{"product_id":"speak-well-of-me-9781350254305","title":"Speak Well of Me","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSir Ronald Harwood (1934-2020) was one of the most prolific playwrights and screenwriters of his generation. His acclaimed play, \u003ci\u003eThe Dresser\u003c\/i\u003e, has been constantly revived since its premiere in 1980 and has been adapted for both cinema and television, most recently the 2015 BBC production starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Ian McKellen. Harwood's other notable film adaptations included Roman Polanski's haunting depiction of life in the Warsaw Ghetto, \u003ci\u003eThe Pianist \u003c\/i\u003e(2002), Baz Luhrmann's frontier epic, \u003ci\u003eAustralia \u003c\/i\u003e(2008), and Dustin Hoffman's poignant celebration of old age, \u003ci\u003eQuartet \u003c\/i\u003e(2012). His many awards included an Oscar for \u003ci\u003eThe Pianist \u003c\/i\u003eand a BAFTA for \u003ci\u003eThe Diving Bell and the Butterfly \u003c\/i\u003e(2007).  \u003ci\u003eSpeak Well of Me \u003c\/i\u003eturns the focus onto Harwood himself. Based on extensive interviews with the playwright during his final years, the biography recounts Harwood's gradual transformation from lacklustre South African schoolboy to doyen of theatreland \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRonald Harwood is a highly intelligent dramatist who handles important themes with a powerful theatrical skill. Furthermore he possesses an ability to tell stories, by which I mean his sense of narrative binds his skills to produce a compelling stage battle. I envy his abilities. * Arnold Wesker *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction Prologue  \u003ci\u003eAct One: \u003c\/i\u003eWALKING THE BOARDS 1.) A Man from the Colonies 2.) Uncle Lionel 3.) 'Clean My Boots!'  \u003ci\u003eAct Two: \u003c\/i\u003eA STAR IS BORN 4.) Early Magic 5.) 'Mine for the Asking'  \u003ci\u003eAct Three: \u003c\/i\u003eBEYOND OLYMPIA 6.) Show Business 7.) Man of Letters  INTERVAL 8.) The Good Companion  \u003ci\u003eAct Four: \u003c\/i\u003eSARTOR RESARTUS: The Tailor Retailored 9.) The Dresser 10.) With the Greats  \u003ci\u003eAct Five: \u003c\/i\u003eAUTUMN TRIUMPH 11.) The Pianist 12.) Arise, Sir Ronald  CURTAIN CALL 13.) At Home  Acknowledgements Major Works By Ronald Harwood Endnotes Index","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48738610938199,"sku":"9781350254305","price":20.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781350254305.jpg?v=1720049647","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/speak-well-of-me-9781350254305","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}