This was a really great read that I hoovered up. I actually listened to it in audio, which was a really great way to appreciate Shakespeare’s language! Judi herself reads out some bits, a real treat.
It was great to have a dynamic mixture of Judi‘s personal memoirs, social theatre history, and then quite a deep, yet accessible, analysis of Shakespeare’s plays and their language and themes.
I think what was very interesting is that Judi is very much an actor’s actor: she puts a lot of emphasis on performance and creating a relationship with her audiences. In fact, she didn’t seem too keen on some of the intellectualising of Shakespeare, but then at the same time, was also a real advocate for his language.
Her memories of famous Shakespearean directors, the rehearsal room, and landmark productions are theatre history gold. Her charismatic approach is all over this book: she’s direct and honest, yet playful and witty too. She’s an original thinker.
All in all, I think this book is a well-rounded yet personality-filled look at Shakespeare in performance. The book really helped build a picture of what working as a young actor in the 50s and 60s was like and how she built her incredible career.
I think some prior knowledge of the plays does help, but they are all explained, and I think the interview is done in a way that helps embed the plays.
This book came about from a series of interviews and listening to it, you very much get that confessional, yet irreverent, tone throughout. It is a real love letter to Shakespeare in performance and it delves into some of the lesser-known plays in a really interesting way.
One word: scintillating.
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