Entertainment Books

19027 products


  • The Beatles Complete

    Hal Leonard Corporation The Beatles Complete

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    3 in stock

    £26.99

  • 260 Drum Machine Patterns

    Hal Leonard Corporation 260 Drum Machine Patterns

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £15.19

  • Sex Pistols

    Retro Publishing Sex Pistols

    1 in stock

    a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

    1 in stock

    £11.89

  • Listen Up Punk

    SOUTHERN RECORD DISTRIBUTION Listen Up Punk

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisLISTEN UP PUNK! is a vivid exploration of the punk scene through the eyes of MAL-ONE. It captures the raw spirit, energy, and influence of punk music and culture, revealing personal stories and insights that resonate with fans and newcomers alike.

    4 in stock

    £25.31

  • A Company of Swans

    Pan Macmillan A Company of Swans

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisEva Ibbotson was born in Vienna in 1925 and fled to England with her family when the Nazis came to power. She became a writer while bringing up her four children in Newcastle. Her bestselling novels have been published and loved by readers around the world.Her novels for adults, all rich historical romances, convey her deep love of the arts, the Austrian countryside, and the importance of belonging.In 2001, her children's novel Journey to the River Sea won the Nestle Gold Award and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.Eva passed away peacefully in October 2010 at the age of eighty-five.

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • When the Carry On Stopped

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd When the Carry On Stopped

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhen the Carry On Stopped looks at how the Carry On film series made its painful transition from one film company, Anglo-Amalgamated, to another, the Rank Organisation. In examining this little-known but fascinating story, the growth of Anglo-Amalgamated is highlighted through the success of its owners, partners Stuart Levy and Nat Cohen. Levy's sudden death in 1966 encouraged Cohen to ditch the Carry Ons in favour of more prestigious feature films. Without a film distributor, the series' producer Peter Rogers, was forced to search for another, eventually finding the series a new home at Rank. However, Rank was unwilling to endorse the work of a rival and so dropped the Carry On' title. The Carry On series looked doomed. When the Carry On Stopped also sheds new light on the careers of the Carry On stars at this critical time. We learn of Barbara Windsor's involvement in the stage disaster Twang!!,of Jim Dale's stage success, Sid James' first heart attack and Charles Hawtrey losing

    5 in stock

    £26.42

  • The Legacy of Fawlty Towers

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Legacy of Fawlty Towers

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe first book to cover the Fawlty Towers stage plays, this book annotates the episodes with details to assist 21st century viewers, collates a wide range of interviews and reviews from across the decades and around the world, and discusses censorship, criticism of the show, and remakes. The Legacy of Fawlty Towers draws on interviews with the cast and crew completed in 2009, as well as reviews and articles from the last 15 years that have not been covered anywhere before. It also includes rediscovered archive material, original photographs and artwork, and new interviews. The book contains a comprehensive episode guide with information about filming, the cast, and the crew; a guide to the hotel and its inhabitants; and an abundance of related material from 1975 to 2025. It mentions the war once or twice but I think we get away with it.

    3 in stock

    £21.25

  • Guitar For Dummies

    John Wiley & Sons Inc Guitar For Dummies

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisGuitar For Dummies, 4th Edition (9781119293354) was previously published as Guitar For Dummies, 4th Edition (9781119151432). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part 1: Getting Started with Guitar 7 CHAPTER 1: Guitar Basics: The Parts of a Guitar and How It Makes Music 9 CHAPTER 2: How to Tune Your Guitar 17 CHAPTER 3: Preparing to Play: Holding the Guitar and Reading Guitar Notation 25 Part 2: Ready to Play: The Basics 37 CHAPTER 4: The Best Way to Begin: Strumming Chords 39 CHAPTER 5: Playing Melodies — without Reading Music! 59 CHAPTER 6: Adding Some Spice with 7th Chords 69 Part 3: Beyond the Basics: Starting to Sound Cool 85 CHAPTER 7: Making Things Smooth by Playing in Position 87 CHAPTER 8: Doubling Up with Double-Stops 97 CHAPTER 9: Stretching Out: Barre Chords 105 CHAPTER 10: Special Articulation: Making the Guitar Talk 129 Part 4: A Pile of Styles 157 CHAPTER 11: Ready to Rock: Rock Guitar Basics 159 CHAPTER 12: Bluer Than Blue: Blues Guitar Basics 187 CHAPTER 13: Around the Campfire: Folk Guitar Basics 211 CHAPTER 14: Maestro, If You Please: Classical Guitar Basics 237 CHAPTER 15: Sunglasses and Berets: Jazz Guitar Basics 255 Part 5: A Guitar of Your Own 269 CHAPTER 16: Shopping for a Guitar 271 CHAPTER 17: Eyeing Guitar Amps, Effects, Cases, and Accessories 287 CHAPTER 18: Changing Your Strings 303 CHAPTER 19: Guitar Wellness: Basic Maintenance 317 Part 6: The Part of Tens 333 CHAPTER 20: Ten (Or So) Guitarists You Should Know 335 CHAPTER 21: Ten Great Songs for Beginning Guitarists 339 Part 7: Appendixes 343 APPENDIX A: How to Read Music 345 APPENDIX B: 96 Common Chords 355 APPENDIX C: How to Use the Website 359 Index 373

    7 in stock

    £17.59

  • Drums For Dummies

    John Wiley & Sons Inc Drums For Dummies

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 About This Book 1 Conventions Used in This Book 2 What You’re Not to Read 3 Foolish Assumptions 3 How This Book is Organized 3 Part 1: Setting a Solid Foundation 4 Part 2: Digging into the Drumset 4 Part 3: Dressing up Your Drumset Skills 4 Part 4: Pounding Out the Beat: Traditional Drums and Percussion 4 Part 5: Choosing, Tuning, and Caring for Your Drums 5 Part 6: The Part of Tens 5 Appendix 5 Icons Used in This Book 5 Beyond the Book 6 Where to Go from Here 6 Part 1: Setting a Solid Foundation 7 Chapter 1: Drum Basics 9 Picking a Drum Apart from Head to Shell 10 Exploring How Drums Create Sound 11 Deconstructing the Drumset 12 Appreciating the Old-timers: Traditional Drums 15 Swingin’ Sticks and Slapping the Skins 16 Chapter 2: I’ve Got Rhythm 19 Developing a Sound Vocabulary 20 Adding Some Drumming Definitions 25 Becoming One with the Pulse (and I’m Not Talking Heartbeat) 27 Feeling the Meter 28 Embracing Odd Meter 29 Chapter 3: Tapping into Drumming Techniques 31 Talkin’ Technique: What You Need to Know 31 Perfecting your posture 32 Preventing injuries 32 Hitting the drum: It’s (not) all in the wrist 36 Speaking Softly and Carrying Big Sticks 37 Holding the sticks 37 Understanding drumstick strokes 40 Painting a Variety of Textures with Brushes 43 Getting to know brush styles 44 Getting a grip on brushing techniques 44 Forging a Foundation with Rudiments 47 The single-stroke roll 47 The double-stroke roll 48 The paradiddle 49 The flam 49 The ruff 50 Getting the Most Out of Your Practice Sessions 50 Starting slowly 50 Counting out the rhythm 50 Thinking it through first 50 Toughing out practice 51 Knowing when to stop 51 Chapter 4: Getting a Handle on Hand Drumming Techniques 53 Taking Matters (and Tones) into Your Own Hands 53 Opting for Open Tones 54 Basic open tone stroke 54 Thumb stroke 55 The open slap tone 55 Bass tone 56 The rim stroke 57 Mastering Muted Tones 58 Basic muted tone 58 The closed slap stroke 58 The palm stroke 59 The heel-tip stroke 59 Venturing into Some Alternative Strokes 60 Brushing stroke 60 Drone tone 61 The snap 61 Trills 61 One-handed rolls 62 Keeping Your Options Open 63 Part 2: Digging Into the Drumset 65 Chapter 5: Settling In Behind the Drumset 67 Setting Up Your Drumset 67 Sitting on the throne 68 Positioning the pedals 69 Securing the snare drum 69 Placing the tom-toms 70 Adjusting the ride cymbal 71 Angling the crash cymbals 71 Raising the hi-hats 72 Putting Your Foot Down 73 Beating the bass drum 73 Playing the hi-hats 75 Working Out: Exercises to Improve Your Hand- and Footwork 75 Chapter 6: Rolling into Rock Drumming 81 Harnessing the Backbeat 82 Mastering the Basic Beats 83 Eighth-note feel 84 Sixteenth-note feel 84 Half-time feel 86 The rock shuffle 90 The half-time shuffle feel 92 Dressing Up the Basic Beats 94 Mixing up the hi-hat 94 Moving the backbeat 96 Adding syncopations 99 Incorporating fills 100 Chapter 7: Beating the Blues 105 Finding the Pocket and Staying in It 105 Playing Blues 106 Slow tempo 106 Medium tempo 108 Fast tempo 110 Filling in or not 111 Understanding Blues Song Structure 113 Chapter 8: Rallying Around R&B and Funk 115 Playing R&B Grooves 115 Keeping time 116 Adding ghost notes 118 Opening and closing the hi-hat 122 Getting Funky: Exploring Funk Drumming 123 Incorporating syncopation 123 Syncopating the snare drum beats 125 Including ghost notes 126 Opening and closing the hi-hat 127 Chapter 9: Swinging into Jazz 129 Getting Into the Swing of It 129 Varying the tempo 132 Tackling different textures 133 Adding to the beat 134 Expanding Your Horizons 136 Riding the cymbal 137 Adding accents 138 Incorporating the snare drum 140 Including the bass drum 142 Mixing up your accents 144 Telling Your Story: Soloing 149 Making two-bar phrases 149 Creating four-bar phrases 150 Blending Styles: Jazz-Fusion 151 Playing Fusion Rhythms 152 Knowing that more (not less) is more 153 Forgetting swing (at least for now) 153 Dealing with odd meter 154 Chapter 10: Looking at Latin and Caribbean Styles 157 Building On Traditions 158 Playing Afro-Cuban Rhythms 159 Bolero 159 Cha-cha 160 Mambo 160 Nanigo 161 Playing Brazilian Rhythms 162 Samba 162 Bossa nova 163 Playing Caribbean Rhythms 164 Reggae 164 Calypso 168 Filling It Out 170 Chapter 11: Ratcheting up Your Rock Drumming 171 Building on a Solid Foundation 172 Exploring Some Great Drummers and Their Grooves 173 Peeking into the pop drumming of Kenny Aronoff 173 Checking out punk’s Travis Barker 176 Catching up with the jazz influence of Carter Beauford 178 Discovering rock legend John Bonham 180 Looking at Dave Grohl’s alternative drumming 183 Jamming with a drummer’s drummer: Jeff Porcaro 184 Examining Spüg’s heavy rock style 187 Finding Your Own Inspiration 189 Part 3: Dressing Up Your Drumset Skills 191 Chapter 12: Getting Into the Groove 193 Getting the Feel of the Music 193 Playing Musically 194 Understanding song structure 196 Fitting your playing style to the song 196 Choosing the Perfect Rhythm 197 Getting hints from other musicians 197 Using the music as a guide 198 Adding Your Personality 200 Choosing the bass drum part 200 Selecting the snare drum part 200 Picking the cymbals 201 Electing embellishments 201 Chapter 13: Expressing Yourself with Fills and Licks 203 Enhancing Your Drumming with Licks 204 Increasing Your Impact with Fills 206 Marking the phrase 206 Supporting dynamic variation 206 Playing Some Fills — From One Beat to Four 207 Creating Your Own Fills 212 Fitting the musical situation 213 Syncopating 214 Rolling 215 Chapter 14: Flying Solo 217 Soloing Basics 218 Keeping time 218 Playing musically 218 Thinking melodically 222 Pushing the limits 223 Part 4: Pounding Out the Beat: Traditional Drums and Percussion 225 Chapter 15: Handling Hand Drums 227 Embracing the Variety in Drums 228 Beating the Bongos 228 Playing position 229 Understanding the rhythms 230 Carrying On with the Congas 231 Playing position 232 Understanding the rhythms 234 Discovering the Djembe 235 Playing position 236 Understanding the rhythms 237 Uncovering the Udu 238 Playing position 239 Understanding the rhythms 240 Deciphering the Doumbek 241 Playing position 242 Understanding the rhythms 242 Touting the Tar 243 Playing position 244 Understanding the rhythms 245 Tapping the Power of the Tambourine/Riq 246 Playing position 247 Understanding the rhythms 248 Partying with the Pandeiro 249 Playing position 249 Understanding the rhythms 251 Chapter 16: Singling Out Stick-Played Drums 253 Bopping to the Bodhran 254 Playing position 254 Understanding the rhythms 254 Detailing the Djun Djuns 256 Playing position 257 Understanding the rhythms 257 Rubbing the Cuica 258 Playing position 259 Understanding the rhythms 259 Striking the Surdo 261 Playing position 262 Understanding the rhythms 262 Rapping the Repanique 264 Playing position 265 Understanding the rhythms 265 Tapping the Tamborim 266 Playing position 267 Understanding the rhythms 267 Tinkering with the Timbales 269 Playing position 269 Understanding the rhythms 270 Chapter 17: Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Exploring Other Percussion Instruments 273 Ringing the Agogo Bells 274 Playing position 274 Understanding the rhythms 275 Twisting and Shaking the Afuche/Cabasa 276 Playing position 276 Understanding the rhythms 277 Keying in to the Clavé 278 Playing position 279 Understanding the rhythms 279 Clanging the Cowbell 281 Playing position 281 Understanding the rhythms 282 Scraping the Guiro 282 Playing position 283 Understanding the rhythms 283 Movin’ to the Maracas 284 Playing position 285 Understanding the rhythms 285 Experimenting with Shakers 286 Playing position 287 Understanding the rhythms 287 Tapping the Triangle 288 Playing position 288 Understanding the rhythms 289 Chapter 18: Jamming with World Rhythms 291 Demystifying Polyrhythms 292 It Takes a Village: Using More Rhythms for Better Sound 292 The Rhythm Nations: Playing Well with Others 293 Exploring African polyrhythms 293 Checking out Cuban polyrhythms 296 Banging out Brazilian polyrhythms 297 Part 5: Choosing, Tuning, and Caring For Your Drums 303 Chapter 19: Decision Time: Selecting a Drum of Your Own 305 Choosing a Drumset 306 The drums 306 Other hardware you have to buy separately 308 The cymbals 309 The sticks 310 Choosing a Traditional Drum 310 Natural or synthetic drumheads 311 Shell type 312 Hardware style 314 Branching Out: The Extras 314 Keeping time with the metronome 314 Carrying it all in cases 315 Knowing Where to Find Drums 316 Chapter 20: Tuning and Maintaining Your Drums 317 Checking Out Tuning Basics 318 Tuning a drum with lugs 318 Tuning a drum with a rope system 319 Tuning the untunable 320 Choosing and Replacing Heads 320 Knowing when heads need replacing 320 Choosing replacement heads 321 Replacing your heads 323 Caring for Your Drums 323 Handling hardware 323 Cleaning cymbals 324 Storing and transporting safely 325 Part 6: The Part of Tens 327 Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Expand Your Drumming Horizons 329 Checking out Classes 329 Visiting Clinics 330 Attending Workshops 330 Exploring Drum Circles and Jams 330 Perusing Books and Videos 331 Getting Online 331 Reading Magazines 332 Joining a Band 332 Forming Your Own Band 333 Playing Open Stage 333 Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Finding a Drum Instructor 335 Test Driving a Teacher 335 Knowing Where to Look 336 Understanding the Costs Involved 336 Exploring a Teacher’s Playing Style 337 Gauging a Teacher’s Willingness to Teach to Your Interests 337 Starting Where You are 338 Getting a Sense of History 338 Honoring Yourself 339 Understanding Expectations 340 Knowing When to Move On 341 Appendix: How to Use the Website 343 Index 359

