As if by Chance: Journeys, Theatres, Lives

David Lan evokes a unique theatre of life. Sometimes hilarious, always deeply felt we travel with him to Peter Brook’s Paris, to Chekhov’s Yalta, to Lithuania in search of his great grandparents, to Broadway for the Tony Awards. There’s escaping the South African army, the Royal Court in the 90s, spirit mediums in Zimbabwe. And his years running the Young Vic, drawing in great artists such as Ivo Van Hove, Jude Law, Gillian Anderson, Stephen Daldry and shows such as Yerma, The Jungle and The Inheritance.

‘Exceptional. Rich, warm and sparkling.’ Peter Brook

‘He is the Chagall of theatre, hurtling over his colourful life and the world, his shirt flying, dreaming on behalf of humanity.’ Fiona Shaw

‘Sincere, passionate, vulnerable, open, serious, loving. A great read for fans of theatre and of humanity.’
Ivo Van Hove