About the Book:

Orson Welles's theatrical productions of Shakespearean plays for the W.P.A.'s Federal Theatre Project and Wells's own Mercury Theatre represent a unique blending of high art and the politicized popular culture of the 1930's. This volume Orson Welles on Shakespeare is the only publication available of the fully annotated playscripts of these adaptations, including the "Voodoo" Macbeth, the modern-dress Julius Caesar and Orson Welles's compilation of the history plays, Five Kings.

Richard France's general introduction and Simon Callow's forward provides invaluable background information that relates the three plays and their productions to contemporary social, historical, political, and economic climate from which they emerged. Additionally, each script is presented with relevant information on the productions, interview material from those on the scene, and Orson Welles's own directorial marginalia.

What people say:

"Richard France has given us access to genius in making Orson Welles' Shakespeare texts available. Bravo." — Stuart Vaughan, Former Artistic Director of the New York Shakespeare Festival

"Richard France brilliantly illuminates the work of Orson Welles, providing the reader with a wealth of riches in his inspiring collection. Anyone who loves theatre and film, and who is fascinated by this great American genius, will love this book. France has give an easy access to the Welles' versions of his famous voodoo Macbeth, as well as his fascist Julius Caesar, and finally, of Five Kings, a reworking of Shakespeare's history plays. Wonderfully insightful, presented with eloquence and style, reading this book is like sitting down to a delicious meal. Thank you, Richard France, for this extraordinary piece of theatre history-it is to be cherished." — Stacy Keach

"The reputation of Orson Welles, tarnished by his own excesses, has been glowingly restored by Richard France's brilliant editing of the W.P.A. Mercury Theatre Playscripts. France skillfully reminds us why Welles dominates the history of the 20th Century as one of our greatest stage and film directors." — Gene Feist, Founding Director of the Roundabout Theatre Company

"…a mandatory volume for fans of either Welles or Shakespeare, which should encompass just about every culturally literate person alive." — West Palm Beach Post

About the Author:

Richard France is an American playwright, author, and film and drama critic. He is a recognized authority on the stage work of American filmmaker Orson Welles and is the author of Orson Welles on Shakespeare. He was a college professor and chairman of the theater department at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Thereafter, he taught on a visiting or adjunct basis at Brown University and other universities.

Simon Callow is an English actor, musician, writer, and theatre director. He has appeared widely on stage, television and in films, and is best known for the highly successful films Four Weddings and a Funeral and Shakespeare in Love, as well as his many starring roles in the West End and at the National Theatre. He has directed drama, musicals and comedy, and has written several books on actors and acting. He lives in London, England.