The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi - Laughter Madness and the Story of Britain's Greatest Comedian

Andrew McConnel Stott

Beschreibung

This biography offers a “vivid portrayal” of the eighteenth-century English entertainer who “invented the figure of the classic clown that we know today” (The Guardian).   The son of a deranged Italian immigrant, Joseph Grimaldi (1778–1837) was the most celebrated of English clowns. The first to use white-face makeup and wear outrageous colored clothes, he completely transformed the role of the Clown in the pantomime with a look as iconic as Chaplin’s Tramp. One of the first celebrity comedians, his friends included Lord Byron and the actor Edmund Kean—and his memoirs were edited by a young Charles Dickens. But underneath the stage paint, Grimaldi struggled with depression, and his life was blighted with tragedy. His first wife died in childbirth, and his son would go on to drink himself to death. The outward joy and tomfoolery of his performances masked a dark and depressing personal life, and instituted the modern figure of the glum, brooding comedian. In this “exuberant, impassioned portrait,” biographer Andrew McConnell Stott presents a man who left an indelible mark on the English theatre and the performing arts, but whose legacy is one of human struggle, battling demons and giving it his all in the face of adversity (The Guardian).

Verfügbar seit: 31.10.2008.

Drucklänge: 465 Seiten.

Weitere Bücher, die Sie mögen werden

Get Money Do Good - A True Story...

J.D. J.D.Vermaas

Twelve Children. Four Countries. Two Capitalists. One Story.
Disruptors, entrepreneurs, and unconventional do-gooders, Drs. Jodi and Garry Vermaas are not the people you would expect to parent twelve children. From the child-trafficking slums of Manila to the barren corners of China to the baggage compartment of a long-distance train to Mumbai, each of their children has a tale to tell—if only they could find the words.
Follow Dr. Jodi Vermaas and her husband, CEO and multi-millionaire Dr. Garry Vermaas, on a ten-year journey across the globe to discover what really matters. After living the American success story, they traded in all of their belongings to embrace a life of true purpose. But their race to adopt a dozen children wasn’t won easily. Governments opposed them. Children vanished. Persecutors campaigned against them. And how could they have anticipated encounters with the Taliban, deadly snakes, and—worst of all—alarmingly misbehaving kids?
Face-to-face with fierce opposition, wild success, and unthinkable heartbreak, author Dr. Jodi Vermaas takes you on a life-altering journey that challenges everything you know about altruism. Narrated from the perspectives of herself and her husband, their first-born son with autism, and their eldest daughter from the Philippines, this action-packed memoir shows you one family’s attempt to change the world one messy story at a time.
Get Money Do Good is the inspirational true story of one family’s epic story of hope, resilience, and love. If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and strive for more, this fast-paced and heart-rending book promises to push you beyond your borders.
Experience unexpected opportunities to get money and do good in this true story of a family gone wild in the pursuit of extreme altruism, unapologetic capitalism, and relentless love.

Zum Buch

Hannibal

Patrick N. Hunt

One of the greatest commanders of the ancient world brought vividly to life: Hannibal, the brilliant general who successfully crossed the Alps with his war elephants and brought Rome to its knees.Hannibal Barca of Carthage, born 247 BC, was one of the great generals of the ancient world. His father, Hamilcar, was also a great strategist and master tactician who imposed Carthaginian rule over much of present-day Spain. After Hamilcar led the Carthaginian forces against Rome in the First Punic War, Hannibal followed in his father's footsteps, leading Carthage in the Second Punic War.From the time he was a teenager, Hannibal fought against Rome. He is famed for leading Carthage's army across north Africa, into Spain, along the Mediterranean coast, and then crossing the Alps with his army and war elephants. Hannibal won victories in northern Italy by outmaneuvering his Roman adversaries and defeated a larger Roman army at the battle of Cannae in 216 BC. Unable to force Rome to capitulate, he was eventually forced to leave Italy and return to Carthage when a savvy Roman general named Scipio invaded north Africa. Hannibal and Scipio fought an epic battle at Zama, which Hannibal lost. The terms of surrender were harsh and many Carthaginians blamed Hannibal, eventually forcing him into exile until his death.To this day Hannibal is still regarded as a military genius. Napoleon, George Patton, and Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. are only some of the generals who studied and admired him. His strategy and tactics are still taught in military academies. He is one of the figures of the ancient world whose life and exploits never fail to impress. Historian Patrick N. Hunt has led archaeological expeditions in the Alps and elsewhere to study Hannibal's achievements. Now he brings Hannibal's incredible story to life in this riveting and dramatic audiobook.

