{"product_id":"9780228101772","title":"Susan Benson","description":"\u003cp\u003e  \u003ci\u003eA compelling exploration of the career of one of theater's most outstanding theatrical designers.\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  This book is a detailed and lavishly illustrated look at the work and career of the renowned stage and costume designer Susan Benson, whose work has been seen on some of the world's most influential stages but is most identified with the Stratford Festival. Featured throughout the book are gorgeous full-page photographs from both the live stage and the production process. Behind the scenes commentary reveals the challenges and exhilaration of mounting a large stage production while Benson's working design sketches reveal the artistic process and the remarkable range of her talent.   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  The first part of the book focuses on Benson's early, formative work, influenced by her youth in a theatrical family. The second part concerns her theory of set, costume and prop design, and her problem-solving methodology for approaching a show. This is followed by a third section on the \"craft\" of building shows: how art, design and craft transform the theatrical work on paper to the imagined world that the audience sees -- costume fitting, prop building and collaborating with the amazing artists that bring her designs to life.   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  The book closes with an in-depth look at Benson's most significant productions: Robin Phillips' 1976 Stratford Festival production of \u003ci\u003eA Midsummer Night's Dream\u003c\/i\u003e with Jessica Tandy and Jeremy Brett, remounted in 1977 with Maggie Smith; in 1979, the Trojan War play \u003ci\u003eThe Woman\u003c\/i\u003e starring Martha Henry; and the celebrated Brian Macdonald productions of Gilbert and Sullivan's \u003ci\u003eThe Mikado\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Gondoliers\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eIolanthe\u003c\/i\u003e. In addition to Benson's work at the Stratford Festival, the book looks at designs for many other theaters across Canada and the U.S., including \u003ci\u003eRomeo and Juliet\u003c\/i\u003e for the National Ballet of Canada; and \u003ci\u003eMadama Butterfly\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Golden Ass\u003c\/i\u003e for the Canadian Opera Company.   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Susan Benson's long and illustrious career earned her great respect from her peers, much adulation and numerous awards. Today, she turns her visual artistry to painting, which has also brought her much success. \u003ci\u003eSusan Benson: Art, Design and Craft on Stage\u003c\/i\u003e is a revealing, informative and thorough examination of a life of creative brilliance. It will appeal to all readers with a love for theater, both front of house and backstage.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patricia Flood (CA)","offers":[{"title":"Firefly Books |  Hardback | Laminated cover |  2019-04-19","offer_id":46011355496703,"sku":"9780228101772","price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0329\/9075\/7001\/files\/BNCImageAPI_37d705cf-da97-4b2d-b09f-0c8d5d932ac6.jpg?v=1723055649","url":"https:\/\/riverbookshop.com\/products\/9780228101772","provider":"River Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}