During her illustrious career Jocelyn Herbert (19172003) was Britains leading stage designer. From her early work with George Devines English Stage Company, including collaborations with such writers as Samuel Beckett and John Osborne, to her time at the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier, Herbert pioneered a style of simple but atmospheric set design whose influence on the British stage continues to be felt. With such films as Lindsay Andersons O Lucky Man! she brought her innovative approach to the big screen. Published here for the first time, Herberts sketchbooks provide an intimate picture of her life and work. Ideas for sets and costumes share the pages with recipes and reminders; drafts of letters follow delicate line drawings of friends Peggy Ashcroft, David Warrilow and family. Exploring this diverse record, Stephen Farthing considers the creative and personal uses to which Herbert put her sketchbooks, while Richard Eyre, a close friend and collaborator of Herbert, discusses the woman and her vocation. Illustrated with production shots from key projects, accompanied by commentaries from actors, directors and writers involved, this book brings to life a golden age of British theatre and film through one of its preeminent figures.
