Putting It On: The West End Theatre of Michael Codron

by Alan Strachan, Alan Strachan

Michael Codron is undoubtedly the leading producer of postwar British theatre. Still active after an astonishing half-century in the industry Codron produced Broadway classics such as "Noises Off" and "Copenhagen." Describing himself as "a man of vulgar taste with an impeccable streak," he has had many hits with lighter entertainment as well as serious plays.Codron's r?sum? reads like a concise history of the post-war stage, and the book examines the sea changes in the commercial sector and the rise of the subsidized theatre, revealing, too, what it was like working with the greatest actors of our time, including Alec Guinness, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Julie Walters. The fascinating insight into the victorious ups and hair-raising downs of the theatre, "Putting it On" is a testament to an extraordinary career, dramatic in every sense of the word, and unlikely to be paralleled in our time.

402 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Alan Strachan is a noted theatre director (Noel Coward, Simon Gray as well as work at the National). He is also a writer on acting and contributes most of the theatrical obits to The Independent.