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Limelight and After: The Education of an Actress
Book by Bloom, Claire
208 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 1983
32 people want to read
About the author
Claire Bloom
147 books9 followersPatricia Claire Bloom (born 15 February 1931) is an English actress. She is known for leading roles on stage and screen and has received two BAFTA Awards and a Drama Desk Award as well as nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award and a Tony Award. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to drama.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 6, 2016
I very much recommend this remarkable book to anyone who is pondering a theatrical or film career ... especially younger people at the beginning of their career journey. I would have this one included within BFA or other university acting programs, right up there with Uta Hagen's acclaimed RESPECT FOR ACTING.
My curiosity regarding Claire Bloom was piqued after viewing the Criterion restoration of Charlie Chaplin's LIMELIGHT. I recalled seeing Claire Bloom in THE HAUNTING, but her work in the Chaplin film really stood out. So, this book seemed like an ideal resource to discover more about her life.
I was very surprised to find that this was not the standard autobiography ... and definitely not one of the "tell all" variety. The information she shares relates to how the events in her life formed her approach to acting and the theatrical lifestyle. In fact, whenever she has something to say about someone that is unflattering, she refuses to mention the name ... or, in the case of extended family, refuses to go into details about the incident. While admiring her integrity, it does become frustrating at times.
That said, her insight regarding her approach to acting, and specifically what she learned from other great performers, is to be treasured. She does not provide a step-by-step approach such as The Method. Instead, she explores how her genuine interest in people allows her to absorb character traits that will be used later. She readily admits when she changes a practice because an approach no longer works. Most interesting of all, she proposes reasons for why certain experiences have such a far-reaching impact on her performances.
The book finishes with her thoughts about what makes certain other actors outstanding, directing styles that help or hinder, the impact of audience reactions, and the toll that the profession takes on daily life. I completed the reading far too quickly.
Casual readers, desiring the inside details of a performer's encounters, will be extremely disappointed. As the subtitle would suggest, "The Education of an Actress," this is a study of her journey and her understanding of the acting craft. For the person desiring such a career, I think her thoughts would be invaluable.
My curiosity regarding Claire Bloom was piqued after viewing the Criterion restoration of Charlie Chaplin's LIMELIGHT. I recalled seeing Claire Bloom in THE HAUNTING, but her work in the Chaplin film really stood out. So, this book seemed like an ideal resource to discover more about her life.
I was very surprised to find that this was not the standard autobiography ... and definitely not one of the "tell all" variety. The information she shares relates to how the events in her life formed her approach to acting and the theatrical lifestyle. In fact, whenever she has something to say about someone that is unflattering, she refuses to mention the name ... or, in the case of extended family, refuses to go into details about the incident. While admiring her integrity, it does become frustrating at times.
That said, her insight regarding her approach to acting, and specifically what she learned from other great performers, is to be treasured. She does not provide a step-by-step approach such as The Method. Instead, she explores how her genuine interest in people allows her to absorb character traits that will be used later. She readily admits when she changes a practice because an approach no longer works. Most interesting of all, she proposes reasons for why certain experiences have such a far-reaching impact on her performances.
The book finishes with her thoughts about what makes certain other actors outstanding, directing styles that help or hinder, the impact of audience reactions, and the toll that the profession takes on daily life. I completed the reading far too quickly.
Casual readers, desiring the inside details of a performer's encounters, will be extremely disappointed. As the subtitle would suggest, "The Education of an Actress," this is a study of her journey and her understanding of the acting craft. For the person desiring such a career, I think her thoughts would be invaluable.
November 15, 2014
Sometimes reading a biography is like having another life of your own. Clair Bloom's is not such a book.
Sometimes an actor's autobiography is an extension of his on-screen persona- he wants to be noticed, admired, loved. Consequently they appear to be the life of the party and if they ever make a mistake it is understandable, names are dropped, but the guard never. I'm thinking David Niven's " The Moon's a Balloon" and countless others. They're dishonest public relations affairs.
Bloom's brief foray into self-exposure isn't. The actress who was always an actress- a natural who was always noticed-has a story to tell but doesn't tell it. Her marriage to one of the greatest actors of all time, Rod Steiger, is glossed over, as are so many potentially interesting and revealing - episodes of her life. In the end, the autobiography dwindles away into a series of reflections on various subjects, like a dying swan looking for somewhere to hide. 2/5
Sometimes an actor's autobiography is an extension of his on-screen persona- he wants to be noticed, admired, loved. Consequently they appear to be the life of the party and if they ever make a mistake it is understandable, names are dropped, but the guard never. I'm thinking David Niven's " The Moon's a Balloon" and countless others. They're dishonest public relations affairs.
Bloom's brief foray into self-exposure isn't. The actress who was always an actress- a natural who was always noticed-has a story to tell but doesn't tell it. Her marriage to one of the greatest actors of all time, Rod Steiger, is glossed over, as are so many potentially interesting and revealing - episodes of her life. In the end, the autobiography dwindles away into a series of reflections on various subjects, like a dying swan looking for somewhere to hide. 2/5
September 2, 2020
A very interesting memoir about the English actress Claire Bloom. Well written, but I would have preferred more details about her life away from stage and screen. It was Charlie Chaplin who discovered Bloom and I found her life long friendship with the great man very fascinating.
November 16, 2020
Fascinating and very readable memoir by an iconic stage and screen actress. Enjoying this book very much. Can't wait to read the next installment.. "Leaving a Doll's House"..
March 18, 2011
The better of the two.
August 18, 2011
most interested in her relationship, marriage and subsequent divorce from author Philip Roth
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews