<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: The Greatest Solo Actress Ever
Review: How accessible Ruth Draper has become! It used to be that the few recordings of her monologues were not only hard to buy, but usually stolen from the library collections and never returned. (I won't mention any names.) However, having access to information on this remarkable performer's life is as important as having access to the history of the Peloponnesian War. There wasn't anyone like her. Born into New York society in the late 1800's; her father a Doctor (and co-founder of New York University Hospital), her mother a musician; young Ruth, with her serious eyes, demonstrated early on a remarkable talent for mimicry. She imitated the family governess to the delight of her siblings, and before long moved from the nursery to the family parlor, entertaining houseguests with her unique brand of theater. She was enrolled in "Miss Spence's" school (for girls), but found the environment not suited to her personality. A German Governess was hired to tutor her at home, and under her guidance Ruth Draper the student flourished. Mrs. Warren has written a wonderful biography of Ruth Draper. Her record is notable because she was actually a friend, and ardent admirer of RD. They were acquaintances through family, and after noticing Dorothy Warren attending a great deal of performances, Ruth Draper instructed the stage manager to allow her to come and go as she wished; that she would no longer have Dorothy Warren paying to see her perform. This book should be, in addition to her recordings, fundamental reading for theater students. Mentioned in the same catagory as Shakespeare, Stanislavsky, Tennessee Williams, and The Group Theater. I'm shocked when drama students tell me they've never heard of Ruth Draper! Read this book, and Mrs. Warren's compilation of Ruth Draper's letters. (Available here together!) Then go to drapermonologues.com and order yourself writer Susan Mulcahy's fantastic compilations of the classic Ruth Draper recordings, and some that were never released. I envy the person who has yet to discover her work, and life! What a treat you're in for.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Solo Actress Ever
Review: How accessible Ruth Draper has become! It used to be that the few recordings of her monologues were not only hard to buy, but usually stolen from the library collections and never returned. (I won't mention any names.) However, having access to information on this remarkable performer's life is as important as having access to the history of the Peloponnesian War. There wasn't anyone like her. Born into New York society in the late 1800's; her father a Doctor (and co-founder of New York University Hospital), her mother a musician; young Ruth, with her serious eyes, demonstrated early on a remarkable talent for mimicry. She imitated the family governess to the delight of her siblings, and before long moved from the nursery to the family parlor, entertaining houseguests with her unique brand of theater. She was enrolled in "Miss Spence's" school (for girls), but found the environment not suited to her personality. A German Governess was hired to tutor her at home, and under her guidance Ruth Draper the student flourished. Mrs. Warren has written a wonderful biography of Ruth Draper. Her record is notable because she was actually a friend, and ardent admirer of RD. They were acquaintances through family, and after noticing Dorothy Warren attending a great deal of performances, Ruth Draper instructed the stage manager to allow her to come and go as she wished; that she would no longer have Dorothy Warren paying to see her perform. This book should be, in addition to her recordings, fundamental reading for theater students. Mentioned in the same catagory as Shakespeare, Stanislavsky, Tennessee Williams, and The Group Theater. I'm shocked when drama students tell me they've never heard of Ruth Draper! Read this book, and Mrs. Warren's compilation of Ruth Draper's letters. (Available here together!) Then go to drapermonologues.com and order yourself writer Susan Mulcahy's fantastic compilations of the classic Ruth Draper recordings, and some that were never released. I envy the person who has yet to discover her work, and life! What a treat you're in for.
<< 1 >>
| 
