Peggy Ashcroft's god-daughter was conceived on a sofa at the home of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. Her parents had fallen in love during John Gielgud's Oxford production of Romeo and Juliet. Her father George Devine was to become the first artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre, and her mother Sophie was a celebrated stage designer, working under the name of Motley. Being George Devine's Daughter tells the story of their daughter Harriet's early life. The post-war years, the 50s and 60s of her childhood and adolescence were exciting times that brought many changes, both in the theatre and in society as a whole. Her book touches on these, but above all it turns the spoltlight away from theatrical and public events to illuminate the domestic and personal lives of her family, their friends and associates. Honest, humorous and moving, Being George Devine's Daughter is much more than a collection of theatrical anecdotes. Harriet Devine reassesses her childhood memories in the light of her life today in a way which will encourage us to do the same. Lavishly illustrated with many contemporary photographs, and containing a number of George Devine's unpublished letters, this book is a unique and valuable resource for anyone researchng theatre history of this important period.