    3 in stock

    £18.69

  • Jazz and Death

    Taylor & Francis Ltd Jazz and Death

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisJazz and Death: Reception, Rituals, and Representations critically examines the myriad and complex interactions between jazz and death, from the New Orleans "jazz funeral" to jazz in heaven or hell, final recordings, jazz monuments, and the music’s own presumed death. Table of ContentsIntroduction: Jazz and Death1. When I Die, You Better Second Line: The New Orleans "Jazz Funeral"2. The Devil’s Music: Jazz in Hell3. Louis and the Angels: Jazz in Heaven4. Swan Songs: Final Concerts and Last Recordings5. The Long Fall: The Death of Chet Baker6. Nine Naked Muses: Memorializing Ellington7. Funky Odors: Is Jazz Itself Dead?

    4 in stock

    £35.99

  • Performance Lighting Design

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Performance Lighting Design

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisA practical guide to the art and technique of lighting for the stage, this book explains the complex mixture of craft, collaboration and creativity behind successful lighting design. The designer paints with light - revealing form and composing a living picture from collections of objects and bodies in a given space. This handbook for professional practice walks you through how to achieve this, from first concept to development of design ideas, planning to realisation and, finally, public performance.Now fully revised, this second edition of Nick Moran's Performance Lighting Design has been brought up to date to consider advances made in the technology used for lighting design for live performance. Alongside this, Moran introduces new concepts and ways of working; includes a section on analysing the finished design; and discusses recent research into contemporary lighting practice, addressing emerging trends, particularly for drama. Combining practical information with aestheticTrade ReviewThis book has to be essential reading for any potential student of lighting design because it manages to combine the aesthetic with technique so successfully. The descriptions of the objectives of lighting design as a creative medium not only inform the student but also inform all the various aspects of theatrical collaboration that makes performance work. There’s much to be gained from reading this book for directors, set and costume designers, performers and indeed anyone who is intrigued by our mysterious artform * Peter Mumford, international lighting designer *Nick Moran’s book is a great guide to the subject of how to design light for the stage (or other performance space). It is perfect for anyone studying the art and craft of lighting both designers and technicians as it covers both how and why to make lighting decisions… it is easy to dip in and out of the book for reference as well as reading it through for an overview of current lighting practice. * Nick Peel, Lecturer in lighting design and technology, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, UK *Impressive ... the author goes carefully through all the minutiae of production and design, through to opening night and beyond, with more big green boxes for HSE and other detailed asides. The updated pictures in the later sections are very useful ... ready to equip its readers with the knowledge to face the LED and moving light era. * FOCUS Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 An Introduction to Light in Performance Chapter 2 An Introduction to the Tools of Lighting Chapter 3 Describing Performance Lighting Chapter 4 From Text to Concept Chapter 5 Evolving the Concept Chapter 6 From Concert to Lighting Plan Chapter 7 Plans, Paperwork and Patching Chapter 8 Working in the Performance Space, Part I Chapter 9 Working in the Performance Space, Part II Chapter 10 Through the Opening Night and Beyond Chapter 11 Career Progression Appendix Index

    4 in stock

    £30.39

  • The Art and Practice of Musical Theatre

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Art and Practice of Musical Theatre

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhat does a musical theatre choreographer actually do? They just ''make up the steps'', right? This book firstly debunks the misunderstandings around what musical theatre choreographers actually do, demonstrating their need to have an in-depth understanding of storytelling, music theory, performance practices and plot structure in order to create movement that enhances and enlivens the musical. Secondly, it equips the musical theatre choreographer with all the tools needed to create nuanced, informed and inspired movement for productions, through structured activities that build specific skills (such as ''notating the script'' and ''scoring the score'').Traditionally, this training has been something of a series of secrets, passed from mentor to apprentice. The author demystifies the process to make the previously undisclosed tricks of the trade accessible to all choreographers, everywhere. Covering the entire process of choreographing a musical from the first script reading to Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION a. Tradition: An Art Form Passed Down b. Within These Pages: How to Utilize the Text PART 1: THE ART 1. CHAPTER 1: Where to Start 1.1. The Musical Theatre Choreographer 1.2. The Evolution of Dance on Broadway 1.2.1. The African, Caribbean, and East Indian Influence 1.2.2. The European Influence 1.2.3. The Director/Choreographer and the Concept Musical 1.2.4. Contemporary Musical Theatre Choreographers 1.3. Choreographing in a New Era of Musical Theatre 2. CHAPTER 2: Research 2.1. The World of the Piece 2.1.1. Historical Context 2.1.2. Culture 2.1.3. Visual Landscape 2.1.4. Words, Words, Words 2.2. The Life of the Piece 2.2.1. Listening 2.2.2. Style 2.2.3. Movement Vocabulary 2.3. The People of the Piece 2.3.1. The Role of the Ensemble 2.4. The History of the Piece 2.4.1. Source Material 2.4.2. The Creators 2.4.3. Previous Productions 2.5. Revivals: Making Something Old New Again 2.5.1. Copyright and Licensing 2.6. ACTIVITY: Visual Lookbook 2.7. ACTIVITY: Movement Reel 3. CHAPTER 3: Storytelling Through Movement 3.1. The Musical Structure 3.2. Roles of Choreography in the Musical 3.3. Script Analysis: Creating a Movement Arc 3.4. Movement Events 3.5. ACTIVITY: Movement Roadmap 4. CHAPTER 4: Interpreting the Score 4.1. The Basics 4.1.1. Meter and Rhythm 4.1.2. Time Signatures 4.1.3. Staves and Clefs 4.1.4. Key Signatures 4.1.5. Expressions, Articulations, and Dynamic Markings 4.1.6. Other Important Markings 4.1.7. Musical Passages and Transitions 4.2. Music Through a Dance Lens 4.2.1. What you Hear Versus What You See 4.2.2. Musical Changes, Counting, and Cutting 4.2.3. Physical Interpretation 4.3. ACTIVITY: Discovering the Cut 4.4. ACTIVITY: Drawing the Musical Phrases 4.5. ACTIVITY: Scoring the Score 5. CHAPTER 5: Musical Staging 5.1. Earning the Song 5.2. Music as Action 5.3. Stage Moods 5.4. Partners 5.5. Movement While Singing 5.5.1. Motion 5.5.2. Crosses: When and How 5.5.3. Gestures 5.5.4. Stillness 5.5.5. Stylization 5.5.6. Physical Comedy 5.6. The Mini-Build 5.7. Sample Staging Outline: Solo 5.8. Sample Staging Outline: Duet 5.9. ACTIVITY: Notating in the Script 6. CHAPTER 6: Production Numbers 6.1. Beat Breakdown 6.2. How to Create a Build 6.2.1. Types of Builds 6.2.2. Groupings 6.2.3. Eliciting Applause 6.2.4. Buttons 6.3. Nuts and Bolts 6.3.1. Focus 6.3.2. Level and Direction 6.3.3. Repetition and Visual Variation 6.3.4. Individual Versus Unison 6.3.5. Balance: Symmetrical Versus Asymmetrical 6.4. Formations 6.4.1. Lines 6.4.2. Curves 6.4.3. Other Formations 6.4.4. Multiple Formations 6.5. Movement Patterns 6.6. Diagrams 6.7. ACTIVITY: Analyzing the Build 6.8. ACTIVITY: Building the Build 7. CHAPTER 7: Creating Steps 7.1. Process 7.1.1. The Five Parts of Dance 7.1.2. Intention 7.1.3. Style 7.1.4. Economy 7.2. Creation 7.2.1. Research 7.2.2. Abstraction 7.2.3. Physical Metaphor 7.2.4. Dance Journaling 7.2.5. Movement Prompts 7.2.6. Efforts 7.2.7. Objectives and Drives 7.3. Fundamentals 7.3.1. Initiation and Framing 7.3.2. Shapes and Transitions 7.3.3. Choreographing the Eyes 7.3.4. Rhythm, Speed, and Syncopation 7.3.5. Contrast, Isolation, and Accent 7.3.6. Pauses, Freezes, and Sounds 7.3.7. Dancers as Objects 7.3.8. Crowd Movements 7.4. Utilizing the Design 7.5. Notation 7.6. ACTIVITY: Steps Notation 8. CHAPTER 8: Adapting to Various Spaces 8.1. Types of Spaces 8.2. Site Specific Theatre 8.3. Benefits and Challenges 8.4. Tricks of the Trade 8.5. Formations 8.6. Movement Patterns 8.7. Creating Focus 8.8. Musical Staging 8.9. Storytelling 8.10. ACTIVITY: From Proscenium to the Round PART 2: THE PRACTICE 9. CHAPTER 9: Assembling Your Team 9.1. Members of the Choreographic Team 9.1.1. Dance Captain 9.1.2. Assistant Choreographer 9.1.3. Associate Choreographer 9.2. Pre-Production 9.3. Auditions 9.3.1. Audition Breakdown 9.3.2. Dance Calls 9.3.3. Audition Combination 9.3.4. In the Room 9.3.5. Making the Cut 9.4. ACTIVITY: The Dance Audition Combination 10. CHAPTER 10: Collaboration 10.1. Design and Production Meetings 10.1.1. Creative Discussions 10.1.2. Design Meetings 10.1.3. Break Out Meetings 10.1.4. Production Meetings 10.2. Collaborating with the Director and Music Director 10.2.1. The Director 10.2.2. The Music Director 10.2.3. The Dance Arranger 10.3. Collaborating with the Design Team 10.3.1. The Set Designer 10.3.2. The Costume Designer 10.3.3. The Lighting Designer 10.3.4. The Sound Designer 10.4. The Stage Manager 10.5. The Director/Choreographer 10.6. ACTIVITY: Question Lists 11. CHAPTER 11: Rehearsals 11.1. Types of Rehearsals 11.1.1. Staging Rehearsals 11.1.2. Cleaning Rehearsals 11.1.3. Run-Throughs 11.1.4. Spacing Onstage 11.1.5. Sitzprobe and Wandelprobe 11.1.6. Technical Rehearsals 11.1.7. Previews 11.2. Running Rehearsals: How to Lead 11.2.1. Working with Performers 11.2.2. Giving Notes 11.3. ACTIVITY: Rehearsal Timeline 12. CHAPTER 12: All the Other Things 12.1. Transitions 12.2. Contact and Intimacy 12.3. Improvisation 12.4. Child Performers 12.5. Special Skills 12.6. Curtain Call 12.7. Photo Call 12.8. Rehearsing Understudies and Swings 12.9. Accessibility 12.10. Activity: Tracking Transitions 13. CHAPTER 13: Nice Work If You Can Get It 13.1. Finding Work 13.2. Creating Your Own Work 13.3. Displaying Your Work 13.4. ACTIVITY: Choreography Reel APPENDIX: Suggested Reading

