Orson Welles (Abridged‪)‬

Insightful, incisive & enlightening, the first volume of Simon Callow's comprehensive biography of Orson Welles.

Now in abridged audio, Callow's vastly entertaining chronicle of Welles's first 26 years seems even finer than it did in 1995. The author's ability to skewer his subject's evasions and lies while retaining critical affection for him is perhaps explained by the fact that Callow, an actor himself, understands the need to mythologise. Welles's innovative theatrical work in the 1930s has never been better described or analysed.

Reviews

"A book of titanic achievement" (Daily Telegraph)

"Simon Callow's brilliant account of the early years is the best Welles book yet" (David Hare)

About the author

Simon Callow is an actor, director and writer. He has appeared on the stage and in many films, including the hugely popular Four Weddings and a Funeral. His books include Being an Actor, Shooting the Actor, Love is Where it Falls, the first two volumes of his four-volume life of Orson Welles, his theatrical memoir My Life in Pieces, and, most recently, the highly acclaimed Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World.