Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Tomkins, Calvin, 1925-

Description

1. 2 sound discs (ca. 68 min.) digital; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

1. Disc 1 (ca. 61 min.) [Contains extraneous noise]. Calvin Tomkins discusses his intention to write a piece for The New Yorker on experimental theater artist Robert Wilson. Jerome Robbins discusses first interviewing Wilson as a set designer; the workshop Wilson conducted for Robbins' American Theatre Laboratory; attending a performance in Wilson's loft in which the audience was transported by haycart to a street corner where the performance continued; the emotional qualities present in Wilson's work; his piece, The king of Spain (1969); the ideas behind his work; his confidence and perseverence; Wilson's way of working with performers; a piece he did with animals and human performers; Wilson's ability to achieve exceptional performances from his actors; more on the qualities of his work; travelling with Wilson and Wilson's powers of observation; Robbins' role as Freud in Wilson's piece, The life and times of Sigmund Freud (1969); Wilson's ability to focus his efforts.
2. Robbins discusses his and Wilson's work with Noh theater; Wilson's visit with Robbins in Watermill, Long Island and shooting the film, Watermill (1970); his originality in creating a 24-hour work; Robbins discusses conventionality versus "madness" in art; Wilson's way of exploring the meaning of theater in his work; the experimental nature of Wilson's work; the visual beauty in his work; the extraordinary length of his pieces; more on his overall contribution to the theater and his work in comparison with other avant-garde artists; more on Wilson's perseverance in his work; his personality and outlook on life; more on his ability to ask questions via his art; Robbins' role as Freud [ends abruptly].
3. Disc 2 (ca. 7 min.) [Begins abruptly.] Robbins and Tomkins conclude with comments about a set collapse during one of Wilson's performances, Wilson's reticence in discussing his childhood, Wilson's tendency to loose things; parting comments.

Donor/Sponsor

1. Oral History Archive.

Series statement

1. Jerome Robbins Collection

Subject

1. Wilson, Robert, 1941-
2. Audiotapes > Robbins, J
3. Robbins, Jerome > Interviews

Call number

1. *MGZTL 4-3071 JRC

Note

1. Interview conducted by The New Yorker writer Calvin Tomkins on Nov. 25, 1973.
2. Handwritten on container: Tomkins Nov. 25, 1973 Interview re: Bob Wilson.

Access (note)

1. Permission required.

Funding (note)

1. Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Author

1. Robbins, Jerome, interviewee.

Title

1. Interview with Jerome Robbins. Nov. 25, 1973 [sound recording]

Imprint

1. 1973.

Series

1. Jerome Robbins Collection

Access

1. Permission required.

Funding

1. Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Local note

1. Archive original: *MGZTCO 3-3071 JRC
2. Preservation master: *MGZTP 10-3071 JRC
3. Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-3071 JRC

Local subject

1. Audiotapes -- Robbins, J.

Added author

1. Tomkins, Calvin, 1925- Interviewer

Research call number

1. *MGZTL 4-3071 JRC