    2 in stock

    £24.69

  • The Wonderful World of Dissocia

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Wonderful World of Dissocia

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisAnthony Neilson''s 2004 play is half a lark, half deadly serious' TIME OUTA profane, madcap, Alice-in-Wonderland trip morphs into something much more profound in Anthony Neilson's weirdly compelling 2004 study of mental instability' EVENING STANDARD Lisa Jones is on a journey. It''s a colourful and exciting off-kilter trip in search of one lost hour that has tipped the balance of her life. The inhabitants of the wonderful world she finds herself in Dissocia are a curious blend of the funny, the friendly and the brutal. This Student Edition of Anthony Neilson's 2004 play, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival, features a commentary and notes by anna six. It introduces students to debates surrounding mental health and situates Neilson within a British theatrical tradition, including through an interview with him.Table of ContentsChronology History Form Politics Genre Production History PLAYTEXT Interview with Anthony Neilson Notes Further Reading

    4 in stock

    £12.34

  • Peter Pan Goes Wrong

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Peter Pan Goes Wrong

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn one of Chris' productions, due to an ill-timed haircut Rapunzel had to be imprisoned in a bungalow. But now with no further ado, please put your hands together for J.M. Barrie's Christmas classic: Peter Pan!The inept and accident-prone Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society set out to present J. M. Barrie''s classic tale of Peter Pan, their most audacious production to date. Flying? Pyrotechnics? Sharp hooks? What ensues is two acts of hysterical disaster. You''ll laugh, they''ll cry. Something so wrong has never been so right.From the mischievous minds of the West End and Edinburgh hit The Play That Goes Wrong comes this highly original, chaos-filled re-telling of J.M. Barrie''s much-loved classic.Peter Pan Goes Wrong received its world premiere at the Pleasance Theatre, London, on 10 December 2013 and transferred to the West End on 4 December 2015. The show opened on Broadway on 19 April 2023, and this updated edition was publishe

    3 in stock

    £10.99

  • Music Composition For Dummies

    John Wiley & Sons Inc Music Composition For Dummies

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisCreate the next big pop hit, bang out a catchy jingle, or write an iconic film score, with music composition skills Today''s composers create music for television, film, commercials, and even video games. Music Composition For Dummies brings you up to speed with the theory and technicality of composing music. With easy-to-understand content that tracks to a typical music composition intro course, this book will teach you how to use music theory to write music in a variety of forms. You''ll discover the latest tech tools for composers, including composing software and online streaming services where you can publish your musical creations. And you''ll get a rundown on the world of intellectual property, so you can collab and remix fairly, while retaining all the rights to your own creations. Get a clear introduction to music theory and songwriting concepts Learn about composition best practices for movies, TV, video games, and beyond Explore sample music to help you understand both artistic and commercial composition Launch into the latest technologies to mix and share your creations Great for music students and aspiring artists, Music Composition For Dummies, is an easy-to-read guide to writing and producing all kinds of tunes.

    2 in stock

    £16.14

  • Stories I Might Regret Telling You

    Simon & Schuster Ltd Stories I Might Regret Telling You

    5 in stock

    Book Synopsis'With disarming candour and courage, Martha tells us of finding her own voice and peace as a working artist and mother. Her story is made more unique because of the remarkably gifted musical family she was born into' EMMYLOU HARRIS Born into music royalty, daughter of Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III and sister to singer Rufus Wainwright, Martha grew up in a world filled with incomparable folk legends. With the same emotional honesty that has come to define her music Martha describes her tumultuous public-facing journey from awkward, earnest and ultimately rebellious daughter, through her intense competition and ultimate alliance with her brother, Rufus, to the heartbreaking loss of their mother and finally discovering her voice as an artist.   With candour and grace she writes of becoming a mother herself and making peace with her past struggles with Kate and her younger self. Ultimately, this book offers a thoughtful and

    5 in stock

    £9.49

  • Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin

    Orion Publishing Co Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisSUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023MOJO BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023A ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023AN UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023A VARIETY MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023One of the few indisputable geniuses of pop music, Sly Stone is a trailblazer who created a new kind of music, mixing Black and white, male and female, funk and rock; penned some of the most iconic anthems of the 1960s and 70s, from Everyday People to Family Affair; and electrified audiences with a persona and stage presence that set a lasting standard for pop culture performance. Yet he has also been a cautionary tale, known as much for how he dropped out of sight as for what put him in the spotlight in the first place. As much as people know the music, the man remains a mystery. In Thank You, his much-anticipated memoir, he''s finally ready to share his story - a story that many thought he''d never have the chance t

