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Orson's Shadow (Unabridged)

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Orson's Shadow (Unabridged)

By: Austin Pendleton
Narrated by: full cast
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Sir Laurence Olivier. Orson Welles. Vivien Leigh. Joan Plowright. Kenneth Tynan. When these champions of the theatre get together to rehearse Ionesco's Rhinoceros, mere mortals best step aside. With lightning wit and scathing insight into the true nature of genius, Austin Pendleton's new play opens the private worlds of these very public people, exposing their warmth, their egos, and their glittering madness.

Starring (in alphabetical order):
Caroline Goodall as Joan Plowright
Glenne Headly as Vivien Leigh
Martin Jarvis as Laurence Olivier
Robert Machray as Orson Welles
Orlando Seale as Sean
Simon Templeman as Kenneth Tynan

©2006 Austin Pendleton (P)2003 L.A. Theatre Works Drama & Plays Entertainment & Performing Arts United States World Literature
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Editor reviews

Austin Pendleton's fascinating and entertaining play uses the 1960 London rehearsals of a production of Ionesco's Rhinoceros as the context for an exploration of celebrity vs. artistry, survival vs. self-destruction, and most of all, betrayal of others vs. betrayal of one's artistic gifts. It's a backstage story of celebrities: Orson Welles (Robert Machray), whose career has waned, is directing Laurence Olivier (Martin Jarvis) in Ionesco and longing for the money to do a film about Shakespeare's Falstaff. The superb vocal performances of the entire cast make for an enthralling listening experience. Robert Machray and Martin Jarvis are uncanny at capturing the sounds and rhythms of Welles's and Olivier's memorable voices and at bringing these giants to life.
All stars
Most relevant
So well performed that it feels like you are actually in the theatre. I loved this play too, fascinating for anyone interested in Orson Welles and his movies as well as Hollywood and the theatre of his time.

Brilliant!

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