| Description | Two autographed letters from Sir John Gielgud to Professor Yoshio Arai. In the first letter, dated 4 November 1969, Gielgud discusses his role as Leontes in Peter Brook's 1950 production of 'The Winter's Tale' at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. In the second letter, dated 27 March 1991, he discusses his recording of Macbeth's 'Tomorrow' speech (26 March 1991), which was used for a Kyogen dance event devised by Professor Arai and performed at the Fifth World Shakespeare Congress, Tokyo, 1991. The letter is accompanied by a cassette recording of the speech. Also includes copy of a photograph of Gielgud with Peter Greenaway, 1991. |
| Administrative History | Born South Kensington, London 14 April 1904. Educated at Westminster; trained at Lady Benson's Acting School and RADA, London. Worked under the tutelage of Lilian Bayliss with friend and fellow performer Laurence Olivier and other contemporaries of the National Theatre at the 'Old Vic', London. First appearance on stage at Old Vic, 1921. Screen debut in 1924. [For list of stage, film and TV roles see 'Who Was Who']. President of Shakespeare Reading Society, 1958-; RADA, 1977-1989 (Hon. Fellow, 1989); Fellow, BAFTA, 1992; Special Award for Services to the Theatre, Laurence Olivier Awards, 1985; Hon. Degree Brandeis University Companion, Legion of Honour, 1960; CH 1977; Kt. 1953; Hon. LLD St Andrews, 1950; Hpn. DLitt Oxon, 1953; Hon. DLitt London, 1977. Publications: 'Early Stages', 1938; 'Stage Directions', 1963; 'Distinguished Company', 1972; 'An Actor and His Time' (autobiog.), 1979; 'Backward Glances', 1989; 'Shakepeare - Hit or Miss', 1991. Died Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 21 May
2000.
[Compiled from 'Who's Who 1993'] |