‘Behind the Scenes: The Dramatic Lives of Philip Burton’ by Angela V. John

Landmark biography of Philip Burton, Richard Burton’s mentor, to be published 100 years after the actor’s birth and coinciding with the major motion picture ‘Mr Burton’

“A remarkable evocation of a life” – Lloyd Trott, Academy Dramaturg, RADA

Philip Burton (1904-95) was the father Richard Burton didn’t have, a talented writer, teacher and producer who saw the potential of his young protégé and helped propel him from Port Talbot to the London stage and onto Hollywood where he became one of the silver screen’s most glamorous actors. In this first comprehensive study of Philip Burton, the schoolmaster, mentor, playwright, actor and BBC producer who was born to humble beginnings in the south Wales valleys, esteemed biographer Angela V. John brings the man out from the sidelines to place him squarely in the spotlight.

The publication of ‘Behind the Scenes’ coincides with the fanfare which will surround the release of ‘Mr Burton’, the movie starring A-list actor Toby Jones in the eponymous role. ‘Behind the Scenes’ is the story of a remarkable man demonstrating the power of education to elevate, and how mentoring can fashion such unexpected promise in others.

Together, Richard and Philip produced a remarkable symbiosis. Philip intervened at pivotal moments during Richard’s career; he ensured consummate stage performances in ‘Coriolanus’, ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Camelot’. We also discover how Philip Burton broke new ground writing scripts for the fledgling television. Philip Burton moved to the United States in the 1950s where, after dabbling in the film industry and working as a theatre director – becoming known as the “backstage brains of Broadway” – he was appointed the first director of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Philip took American citizenship and travelled across the States, delivering sparkling Shakespearean lecture-recitals; he died in Florida, in 1995.

Angela says: “Researching and writing the life of this inspirational individual whose passion for the theatre had a transformative impact on many young people in Britain and America, has been both exciting and illuminating.”

About the author…
Angela V. John has written over a dozen books including ‘Elizabeth Robins: Staging a Life 1862-1952’ about the American-born actress and ‘The Actors’ Crucible: Port Talbot and the Making of Burton, Hopkins, Sheen and All the Others’. Angela grew up in Port Talbot and first met Richard Burton in 1969. Formerly a History professor at the University of Greenwich, she is currently an honorary professor at Swansea University, president of ‘Llafur’, the Welsh People’s History Society and of the Port Talbot Musical Theatre Society.

In partnership with Parthian Books and Cover to Cover