    1 in stock

    £10.44

  • By Your Side My Life Loving Barbara Windsor

    Orion Publishing Co By Your Side My Life Loving Barbara Windsor

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis''I''m so glad you had the life you did, Barbara. I''m sorry you can''t remember, but my God, what a life! You haven''t wasted a minute of it...''In December 2020, while the world was gripped with news of an imminent third lockdown, Scott Mitchell was visiting the care home where his partner and wife of 27 years - Dame Barbara Windsor - was being looked after. At the age of 83, after a career spanning seven decades and a seven-year battle with the debilitating effects of dementia, she was slipping away.Barbara''s illness meant she could no longer remember her magical career, and so Scott sat by her bedside in her final days, telling her tales from their extraordinary life together. From the unlikely moment they met to the challenges they faced, and the highs and lows of a life shared in the limelight. For theirs was an incredibly passionate relationship, but also a turbulent one - and along with a life of love and laughter, together they endured the pressures

    4 in stock

    £8.54

  • Solid Foundation

    Orion Publishing Co Solid Foundation

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisFOREWORD BY JACQUELINE CROOKSSolid Foundation is the definitive history of Jamaica''s holy music: reggae in all its forms, from the earliest ska and rock steady pioneers to the dancehall and reggae revival stars of the twenty-first century. Woven together into an engrossing narrative, this is an extensive history charting the progression and development of the music, with all the glorious highlights and the controversies and feuds in between. First published in 2003 and including interviews with over 200 of the genre''s key artists, Solid Foundation has been revised and updated with abundant new material and an introduction by award-nominated novelist, Jacqueline Crooks, reissued as part of White Rabbit''s Deep Cuts series.''The definitive history of reggae told through exclusive interviews with the genre''s greatest innovators.'' - Sunday Herald''Solid Foundation goes the extra yard to become a defining text, with Katz interviewing virtually every sur

    5 in stock

    £15.29

  • One Hundred Miracles

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC One Hundred Miracles

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe remarkable memoir of Zuzana Ružicková, Holocaust survivor and world-famous harpsichordist. ''Extraordinary'' Sunday Times''Compelling'' Daily Telegraph Zuzana Ružicková grew up in 1930s Czechoslovakia dreaming of two things: Johann Sebastian Bach and the piano. But her peaceful, melodic childhood was torn apart when, in 1939, the Nazis invaded. Uprooted from her home, transported from Auschwitz to Hamburg to Bergen-Belsen, bereaved, starved, and afflicted with crippling injuries to her musician's hands, the teenage Zuzana faced a series of devastating losses. Yet with every truck and train ride, a small slip of paper printed with her favourite piece of Bach's music became her talisman. Armed with this proof that beauty still existed', Zuzana's fierce bravery and passion ensured her survival of the greatest human atrocities of all time, and would continue to sustain her through the brutalities of post-war Communist rule. Harnessing her talent andTrade Review[An] extraordinary memoir … A moving record of a life well lived in the face of appalling obstacles -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *A compelling story of terrible suffering surmounted by incredible bravery -- Anne de Courcy * Daily Telegraph *[Zuzana’s] humanity shines through all the inhumanity … Vivid and moving -- The Jewish Chronicle

    5 in stock

    £13.49

  • American Film and Society since 1945

    Bloomsbury Publishing Plc American Film and Society since 1945

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom Steven Spielberg''s Lincoln to Clint Eastwood''s American Sniper, this fifth edition of this classic film study text adds even more recent films and examines how these movies depict and represent the feelings and values of American society.One of the few authoritative books about American film and society, Praeger''s American Film and Society since 1945 combines accessible, fun-to-read text with a detailed, insightful, and scholarly political and social analysis that thoroughly explores the relationship of American film to society and provides essential historical context. The historical overview provides a capsule analysis of both American and Hollywood history for the most recent decade as well as past eras, in which topics like American realism; Vietnam, counterculture revolutions, and 1960s films; and Hollywood depictions of big business like Wall Street are covered. Readers will better understand the explicit and hidden meanings of films and apprecTrade ReviewFilm studies programs will find this to be an indispensable tome, and public libraries will value the book's significant analyses and perceptions about both American society and its film industry. * ARBA *Table of ContentsPreface to the Fifth Edition Acknowledgments 1 Introduction 2 The 1940s 3 The 1950s 4 The 1960s 5 The 1970s 6 The 1980s 7 The 1990s 8 2000–2009 9 The 2010s Selected Bibliography Index

    4 in stock

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  • The Avengers and New Avengers Collectibles

    Amberley Publishing The Avengers and New Avengers Collectibles

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisRare and unusual items from the iconic TV show. What can be said about what is probably âtheâ fantasy adventure series of the sixties?

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  • Not For Me Clive

    Headline Publishing Group Not For Me Clive

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    Book Synopsis''an enjoyable and interesting journey through football'' Donald McRae, The Guardian''This is really good. Raw, funny and revealing on football, on Ferguson, Clough, Dalglish & worth getting for the Roy Keane selfie story alone. Emotional on his ITV exit. Talent like Tyldesley''s appeals to all ages.'' Henry Winter''Started reading this and couldn''t stop ... wise and entertaining on the big names and games. Clever work.'' Paul Hayward''Clive Tyldesley''s brilliant, emotive commentaries became the soundtrack to matches that will stay with the fans for the rest of their lives.'' Oliver HoltFootball changes everything. It changes how we feel, how we think, how we behave. It turns us into someone else. You love your team first. It''s tribal. Except I did love something else. I loved the idea of commentating on my team, on every team. I loved it even more than my team. I ditched the girl next door for the diva on the

    2 in stock

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  • Ten Thousand Apologies

    Orion Publishing Co Ten Thousand Apologies

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    Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & A ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022SHORTLISTED FOR THE PENDERYN MUSIC BOOK PRIZE''The story of a band that''s always on the brink: of stardom, of madness, of brilliance, of disgrace'' Miranda Sawyer, Observer''You begin to wonder why more biographies aren''t tackled with such invention'' Record Collector''This book is a rarity'' Mark Lanegan''One of the finest music books in aeons'' Kevin Barry''A bruising, exhilarating read, which captures the nihilistic energy of this strange and brilliant band'' Independent''Destined to become a classic of the genre'' Louder Than War''A fastidious portrait of chaos, displacement and bad acid'' Mojo''Music book of the year? Already? Don''t bet against it'' Crack Magazine''Read it and writhe'' Spider StaceyFrom the mountains of Algeria to the sTrade ReviewThe story of a band that's always on the brink: of stardom, of madness, of brilliance, of disgrace . . . The excess disguises the true heart of Ten Thousand Apologies which is a sort of yearning, a search for enlightenment, a way to live but especially for a home -- Miranda Sawyer * Observer *A jaw-dropping rollercoaster of tragi-comic mishaps and gargantuan drug consumption * Rolling Stone UK *A bruising, exhilarating read, which captures the nihilistic energy of this strange and brilliant band * Independent *A fastidious portrait of chaos, displacement and bad acid * Mojo **** *The tale is told by award-winning writer Adelle Stripe in a striking third-person prose that gives Ten Thousand Apologies a novelistic tone, interspersed with frontman Lias Saoudi's raw, dark, mocking recollections that are also very, very funny at times . . . you begin to wonder why more biographies aren't tackled with such invention . . . There's no great redemption but it offers a quietly triumphant denouement that's more palatable than boring atonement * Record Collector **** *From Algeria to London and everywhere in between, Ten Thousand Apologies makes most books about the artist as a young man, the music biz and being in a band just a little bit pallid. Music book of the year? Already? Don't bet against it * Crack Magazine *Destined to become a classic of the genre * Louder than War *This book is a rarity, the kind I hold near and dear to my heart. The story of The Fat White Family is equal parts high comedy and deep tragedy, just like life itself -- Mark LaneganA unique concoction, full of beautiful lies and ecstatic truths - one of the finest music books in aeons -- Kevin BarryRead it and writhe -- Spider StaceyDestined to become a classic of the genre * Louder than War *

