One Night Stands

by Michael Billington

Book Overview

One Night Stands is Michael Billington's own selection of theatre reviews from his twenty years of writing for the Guardian from 1971 to 1991. Arranged chronologically, with a 5,000 word introduction on the role of the critic, these reviews and occasional "think pieces" add up to an authoritative yet highly personal history of British theatre over two vital decades at the end of the 20th century.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1854596608
• ISBN13: 9781854596604
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.0" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Intelligent reading.

Theatre critics are rarely a perceptive lot, so having a book full of honest, kind and intelligent reviews from this British writer is worthy of celebration. It is a varied bag that Billington explores, from Liberace concerts and comedians, to trying his hand at directing himself. Particular highlights are his reviews of Sondheim's first London production of COMPANY (A rave), Lloyd Webber's flop JEEVES and the modest musical GODSPELL (both pans). He is immensely readable, never pretentious and even allows his own critics voice their complaints at the end of some essays. Which makes for some argumentative discussion! Damien Slattery