Gielgud : A Theatrical Life

by Jonathan Croall

Based on interviews with over 100 friends and colleagues who worked with Gielgud, this biography covers Gielgud's childhood amongst his famous Terry relations, his early struggles as a young actor, his triumphs in Shakespeare at the Old Vic and his late flowering as an Oscar-winning film star.

Genres: Biography

592 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the reading front, before leaving I was reading Jonathan Croall's Gielgud: A Theatrical Life, 1904-2000 (New York: Continuum, 2000). Croall's story of Sir John Gielgud's life was strangely exciting and enjoyable and upon returning from Florida I was eager to pick it up again and continue following him and Gielgud around London. Croall, who has a theatre background, embroiders a rich theatrical tapestry explaining all the ins and outs of theatrical London.

[Basia Korzeniowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this fascinating biography for my 50th birthday - 17 years ago. It was so big and heavy that I could not face reading it. But lockdown gave me a little push, and I finished it yesterday. all 530 pages of it. I could only read a little bit of it at a time, as there was soooo much information. but it was lovely to read about his fears and his confidence, his indecision and his modesty and of course about his talent and success.
I was very interested to read that he sort of kept in touch with his Polish roots, especially during the war when he put on performances to help the Polish relief fund.
Jonathan Croall has done a magnificent job in recording all the facts yet making them come to life. i could have done with a lot more photos of his contemporaries too, it would have put him into better context.

[Mark Ludmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive, constantly fascinating biography of the great stage actor and sometime director, fleshed out with comments from fellow actors and directors as well as reviews. It places his career within the development of theatre in England in the 20th century, providing interesting details about wider theatre history. Published in 2002, it occasionally features some dated language but it is an authoritative and insightful portrait.

[Kathleen]

This is the most detailed bio of any person, except historical characters, i.e. Catherine The Great, that I have ever seen. Five hundred and thirty three pages of closely printed pages. It covers every detail of his life and life in the theater, movies, television, etc. If you are a Gielgud fan, I highly recommend. I am a fan, but not to the detailed extent provided by the author. He has written twelve books and I plan to try another. This book must have taken, at the very least, five years to write.

I did not have the interest to finish the book. If you are a truly devoted fan, do read it.