{"product_id":"9781476626444","title":"Stage Managing Chaos: A Diary of the Old Vic Production of Fernando Arrabal's The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria","description":"In the early 1970s London’s National Theatre, led by Sir Laurence Olivier, launched an infamous avant garde production of \u003ci\u003eThe Architect and the Emperor of Assyria\u003c\/i\u003e. Concerned that his classical approach would clash with the “enfant terrible” director, Victor Garcia, Olivier enlisted stage manager Jackie Harvey to keep a diary of the often ludicrous, occasionally creative, always challenging rehearsals.    Anthony Hopkins and Jim Dale costarred in the surreal two-man piece. Led by the eccentric Garcia, the play quickly descended into a chaotic farce. Missed deadlines, technical hitches, unauthorized nudity and backstage feuds culminated in an unforgettable production, leaving the company debating: Was he a misunderstood genius or a brilliant con-artist?    Accompanied by recollections from Hopkins, Dale and others, along with photographs and documents that bring the key players to life, this unique diary provides a snapshot of a crucial period in the history of the National Theatre.","brand":"McFarland \u0026 Company, Incorporated Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47163322106096,"sku":"9781476626444","price":8.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781476626444_p0.jpg?v=1763608803","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781476626444","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}