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • for colored girls who have considered suicide

    Orion Publishing Co for colored girls who have considered suicide

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis''Inspiring. Emotionally charged. Ground-breaking'' BERNARDINE EVARISTO''A revelation. I am so thankful to Ntozake Shange for seeing us, reflecting us and showing us how beautiful we can be'' JESMYN WARD''Encompassing, it seems, every feeling and experience a woman has ever had'' NEW YORKERThe Lady in Red has adored her lover for 8 months, 2 wks, & a day, but now she is leaving. The Lady in Blue has an abortion, all alone. The Lady in Brown can read fifteen books in three weeks.The Lady in Purple has met a man, and is finally being real. The Lady in Yellow was a virgin, until she spent her graduation night driving around in a black Buick with boys. And the Lady in Orange has to dance to keep from crying and dying.Written in 1975 and immediately hailed as a masterwork, this ''choro-poem'' is made up of monologues detailing loss, betrayal, love and community. A passionate and fearless portrait of black womanhood in th

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • Avenged Sevenfold  The Best Of 20052013

    Hal Leonard Corporation Avenged Sevenfold The Best Of 20052013

    4 in stock

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    Polity Press The Diver of Paestum

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  • La Parisienne in Cinema: Between Art and Life

    Manchester University Press La Parisienne in Cinema: Between Art and Life

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisChic, sophisticated, seductive and enigmatic, the Parisienne possesses a je ne sais quoi that makes her difficult to define. But who or what is the Parisienne, and how is she depicted in cinema? The first book-length study on the subject combines scholarship in the fields of art history, literature and fashion to enrich our understanding of this intriguing cinematic figure, simultaneously offering new perspectives on film. Accessible and wide-ranging, it will be of immediate interest to students and researchers working in film studies, French studies and the broader humanities, as well as cinephiles and Francophiles alike.Trade Review‘In this well-researched and insightful monograph, Felicity Chaplin presents the figure of the Parisienne in cinema “between art and life”, concentrating on 1950s and 1960s French and Hollywood film. She covers approximately four films per chapter, over six main sections, using “Parisienne” as both a noun and an adjective, and writing of what she terms the “Parisienne-ness” of her subjects… This book is a valuable addition to film studies, fashion studies and general cultural studies. The style is engaging, and the research is wide-ranging and thought provoking.’Dervila Cooke, Dublin City University, H-France Review Vol. 18, No. 92 (April 2018)‘"La Parisienne", as Chaplin explains, stands for an image of the city personified by a female figure. In the mid-nineteenth century, this became synonymous with the figure of an urban woman, an emblem of modernity whose mode of dress expressed her identity. She can be both artist and muse. Her class origins are not fixed: she might come from the demi-monde or the bourgeoiseie. In context, she can embody sexual openness and experimentation, or refined elegance and restraint. 'In her deft, dense, intriguing book, Chaplin has delineated an area of research; she has also created a space or set of possibilities for studies that can take her project further, deeper, into more specialised areas or specific forms of critical engagement.’ Philippa Hawker, Australian Book Review No. 42 (June-July 2018)‘Any study of as broad a corpus as is indicated by this book’s title is likely to have multiple aims, and Felicity Chaplin’s book seems to set itself not just the objective of adding cinema to the list of art forms in which La Parisienne frequently figures and has been studied (painting and drawing), but of using a typically art historical methodology (iconography) to do so… Approving of Alloway’s anti-evaluative and implicitly anti-auteurist idea of culture as a continuum, Chaplin introduces her corpus as one that ranges across this continuum… Chaplin’s book certainly does extensive impressive groundwork for further studies of the Parisienne figure in cinema…’Kate Ince, University of Birmingham, EuropeNow, Issue 22 (2018)'Hopefully, Chaplin’s detailed, comprehensive and persuasive study will set the stage for keeping the spotlight on the Parisienne into the twenty-first century.'Joe Hardwick, University of Queensland, Australian Journal of French Studies Vol. 55, No. 3 (2018)‘This book is an important analysis of the history of fashion, art, media, literature, and French culture. It is a tool for students and researchers with an interest in discussing the peculiar theme of the Parisienn e , but it also offers insights into a range of different subjects such as the intricate relationship between fashion and cinema, as well as further topics such as social mobility, cosmopolitanism, and self–fashioning.’The Journal of Dress History -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction: ‘What’s she like?’1 Muse2 Cosmopolite3 Icon of fashion4 Femme fatale5 Courtesan6 StarConclusion: ‘Look, let’s start all over again. What’s she like?’Index

    4 in stock

    £21.00

  • Here in the Dark

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Here in the Dark

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisBy night, Vivian Parry performs the role of Manhattan’s sharpest theatre critic, immersing herself fully in every show she sees. By day, she uses work, sex, and psychotropic drugs to keep her comfortably numb. Desperate for a promotion and at the urging of her editor, she agrees to an interview with David Adler, an enigmatic graduate student. When he later disappears, Vivian soon learns from his devastated fiancée that she was the last person to have seen him alive. The police refuse to investigate his disappearance and Vivian finds herself obsessed with what happened, assuming the role of amateur investigator. But as she gets closer to the truth about David Adler, she finds that the boundaries between theatre and reality are more tenuous than even she could have believed. 'An impressive debut' Financial Times 'A sharp, funny, and pacy slice of Manhattan noir' Guardian Trade ReviewAlexis Soloski portrays Manhattan's thespian scene and high-end social life in vivid detail with snappy dialogue. This is an impressive debut * Financial Times *A sharp, funny and pacy slice of Manhattan noir that manages to be over-the-top and weirdly plausible, with a terrific payoff * Guardian *Alexis Soloski's debut novel is an elegant, chilling read that examines the lives of critics, actors, and addicts. It poses the question: can you know or even have your own identity, when your entire life is spent acting? Recommended for lovers of New York and the theatre, this is a taut, beautifully written psychological thriller that dares to delve into the darkness behind the curtains -- Laura SheppersonA moody, taut dose of noir, Here in the Dark is a poised, daring debut - the kind of novel I relish and can't get out of my head, evoking the work of icons like Megan Abbott and Margaret Millar in its hypnotic prose and mesmerizing characters. Readers will not forget Vivian Parry - and they won't want to -- Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret IdentitySoloski does not disappoint in either her sharp-eyed and unflinching portrait of an unravelling critic, or in her delicious upending of genre. Hitchcock meets a slippery metatheatrics of power, performance, desire, and escape. This is a novel and a protagonist who moves with a precarious velocity, constantly choosing the most dangerous move and bringing us careening after -- Jen Silverman, author of We Play OurselvesHere in the Dark lives up to its title and is indeed a dark tale; it’s also hilarious, addictive, elegantly constructed, and composed. It’s ultimately a book about art and the love of art, but it's cleverly disguised as a thrill ride, a jolt of pulp and a shot of noir. It became a New York classic to me the minute I read the last sentence -- Michael Imperioli, actor, writer, and musicianFrom its very first page to its final revelation, Here in the Dark will possess you with a mix of acerbic wit and Highsmithian invention. I blazed through this book, delighting equally in the cleverness of its plot and the delicious wickedness of Vivian Parry - a woman you can’t look away from even for a second. And why would you, when there’s a life-or-death mystery, dialogue that feels beamed in from a classic noir, and a ballet about rabies on offer? Even if you’ve never seen a play, you’ll be thrilled by the ways author Alexis Soloski takes the novel of suspense and turns it into a meditation on seeing and being seen, knowing and being known, judging and being judged -- Isaac Butler, author of The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to ACT

