8vo. xvii, 391pp, [4], xiv. Original publisher's black cloth, lettered in gilt, with original publisher's black and white pictorial dustwrapper. Boards soiled, wrapper price-clipped, creased and marked with several tears though no major loss. Top- and fore-edges a little foxed, internally bright save a large crease on p.153. Inscribed from the author to FFEP: 'My dear Larry. with deepest admiration & love'.

Margaret Webster (1905-1972) was an American-British theatre director, producer, and actress, described as 'the best director of the plays of Shakespeare that we have.' [Obituary; New York Times: Nov 14, 1972, Page 33]. Beginning with her great-grandfather Benjamin Nottingham Webster (1797-1882), also known as 'Benjamin of Bath', Webster tells the story of the five generations of actors, managers and directors she immediately descends from, spanning both the English and American stages, as well as early forays into film. As part of this theatrical dynasty, Webster performed opposite Ellen Terry before graduating collage - spending her early career at the Old Vic where she would meet Laurence Olivier. Webster was once quoted as saying Olivier met his first wife, Jill, at Webster's 21st birthday party.

From the library of Laurence Olivier, to whom many books were gifted over the length of his illustrious, industrious, and enduring career as one of the most important figures of stage and screen in the 20th century.