The Playwright Versus the Theatre 'For better or worse, New York City is the theatrical capital of the USA, and what is done in the large Broadway theatres is considered the standard by which the theatre as an art form should be judged in this country. What can one do in a society in which commercial success is equated with excellence? '
Author of 19 plays, director, pro ducer, art collector, Edward Albee talks in New York to Peter Adam. Albee was hailed in the 1950s as Broadway's most promising talent. In the 60s he became internationally famous with Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Now a favourite subject for American drama studies, Albee continues to write, battling against the apathy of audiences and an often hostile and Philistine press.
This film follows him through a busy week, which includes a political demonstration, a university lecture, a visit to the doyenne of American sculptors, Louise Nevel son, and the running of the artists' foundation he set up from the profits of his plays. There are also production meetings for his latest play and rehearsals for a series, Albee directs Albee.
With extracts from The Zoo Story and Counting the Ways, KATH-ARINE HEPBURN and PAUL SCOFIELD in A Delicate Balance and MIRIAM KARLIN in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Film editor TERRY GABELL Producer PETER ADAM