The Sound of Two Hands Clapping
Description:... "Drama critic and impresario, Kenneth Tynan here presents what he calls a book of enthusiasms, in which he gives a fas- cinating, sometimes controversial picture of personalities and performers who stand out in his memory for their excellence and individualism. Here are Merman, Marlene and Noël Coward, the hard-edged clarity of Lenny Bruce, the audacious vitality of Roman Polanski and the quirkish, hyp- notic clowning of Eric Morecambe. A re- hearsal schedule of Othello captures the shattering experience of a first read- through, when the sheer power of Olivier's magnificent voice makes windows shake and scalps tingle. After turning down six of of the most coveted parts going at the National Theatre, Nicol Williamson un- hesitatingly agrees to 'play the White House' for Nixon as described in Tynan's wild saga of the frenzied week before the performance - in which Tynan unselfishly 'drank for Nicol to leave him in condition to rehearse.Tynan expounds his provocative views on erotic art and pornography and he drafts a fictitious letter to The Times lodging a protest against the ever-increas- ing flood of obscenity in people's dreams. He also composes a dazzling hymn of praise to his favourite Mediterranean city, stinking Valencia'.' The range of Tynan's subjects, his un- equivocal appreciation of excellence and the sheer brilliance and humour of his perception make The Sound of Two Hands Clapping an exceptional document in the written history of the dramatic arts."-Publisher
Show description