation of the World and Other Business	292	(9)
Arthur Miller
INDEX	301