{"product_id":"year-of-the-mad-king-the-lear-diaries","title":"Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInside Antony Sher's Journey to King Lear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA masterful actor's personal record of preparing Shakespeare's greatest role\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\u003c!-- Access Your Content --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border: 2px solid #ddd; padding: 16px; border-radius: 6px; background: #f9f9f9; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAccess Your Content in Seconds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col style=\"margin-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete your purchase on our store.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownload \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/pages\/the-grey-hill-app\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Grey Hill App\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (free).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLog in using the same email from checkout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour ebook will appear instantly in your library.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #555;\"\u003eAll content is securely delivered through our app and not offered as a Shopify download.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Ebook\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fascinating insider account of researching, rehearsing and performing the part of King Lear for a major Royal Shakespeare Company production, Antony Sher's \u003cem\u003eYear of the Mad King\u003c\/em\u003e won the 2019 Theatre Book Prize awarded by the Society for Theatre Research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1982, rising actor Antony Sher played the Fool to Michael Gambon's King in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of\u003cem\u003e King Lear\u003c\/em\u003e. Shortly after, he came back to Stratford to play Richard III – a breakthrough performance that would transform his career, winning him the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Actor. Sher's record of the making of this historic theatrical event, \u003cem\u003eYear of the King\u003c\/em\u003e, has become a classic of theatre writing, a unique insight into the creation of a landmark Shakespearean performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than thirty years later, Antony Sher returned to \u003cem\u003eLear\u003c\/em\u003e, this time in the title role, for the 2016 RSC production directed by Gregory Doran. Sher's performance was acclaimed by the \u003cem\u003eTelegraph\u003c\/em\u003e as 'a crowning achievement in a major career', and the show transferred from Stratford to London's Barbican. Once again, he kept a diary, capturing every step of his personal and creative journey to opening night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYear of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries\u003c\/em\u003e is Sher's account of researching, rehearsing and performing what is arguably Shakespeare's most challenging role, known as the Everest of Acting. His strikingly honest, illuminating and witty commentary provides an intimate, first-hand look at the development of his Lear and of the production as a whole. Also included is a selection of his paintings and sketches, many reproduced in full colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike his \u003cem\u003eYear of the King\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eYear of the Fat Knight: The Falstaff Diaries\u003c\/em\u003e, this book, \u003cem\u003eYear of the Mad King\u003c\/em\u003e, offers a fascinating perspective on the process of one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of his generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Wonderfully written and keenly observed' \u003c\/b\u003eJames Shapiro on \u003cem\u003eYear of the Mad King\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'An inspirational joy... It lays bare the art of the actor in such an accessible, enjoyable way'\u003c\/b\u003e Daisy Bowie-Sell, Judge of the 2019 Theatre Book Prize, on \u003cem\u003eYear of the Mad King\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'One of the finest books I have ever read on the process of acting'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003eTime Out\u003c\/em\u003e on \u003cem\u003eYear of the King\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Antony Sher's insider journal is a brilliant exploded view of a great actor at work – modest and gifted, self-centred and selfless – a genius capable of transporting us backstage'\u003c\/b\u003e Craig Raine, \u003cem\u003eThe Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e (Books of the Year) on \u003cem\u003eYear of the Fat Knight\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy You'll Love This Ebook\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperience an intimate, daily account of preparing for King Lear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscover the rehearsal process from a celebrated Shakespearean actor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn how leading performers approach Shakespeare's most demanding role\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead Nick Hern Books' acclaimed companion to Year of the King\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReviews\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A fascinating insight into the creation of a key production' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Times\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'As exhilarating as all Sher's other rehearsal journals, managing to encompass many of the biting pains of age, which bring him and Lear together, without losing any of the excitement of the creative journey... the sense of privileged intimacy is unique… an affecting, inspiring and wise book' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDominic Dromgoole - Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Highly readable, full of fascinating Shakespearean insight and detail, and impressively illustrated with the author's own paintings and sketches' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShakespeare Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Incredibly compelling… a fascinating read' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrama Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A compelling piece of work, and pretty much impossible to leave to one side until you have reached the end of the story and the curtain goes up' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerald\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A moving account of an intense period in a wonderful actor's life' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTimes Higher Education\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Fascinating... Antony Sher is a fine writer who is capable of creating vivid images... it is an absolutely cracking read and comes strongly recommended' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBritish Theatre Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Draws a fascinating, detailed picture... a window into a brilliant mind' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBroadway World\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A must-read… Antony Sher's diaries [are] essential 'how to' guides for young actors… it's wonderful to be able to read his thoughts and feelings as he comes to term with scaling this Everest of roles' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSitting in the Cheap Seats\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAntony Sher (1949–2021) was a leading actor known for his stage performances, particularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He was also a highly respected author and artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn in Cape Town, South Africa, Sher came to London in 1968, and trained at the Webber Douglas Academy. Much of his career was with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was an Associate Artist. He played Richard III, Macbeth, Leontes, Prospero, Shylock, Iago and Falstaff, as well as the leading roles in \u003cem\u003eCyrano de Bergerac\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eTamburlaine the Great\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Roman \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eActor\u003c\/em\u003e, Tom Stoppard's \u003cem\u003eTravesties\u003c\/em\u003e, Peter Flannery's \u003cem\u003eSinger\u003c\/em\u003e, Athol Fugard's \u003cem\u003eHello\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eand Goodbye\u003c\/em\u003e, and Arthur Miller's \u003cem\u003eDeath of a Salesman\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the National Theatre he played the title roles in \u003cem\u003ePrimo\u003c\/em\u003e (his own adaptation of Primo Levi's \u003cem\u003eIf This is a Man\u003c\/em\u003e), Pam Gems's \u003cem\u003eStanley\u003c\/em\u003e, Brecht's \u003cem\u003eArturo Ui\u003c\/em\u003e, Shakespeare's \u003cem\u003eTitus Andronicus\u003c\/em\u003e (a co-production with the Market Theatre, Johannesburg), as well as Astrov in Chekhov's \u003cem\u003eUncle \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eVanya\u003c\/em\u003e and Jacob in Nicholas Wright's \u003cem\u003eTravelling Light\u003c\/em\u003e. In the West End, his roles included Arnold in Harvey Fierstein's \u003cem\u003eTorch Song Trilogy\u003c\/em\u003e, Muhammed in Mike Leigh's \u003cem\u003eGoose-pimples,\u003c\/em\u003e and Gellburg in Arthur Miller's \u003cem\u003eBroken Glass. \u003c\/em\u003eHe played Freud in Terry Johnson's \u003cem\u003eHysteria\u003c\/em\u003e at Bath's Theatre Royal and Hampstead Theatre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilm and television appearances included \u003cem\u003eMrs Brown\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAlive and Kicking\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe History Man\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMacbeth\u003c\/em\u003e and J.G. Ballard's \u003cem\u003eHome\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing his debut as a writer with \u003cem\u003eYear of the King\u003c\/em\u003e (1985), an account of playing Richard III, he wrote four novels – \u003cem\u003eMiddlepost\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eIndoor Boy\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCheap \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eLives\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Feast\u003c\/em\u003e – as well as other theatre journals, \u003cem\u003eWoza Shakespeare! \u003c\/em\u003e(co-written with his partner, the director Gregory Doran, who later became his husband) and \u003cem\u003ePrimo Time\u003c\/em\u003e. His autobiography \u003cem\u003eBeside Myself\u003c\/em\u003e was published in 2001. His plays include \u003cem\u003eI.D.\u003c\/em\u003e (premiered at the Almeida Theatre, 2003) and \u003cem\u003eThe Giant\u003c\/em\u003e (premiered at Hampstead Theatre, 2007).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe published a book of his paintings and drawings, \u003cem\u003eCharacters\u003c\/em\u003e (1989), and held exhibitions of his work at the National Theatre, the London Jewish Cultural Centre, the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and the Herbert Gallery in Coventry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong numerous awards, he won the Olivier Best Actor Award on two occasions (\u003cem\u003eRichard III\u003c\/em\u003e\/\u003cem\u003eTorch Song Trilogy\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eStanley\u003c\/em\u003e), the Evening Standard Best Actor Award (\u003cem\u003eRichard III\u003c\/em\u003e), and the Evening Standard Peter Sellers Film Award (for Disraeli in \u003cem\u003eMrs Brown\u003c\/em\u003e). On Broadway, he won Best Solo Performer in both the Outer Critics' Circle and Drama Desk Awards for \u003cem\u003ePrimo\u003c\/em\u003e. He held honorary Doctorates of Letters from the universities of Liverpool, Exeter, Warwick, and Cape Town. In 2000 he was knighted for his services to acting and writing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhotograph of Antony Sher © Paul Stuart Photography Ltd\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePublication Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN (EPUB):\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781788500234\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 07 March 2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 256\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ebook (EPUB)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nick Hern Books\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I access my ebook?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDownload \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/pages\/the-grey-hill-app\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Grey Hill App\u003c\/a\u003e and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I read it online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reader.thegreyhill.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ereader.thegreyhill.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI can't see my ebook — what should I do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn't appear, ensure you're logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we'll help right away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I gift this ebook?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/products\/the-grey-hill-gift-card\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuy a Gift Card\u003c\/a\u003e. The recipient can redeem it on our store, and the ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick Hern Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57117217325429,"sku":"9781788500234","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0921\/5662\/5269\/files\/9781788500234.jpg?v=1777552153","url":"https:\/\/thegreyhill.com\/products\/year-of-the-mad-king-the-lear-diaries","provider":"The Grey Hill","version":"1.0","type":"link"}