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William Hutt: Soldier Actor
Guernica Editions, Fall 2017
552 pages
Trade Paperback
ISBN13: 9781771832991
ISBN10: 1771832991
English
$25.95 Canada, $25.95 US
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William Hutt showed that it was possible to be a great classical actor without sacrificing his Canadian accent or cultural identity. His imperishable portraits of Tartuffe, King Lear, Lear's Fool, Feste, Khlestakov, Duke Vincentio, Titus Andronicus, Timon, Argan, Lady Bracknell, James Tyrone, Sr., and Prospero ensured that he will be remembered as long as there is cultural memory. Offstage, he could be charming and witty or moody and oppressively grand. He remained the Duke of “Dark Corners” to many who wished to know him more intimately. In this detailed, probing, and thought-provoking biography, Keith Garebian weaves together Hutt's private and public lives, his most intense conflicts, deepest yearnings and anxieties in order to show how Hutt brought his life to his work and work to his life in a manner that left him vulnerable to wounds of the heart yet open to radical re-invention as an actor.
The funeral service was probably the most elaborate ever for a Canadian actor. Cars lined the road, with an overflow directed to neighbouring streets, as television cameras awaited a Who's Who of Canadian theatre making their way into the church filled with the sound of horns and timpani. Impressive floral bouquets were stuffed into large vases shaped like martini glasses in honour of the actor's favourite cocktail. His ashes rested in a large wooden urn, a scale model of the central pillar of the Festival stage.
Few would dispute that Christopher Plummer is Canada’s most famous classical actor. But when it comes to our most versatile classical actor, few, including Plummer himself, would argue that the honour goes to William Hutt. Of course, younger critics simply have to take the word of us older ones, who were fortunate to see Hutt onstage. He died in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled performances, predominantly at the Stratford Festival. Unfortunately, unlike Plummer, Hutt seldom had the opportunity to commit his work to film–although when he did, as in the 1996 version of A Long Day’s Journey into Night, it proved what a magnificent actor he was. Now, with the recent publication of Keith Garebian’s William Hutt: Soldier Actor, he has the major biography that he deserves. Keith, who published two previous books on Hutt when the actor was still alive, has been labouring on this one for years and the result is a rich, highly readable tome, lavishly illustrated with photos (as all books about the theatre should be), that covers the full scope of the man and his achievements.
Martin Morrow, President of the Canadian Theatre Critics Association
A radiant national genius.
Robin Phillips
William Hutt was one of the greatest actors of our time: a true theatre legend. He was also a deeply private person, an enigma even to those of us who knew him and worked with him. In this absorbing new biography, Keith Garebian not only offers us his personal perspective on Bill’s so potent art but also delves deep into the complexities and conflicts within the master magician himself.
Antoni Cimolino, Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival
The greatest actor in our country, and one of the truly great actors of our time.
Timothy Findley
Probably Canada’s all-time most versatile classical actor.
Christopher Plummer
You cannot contemplate the establishment and the flourishing of Canadian theatre without the name of William Hutt.
Martha Henry
He was our Northern Star.
Antoni Cimolino
Reviews
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Various Canadiana
Canadian Literature - October 8, 2018
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REVIEW OF GAREBIAN’S BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM HUTT
James Karas - March 18, 2018
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Five-Star Rating
Jeffrey Round - July 24, 2018
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Various Canadiana
Canadian Literature - January 31, 2019
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Hutt Review
Bateman Reviews - March 26, 2019
Books by Keith Garebian
