‘John Lahr’s profiles are the nearest thing we get to theatre history.
What he has is the keys to the dressing room door…’
– Sheridan Morley, The Spectator
‘These are wonderful profiles.’
– Edna O’Brien
‘One of the greatest biographers writing today.’
– The Observer
‘John Lahr managers to write about the theatre better than anybody in the English language’
– Richard Eyre
In Razzle Dazzle ‘Em, John Lahr, the lead theatre critic for The New Yorker for 21 years and a multi-award-winning biographer, captures the essence of some of Hollywood’s most influential actors and directors. This compelling collection of pen portraits offers a rare glimpse into the minds of those we see on screen. In this volume, Lahr’s profiles of Helen Mirren, Ethan Hawke, Viola Davis, Sean Penn, Julianne Moore, Todd Haynes, Cate Blanchett, Sam Mendes, Claire Danes, Judi Dench, Mike Nichols, Emma Thompson, and Al Pacino, spanning from 2000 to 2022, are brought together for the first time.
Showcasing the voices of these industry titans, Lahr masterfully explores the triumphs, challenges, and artistic processes that define the careers of these ‘show-biz legends’.