The publication of The Planning of a New Town in 1961 aroused remarkable interest. Its pages described a private new town; sponsored by the London County Council (LCC); to be built at Hook in Hampshire; a scheme that innovatively combined Garden City/New Town traditions with sensitivity to modern design. At its heart lay a multilevel and megastructural town centre intended to serve as a genuine focus for the gathering community; featuring shops and amenities placed on a pedestrian deck with cars and servicing beneath. The report itself proved extremely popular even though the New Town had fallen foul of political opposition at local and national levels and had been abandoned before any construction took place. It offers an insight into the flux of ideas that surrounded New Town development in the early 1960s. Analysing the world as it might have been not only identifies choices that were once available for shaping the built environment; it also often reveals once-cherished hopes and aspirations about how people might live in cities.
#4129051 in eBooks 2015-03-03 2015-03-03File Name: B00U86VA3M
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A standing ovation (and earned; not the obligatory ones we always see)By ArtThis is a wonderful and entertaining journey with some of the most prolific and important figures in American Theatres history. I am not sure how; but Mr. OBrien managed to merge history; practical lessons; and an entertaining read into one wonderful book. I really felt I was in the seat next to Jack through his journey with these legends of the stage. To be able to "meet" these masters in the rehearsal rooms and "watch" their work unfold was amazing. To go on their personal journeys with them was something very special. There are invaluable lessons for directors in this book. I hope todays theatre artists learn to learn from masters of the past... Theatre is as much a learned art form as a creative one; which is something Jack is paying homage to by writing this great book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A unique perpectiveBy Colin McPhillamyThere arent many who could tell the (until now) little known story of the APA Phoenix Repertory Company; and none from this point of view. Jack O Brien apprenticed to Ellis Rabb; learnt from him; took his inspiration to California at The Old Globe in San Diego and then to Broadway. Easy to read as backstage stories tumble with theatrical politics; as finally O Briens own development as a theatre artist means that he must break with his mentor. Not only is this book a fascinating read to anyone interested in the development of 20th century American theatre; it also fills a void in the archive. The great Eva Le Gallienne headed a company that fielded a repertoire in New York in the 1920s; but she was working below 14th Street. The APA is the only company to have sustained a repertoire on Broadway. That was in the 1960s. Among other things this book sheds welcome light on this little known corner of Broadway lore.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A truely wonderful book about coming of age in the American theatreBy Charles DillinghamJack OBrien is one of the best of the A-list Broadway directors; and one of the very few to have triumphed in both musicals and plays. He has written on of the best theatre autobiographies ever--and Ive read them all--going back to the legendary "ACT I". It is four stories in one: Jacks becoming a director; the history of the APA; one of Americans great classical repertory companies; an incisive portrait of its leader Ellis Rabb and of Jacks coming of age as a gay man in the late 60s. I read it almost straight through. Look up the NY Times review for a more complete analysis. Or; better yet; just buy the book and read it.;