Zum Buch

A Narrative of a Revolutionary...

Joseph Plumb Martin

Joining the Continental Army as a teenager, Joseph Plumb Martin spent the next eight years fighting in the Revolutionary War as an enlisted man. His memoirs tell in detail his experiences during that time...the bitter cold, hunger, loss of life, long marches, and fear of battle. He also includes tales of fishing, hunting, and other activities...including encounters with a "saucy miss". His narrative reveals much about American life at the time and is one of the fullest and best accounts of the Revolutionary War, presented from a private's point of view. 
The book has been later republished under the names Private Yankee Doodle and Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier.

Zum Buch

The Wah-Wah Diaries - The Making...

Richard E Grant

Here are the very personal diaries of Richard E. Grant's debut behind the camera, as writer and director of his autobiographical movie of the same name. 
It is both a fascinating insight into the intrigues and agonies he encounters along the way, and also a deeply moving portrait of his childhood and his love affair with Swaziland, where he was born and brought up during the last throes of the British Empire. 
 Through the mayhem - never-ending financial pressures; hostilities, and finally breakdown of communication with his producer; the nerve-racking quest to persuade the King of Swaziland to grant permission to film in his country; the assembly of a stellar cast including Gabriel Byrne, Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson, and Julie Walters - Richard E. Grant has written and reads, with characteristic humour and charm, an extraordinarily honest and revealing account of a labour of love and the realisation of a dream.

Zum Buch

Growing Up African in Australia

Maxine Beneba Clarke

Learning to kick a football in a suburban schoolyard. Finding your feet as a young black dancer. Discovering your grandfather’s poetry. Meeting Nelson Mandela at your local church. Facing racism from those who should protect you. Dreading a visit to the hairdresser. House-hopping across the suburbs. Being too black. Not being black enough. Singing to find your soul, and then losing yourself. Welcome to African Australia. Compiled by award-winning author Maxine Beneba Clarke, with curatorial assistance from writers Ahmed Yussuf and Magan Magan, this anthology brings together the regions of Africa, and the African diaspora, from the Caribbean to the Americas. Told with passion, power, and poise, these are the stories of African-diaspora Australians: diverse, engaging, hopeful and heartfelt. Contributors include Faustina Agolley, Santilla Chingaipe, Carly Findlay, Khalid Warsame, Nyadol Nyuon, Tariro Mavondo and many, many more. Editors: Maxine Beneba Clarke with Ahmed Yussef and Magan Magan. Narrators: Rebekha Robertson and Thuso Lekwape, with contributors Candy Bowers, Ahmed Yussuf, Magan Magan, Santilla Chingaipe, Tariro Mavondo, Manal Younus and Faustina Agolley. Song contribution by Muma Doesa. © Maxine Beneba Clarke and Black Inc., 2019. Individual stories © retained by the authors.

Zum Buch

CHIPPENDALES TRUE CRIME STORY -...

Jesse Banerjee, Thomas R. Kennedy

The web of lies thickens, and the night beckons! Waking up in the middle of the night, Jesse calms his heartbeat, his mind burning with one query, and his curiosity knowing no bounds!
He can still remember the carrion, the scent of blood, and the mutilated corpse of his father in the jail. Shadows whisper to him, uttering threats and he knows if he goes down this path, he would have to face death itself…maybe if he is lucky, a bullet to his arm is all he would take…or perhaps he would join his father!
Meet Jesse Banerjee, the firstborn of Steve Banerjee, the unrelenting son who is hell-bent on proving that his father’s alleged suicide wasn’t a self-killing act, born out of fear of the life sentence but rather something more sinister. No matter what the jury said, he could read between lines. And now, he realizes that someone powerful is behind his father’s untimely demise. And if Jesse doesn’t give up this path, he would soon meet a fate very grim…
Join Jesse who embarks on a journey to uncover the criminal faces behind the masks! Death is behind him, and if he is lucky, it will not catch him unaware and swiftly...that is if he is careful.
Many stories have been told about Chippendales, all of them are mostly the narratives of the perpetrators that stole the empire, and cleverly they have managed to make their story very believable and credible.
Silenced by intimidation, threats, and a corrupt Justice system, not anymore.
For the first time, Jesse is revealing the true story in Chippendales True Crime.

Zum Buch