The Mystic in the Theatre: Eleonora Duse (Arcturus Books, Ab108) - Softcover

Le Gallienne, Eva

Softcover

ISBN 10: 080930631X ISBN 13: 9780809306312

Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press, 1973

Synopsis

While Eva Le Gallienne's approach to Eleonora Duse is reverent, it is also scholarly, stylishly written, and considering her personal debt to Duse, remarkably objective. She disposes of the hard-dying myth that the great Italian actress played simply on the inspiration of the moment. Miss Le Gallienne's thesis is that Duse's artistic triumphs resulted from her victories over herself, triumphs of character achieved through intellectual and spiritual struggle. In support of her title Miss Le Gallienne adduces evidence of Duse's long and earnest study of the writings of mystics and philosophers. This book is thoughtful, sensible, candid and literate. Miss Le Gallienne's own memories provide a fascinating glimpse into both herself and the tired, fading great actress whom she adored.

About this title

Review

“ A fascinating biography of one professional by another. Le Gallienne writes with old-fashioned reverence about the great Italian actress.” — Chicago Sun-Times


“ [Le Gallienne] disposes of the hard-dying myth that the great Italian actress played simply on the inspiration of the moment.... Le Gallienne’ s thesis is that Duse’ s artistic triumphs resulted from her victories over herself, triumphs of character achieved through intellectual and spiritual struggle.... [This book] has yet another quality, however, which concerns Miss Le Gallienne herself. It steadily if indirectly shines with her own idealistic concept of theater.” — Christian Science Monitor


“ [The Mystic in the Theatre is] thoughtful, sensible, candid and literate. . . [Le Gallienne’ s] own memories provide a fascinating glimpse both into herself and the tired, fading great actress whom she adored.” — Tyrone Guthrie, New York Times Book Review

Edition details

• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Publication date: 1973
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080930631X
• ISBN 13: 9780809306312
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192