Michael Blakemore

Michael Blakemore is an Australian theatre director and author who has worked extensively in London's West End and on Broadway. His career spans over five decades, during which he has directed numerous acclaimed productions and written several memoirs about his experiences in theatre. As a director, Blakemore is particularly noted for being the only person to win Tony Awards for both Best Director of a Play and Best Director of a Musical in the same year (2000) for "Copenhagen" and "Kiss Me, Kate." His theatrical work includes significant productions at the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier and numerous successful shows in London, New York, and internationally. Blakemore's writing career includes the publication of several well-received memoirs, including "Arguments with England" (2004) and "Stage Blood" (2013), which offer insights into British theatre and his experiences at the National Theatre. His books are known for their frank examination of theatrical life and candid portrayals of major figures in the entertainment industry. His contributions to theatre have been recognized with multiple awards and honors, including several Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Olivier Awards. Blakemore continues to be an influential voice in theatre, known for both his directorial work and his written accounts of life in the performing arts.

Readers appreciate Blakemore's insider perspective on theater history and his direct, candid writing style. His memoirs receive praise for detailed accounts of working with theater legends and revealing the realities of stage production. What readers liked: - Personal anecdotes about Laurence Olivier and other theater luminaries - Clear descriptions of directing techniques and creative processes - Historical accuracy and attention to detail - Straightforward writing without self-promotion What readers disliked: - Some found "Stage Blood" too focused on administrative conflicts - Several noted the memoirs can be dense with industry-specific details - A few readers mentioned difficulty following multiple storylines Ratings: - "Arguments with England": 4.1/5 on Goodreads (127 ratings) - "Stage Blood": 3.9/5 on Goodreads (89 ratings) - Amazon reviews average 4.3/5 across his books One reader noted: "Blakemore captures the day-to-day reality of theater life without romanticizing it." Another commented: "His account of the National Theatre years feels honest but occasionally bitter."

Arguments with England (2004) A memoir covering Blakemore's early life in Australia, his move to Britain, and his theatrical career through the 1960s.

Next Season (1968) A novel about the internal workings of a regional theater company and the relationships between its members.

Stage Blood (2013) A detailed account of Blakemore's time at the National Theatre under Peter Hall's leadership, including the conflicts and artistic decisions of that period.

Getting There (1979) An autobiographical work focusing on Blakemore's experiences in Australia and his journey to becoming a theater director.

This Is Modern Art (2003) A critical examination of modern art movements and their impact on contemporary culture, based on the television series.

Simon Gray wrote theater memoirs that examine life behind the scenes in British drama from the 1960s-2000s. His works share Blakemore's insider perspective on theatrical personalities and productions.

Peter Hall documented decades of work directing theater and opera through detailed personal diaries. His accounts cover many of the same theater companies and productions that intersect with Blakemore's career.

Richard Eyre chronicles his time as director of the National Theatre and provides insights into British theater administration and artistic decisions. His writing reflects similar institutional experiences to Blakemore's work at the National.

Nicholas Hytner writes about running major British theaters and directing productions in London's West End and on Broadway. His books cover theater management and artistic direction in the same professional sphere as Blakemore.

Jonathan Miller combines medical training with theater directing experience in his writings about drama and performance. His work shares Blakemore's analytical approach to examining theatrical practice and creative processes.