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Astonish Me!
First Nights That Changed the World
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Astonish Me!
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
A tour through the most sensational first nights across the arts, by the long-term Globe Theatre artistic director
A tour through the most sensational first nights across the arts, by the long-term Globe Theatre artistic director
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
Astonish Me! is a SUNDAY TIMES BEST FILM AND THEATRE BOOK OF 2022.
'Anyone in love with the arts will fall in love with this beautifully written and fascinating book' - Kathy Burke
Astonish Me! is an adrenaline-charged rollercoaster through history's seismic first nights, exploring how individual artists can change and shape the story of culture - and allow us to see ourselves in new ways.
It tells of times when 'the air between people seems to alter' as art achieves profound change, across the globe and across history.
Dominic Dromgoole has created a radical and fresh canon. He begins in New York in 1963, as Lorraine Hansberry remakes American theatre and a nation's perception of race. And then, as the lights go up, we find ourselves in Renaissance Florence, watching Michelangelo's David being hauled into the Piazza della Signoria. The dust settles and we are transported to the birth of theatre in fifth-century Athens - and then to Paris to meet with Diaghilev and Stravinsky for the Rite of Spring. We witness kabuki's creation, as a radical women's performance, in Kyoto; the Sex Pistols shattering Thatcherite Britain at Manchester's Free Trade Hall; and watch as Hitchcock directs Psycho.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Astonish Me! by Dominic Dromgoole is praised for its thrilling narrative and emotional depth, akin to a romance novel. Critics commend it for its insightful exploration of art's essential role and communal impact, spotlighting transformative moments in artistic history. The book is described as both enthusiastic and unexpectedly delightful, with a rich collection of essays that vividly bring cultural events to life.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781788166812
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 05 October 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Profile Books Ltd
Edition: Main
Illustration: 23 b/w photos
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 136.0mm
Height: 200.0mm
Weight: 296g
Pages: 384
About the Author
Dominic Dromgoole is the author of Hamlet: Globe to Globe, Will and Me: How Shakespeare Took Over My Life and Full Room (on contemporary playwriting). Artistic director of the Globe Theatre for more than a decade, he now divides his time between directing - in Britain, the US and Europe, and with the Classic Spring company - and producing movies with Open Palm Films.
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