Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire

by Eileen Blumenthal, Julie Taymor, Antonio Monda

With more than 40 pages of new material including illustrations and unpublished sketches, this book illuminates Julie Taymor’s entire career, from her theatrical apprenticeship to her most recent work for stage and screen.

There is an all-new introductory essay by Italian film critic Antonio Monda, as well as sections on Frida, Titus, Taymor’s upcoming opera Grendel, and her much-anticipated Beatles film Across the Universe. This sumptuous book offers a fascinating look inside the creative process of one of the world’s great artists.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a handsome coffeetable book filled with glorious pictures recording Julie Taymor’s artistry. In the words of a reviewer and her subject, the work of one of today’s most visionary directors is explored up until the year 1995. An in-depth biography is followed by an equally incisive look at some of Taymor’s most well-known pieces. I myself have had the pleasure of seeing “Fool’s Fire” on PBS, The Tempest re-staged for Central Park’s Shakespeare plays and the bloody and terrible tragedy of Titus Andronicus mounted on film. But here, for the first time, I was given the background information that invariably leads to an enrichment of understanding. It is an eye-opening view, indeed. Ms. Blumenthal has not always been appreciative of Ms. Taymor’s ideas and that’s perfectly acceptable. However, Ms. Taymor’s use of light, scrims, puppetry, masks and innovative costumes has won her more fans than detractors and this book clearly shows why. A powerful and worthy addition to the home of many an art lover.

[Diane]

I wish I had a little fraction of her talent. Follows taymo's career. I taugt 2 classes all about her. Her new beatles movie is out now.

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing career.

[kev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came away with second degree burns.

[gautam]

everyone will love it

[Chris]

dry and boring but a time consumer