    4 in stock

    £15.29

  • From the Films of Harry Potter 100 Objects The

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC From the Films of Harry Potter 100 Objects The

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisHarry Potter in 100 Objects presents a host of incredible props, artefacts and set items from the legendary Harry Potter movies. Through colourful photography and insider facts from the creators of all eight films, readers will discover the significance of each object and its unique role in shaping the beloved series. Filled with cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes accounts, concept art and film facts, this is a must-have for all Harry Potter fans.100 ICONIC OBJECTS: A stunning range of objects play a part in Harry's journey, from the Elder Wand to the Cloak of Invisibility and the Sword of Gryffindor. Learn about the design, creation and significance of dozens of these important artefacts from the wizarding world.8 FEATURED FILMS: The objects featured span all eight Harry Potter films, from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2.EXCLUSIVE CONTENT:

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  • Break a Leg: A memoir, manifesto and celebration

    Vintage Publishing Break a Leg: A memoir, manifesto and celebration

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis'With spot-on injections of humour and a frequently raised sardonic eyebrow, joy and warmth shine from this fascinating and funny book' Jo BrandA joyful celebration of amateur theatreFrom the Mystery Plays of the Middle Ages, via the Georgian aristocrats who built opulent private theatres in their own homes, to the radical lefties taking political theatre to the streets, this is the story of amateur dramatics in Britain. We meet a cast of characters who tell us about the joy amateur theatre brings them and we follow the full arc of a production, from first auditions to last night party, with all the mishaps and forgotten lines that come in between. In a triumphant mix of memoir, social history and manifesto, Jenny Landreth opens our eyes to am-dram and shows us a vibrant world that is a crucial part of our culture.Trade ReviewAn unputdownable, utterly delightful stroll through British amateur theatre and why it has a vital place for us all -- Shappi KhorsandiLandreth's charming book is both a cultural history of amateur theatre and a loving look at am-dram and its role in British life -- Sarah Hughes * i *This funny and interesting book makes you yearn for a long-lost sense of community, and then realise it’s been there all along. Jenny Landreth, take an Am Dram style bow -- John O’FarrellAmateur is not a dirty word, but implies disinterested love, dedication and a clubbable, community feeling . . . Landreth reminds us, importantly, that the word amateur includes student and community theatre, vital seed corn and support to the professional world -- Libby Purvis * The Times *With spot-on injections of humour and a frequently raised sardonic eyebrow, joy and warmth shine from this fascinating and funny book -- Jo Brand

    3 in stock

    £9.49

  • How to Play the Piano

    Quercus Publishing How to Play the Piano

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis'Internationally acclaimed pianist, author and all-round nice guy James Rhodes promises that this book can teach anyone with access to a piano or an electric keyboard and 45 minutes to practice every a day, the tools they need to learn to play Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major in 6 weeks' RED MAGAZINELearn to play one of Bach's most exquisite preludes in just 6 weeks, even if you have never played the piano before.An accessible and inspiring book by the pianist and international bestselling writer James Rhodes, who promises that it gives anyone with two hands, a piano or an electric keyboard and just 45 minutes a day the tools they need to learn to play Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major in 6 weeks, even if they know nothing about music and have never even touched a piano before.How often do we convince ourselves that it's just too late - too late to learn how to ride a bike, too late to know how to meditate, too late to travel the world... As we get older and time slips through our fingers like water, we become resigned, almost defeatist, about abandoning our dreams. For James Rhodes, after the inevitable "How many hours a day do you practice?" and "Show me your hands", the most common thing people say to him when they hear he's a pianist is "I used to play the piano as a kid. I really regret giving it up". Where does this mourned and misplaced creativity go? For Rhodes, it's still there to be tapped into by all of us, at any point. This inspirational book gives us the means to do this, by breaking up Bach's seminal Prelude No. 1 from the Well-Tempered Clavier into manageable segments, teaching us the basics of piano playing - how to read music, the difference between the treble and the bass clef, sharp and flat notes, how to practice etc.. - and encouraging personal interpretation in a way that is guaranteed to soothe the mind, feed the soul and unleash creative powers we didn't know we still had. All of this will culminate in an ability to perform one of Bach's masterpieces."If listening to music is soothing for the soul, then playing music is achieving enlightenment. It's going from kicking a ball around with a few pals to playing alongside Ronaldo."Trade ReviewIn our relentless pursuit of a fulfilled life, we've become a knowledge-hungry nation. The Little Ways To Live A Big Life series will feed your yearning for learning * Red Magazine *

    3 in stock

    £9.99

  • The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and

    Michael Wiese Productions The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

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  • The Golden Voice: The Ballad of Cambodian Rock's

    Humanoids, Inc The Golden Voice: The Ballad of Cambodian Rock's

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe true story of beloved Cambodian singer Ros Serey Sothea, whose “Golden Voice” helped define Cambodia’s Golden Age of music until her mysterious disappearance in the killing fields of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge. Developed in partnership with Sothea’s family.There is a saying in Cambodia: Music is the soul of a nation. Perhaps no one embodied that spirit more than Ros Serey Sothea, a young woman who would forever change the landscape of Cambodian music as the Queen with the Golden Voice. From a humble rice farmer to nationally recognized singer, Sothea’s success captured the hearts of the Khmer people. Throughout her career, she recorded over 500 songs, her signature angelic voice soaring over genres from traditional ballads to psychedelic rock and beyond. As the Cambodian civil war raged, Sothea's singing career continued to flourish, even when she served in the army as one of the country's first female paratroopers. After years of bloody conflict, the communist Khmer Rouge seized control, murdering artists and destroying their music, bringing Cambodia's golden age into a dark era of silence. Sothea’s fate is unknown. Ros Serey Sothea's golden voice lives on in the popular music of Cambodia to this very day. Gone but not forgotten, her legacy continues to inspire. The Golden Voice tells the story of Sothea’s life, developed alongside the surviving family who knew her, and accompanied by an interactive soundtrack.Trade Review“A delicate balance between biography, storytelling, and history to immerse the reader...Comics about the history of Cambodia and its people are having a bit of a moment, and this is a beautiful addition readers won’t want to miss.” -- Booklist Starred Review"A very beautiful graphic novel that deserves to see the light of day. Such a poignant life story." -- Tian Veasna, author of the Eisner Award-nominated Year of the Rabbit"Ros’ brilliant but short life makes for an excellent avenue to explore this tumultuous period of Cambodian history and demonstrates the ways that music can capture the spirit of a people—even after the musician is gone." -- Kirkus Review"This is such a beautiful and powerful book about one of my idols. The drawings and the included soundtrack makes the story so real and emotional. Everyone should know the amazing life and golden voice of Ros Serey Sothea." -- Chhom Nimol, Lead singer of Cambodian rock band Dengue Fever“The Golden Voice will tug at your heartstrings if you dare to listen to Ros Serey Sothea’s storytelling through her most beautiful and memorable classic songs along with other Cambodian legendary rock luminaries whose songs have been masterfully selected for the wonderful novel.” -- Chanrithy Him, international speaker and author of the internationally acclaimed, award-winning memoir When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge

    3 in stock

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  • No Daylight in That Face

    Rare Bird Books No Daylight in That Face

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisOur of print for years and newly retitled and expanded, this deluxe new edition of Gifford''s celebrated handbook unlocks the secrets of noir movies and their relevance todayFor a tour of noir cinema, No Daylight in this Face is the perfect companion, and Barry Gifford is an ideal guide. His choice selection of films exposes the menacing, moody, and oftentimes violent underbelly of this dark movie genre that occupies a favorite niche in American popular culture.Some are classics, some are little known and seldom seen, but all, once viewed, are deeply remembered by aficionados of noir. Gifford''s roll call of unforgettables includes these, and more: The Asphalt Jungle, Body and Soul, Body Heat, Charley Varrick, Chinatown, The Devil Thumbs a Ride, D.O.A., Double Indemnity, High Sierra, Key Largo, Kiss of Death, Mean Streets, Mildred Pierce, Mr. Majestyk, Out of the Past, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Strangers on a Train, White Heat, along with several noir classics from Europe―Repulsion, The Hidden Room, Shoot the Piano Player, The 400 Blows, Odd Man Out.Gifford identifies the directors and names the many noir stars, the greats and not-so-greats who were cast in the indelible roles of hoods, B-girls, psychopaths, grifters, gumshoes, waifs, tarts, femme fatales, mobsters, molls, and ex-cons.In an introduction, novelists Edward Gorman and Dow Mossman collaboratively applaud Gifford''s selections and his insights: “The movies discussed here range from the lowest of the B''s to the biggest of the A''s, and this book is going to make you want to run out and locate every one of them (and good luck to you; finding The Devil Thumbs a Ride could take you a lifetime). Through Barry Gifford''s eyes, we begin to see their similarities and their value. What Andrew Sarris did for the mainstream film in The American Cinema, Barry does here for the crime film.”With a connoisseur''s insight and an offbeat sensitivity perfectly tailored to his subjects, Gifford''s brief essays cover a hundred of the noir buff''s favorites. His highly polished impressions take the reader through five decades of noir to find both the heart and the art of the plotline.

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  • Studio Ghibli The Complete Works  Second Edition

    Penguin Random House Group Studio Ghibli The Complete Works Second Edition

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    a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

    1 in stock

    £28.79

  • Dream Facades

    Astra Publishing House Dream Facades

    3 in stock

    a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

    3 in stock

    £22.10

  • No Sense in Wishing

    Atria Books No Sense in Wishing

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis

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    Scribner Book Company Backbeats

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  • Shortcomings Screenplay

    Drawn and Quarterly Shortcomings Screenplay

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    Book SynopsisThe annotated and expanded screenplay adaptation of the landmark graphic novelBen and Miko's relationship is in trouble. He's a struggling filmmaker, she works for a local film festival, and in various ways, they're both searching for something else. When he's not managing a derelict movie theater, Ben spends his time obsessing over unavailable blonde women, watching Criterion Collection DVDs, and eating in diners with his best friend Alice, a grad student with a serial dating habit. When Miko moves to New York for an internship, Ben begins to explore what he thinks he wants, throwing himself headfirst into new relationships, unfamiliar surroundings, and uncharted emotional territory. Equal parts comedy and drama, Shortcomings explores the complexities of culture, desire, and Asian American identity with a critical eye and unsparing, irreverent wit.Based on Adrian Tomine's groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name, Shortcomings was written by

    4 in stock

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  • Paul McCartney: The Biography

    Orion Publishing Co Paul McCartney: The Biography

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    Book Synopsis'A thorough, objective telling of McCartney's story - in and out of the most famous band ever.' ESQUIREThe first biography written with McCartney's approval and with access to family members and friends closest to him.In 2013, Sir Paul McCartney granted Philip Norman 'tacit approval' as his biographer. The result is a masterly and complex portrait of the most successful songwriter in history.It gives a unique insight into McCartney's childhood, blighted by the loss of his mother when he was fourteen, and into the creative symbiosis and fierce rivalry between John Lennon and himself that powered the Beatles' music. Here, too, for the first time, is the full story of McCartney's triumphant but troubled post-Beatles years: the tragic death of his first wife, Linda, and the chaotic divorce from his second wife, Heather Mills.Paul McCartney is the definitive life of a long-misunderstood genius that superbly evokes half a century of popular music and culture.Trade ReviewNorman is an enviably skilled pen-portraitist, with a consummate ability to conjure the presence of [McCartney] ... A powerful sense of McCartney the man comes across in this book's evocative high points ... A capably executed biography, brimming with detail -- John Harris * THE GUARDIAN *A thorough, objective telling of McCartney's story - in and out of the most famous band ever. But it's also a breezy read, considering the tremendous ground it covers -- Jeff Slate * ESQUIRE.COM *Meticulous character study that adeptly shuns hero worship -- Bill Prince * GQ magazine *Where [the] book succeeds the most is bringing the reader into McCartney's private life... The most up-to-date account of Paul's life to yet appear * THE ECONOMIST *A compelling narrative about a working-class Liverpudlian whose extraordinary musical gifts made him the most successful songwriter in history... McCartney emerges from [the book] as a textured but decent man -- Graham Boynton * NEWSWEEK *Norman makes meaningful use of his access to members of Macca's Liverpool clan, a colourful crew to whom he's always remained close, as well as many business and musical associates, friends, lovers, collaborators and flunkies ... The Beatles story is so amazing in every respect that when it's told as well as this, it's worth reading again -- Allan Jones * UNCUT *An enormous and sympathetic book ... The story of its subject's life from his childhood in Liverpool through the breakup of the Beatles in 1970 has lost none of its ability to charm ... One of the best stories the past century has to tell -- Dwight Garner * NEW YORK TIMES *Philip Norman's considered biography portrays the 'cute' Beatle in all his creative complexity and breadth -- Neil Spencer * THE GUARDIAN *This biography is a compelling chronicle of the life of an immortal icon -- Ed Murphy * HOT PRESS *This 800-page opus is crammed with detail ... Read it for the detail and humour of the early years, and marvel at the revelations * i PAPER *Meticulous detail ... you can even smell the sweat, rat shit and basement mold in the Cavern Club ... Even Macca, who, to Norman's surprise, agreed to give him "tacit approval" without directly particpating, apparently had to concede that the guy is a Beatles scholar to reckon with. The Beatles' startlingly brief career is recounted expertly; Norman knows his facts ... vivid storytelling ... Norman gets as close as anyone has yet. -- Will Hermes * ROLLING STONE *Norman is perhaps the only biographer to provide an exegesis of the one Beatle most everyone gets wrong. This is thrillingly thorough stuff ... richness of detail ... McCartney is a rounded figure here -- Brian Boyd * THE IRISH TIMES *[Norman] is a good interviewer and the book is charming when he lets his Liverpool sources speak about the days before the Beatles were inevitable ... Paul McCartney is full of things that happened to Paul McCartney and through absurd fame and a few tragedies he appears to be an unusually decent man with few regrets * THE SCOTSMAN *Written with the tacit approval of its subject, Philip Norman's Paul McCartney: The Biography is the most thorough examination to date of the ex-Beatle's life and music, also serving to set the record straight on McCartney's central importance in the group once described as "the 20th century's greatest romance" * CHOICE magazine *A colourful and detailed account of Macca's life and music * SAGA magazine *A very fair and multi-layered biography * MAIL ON SUNDAY - Summer Reads *What's left to reveal about one of the most chronicled musicians of the 20th century? As it turns out, a great deal. With the notoriously guarded McCartney's "tacit approval," Norman sheds new light on well-known Beatles stories and then goes further, forging a thoroughly absorbing account of McCartney's life after the group's breakup: business ventures, parenthood, personal tragedy, the struggle to live and create beyond the legacy of his fabled band. The result is a tantalizing trip down the legend's own long and winding road. * HUFFINGTON POST *

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • The World of Simon Rich

    Profile Books Ltd The World of Simon Rich

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe world is a bewildering place and we're ill-equipped to deal with it. From the horrors of childhood to the vagaries of old age, from confused people to humiliated animals, we're all just trying - and often failing - to keep it together. How carefully should you answer when asked what you'd take to a desert island? What do you do if your parents are reading your diary? How useful is a Swiss Army Knife? And what's A Brief History of Time really about? Armed with a sharp eye for the absurd and an overwhelming sense of doom, Simon Rich explores the ridiculousness of our everyday lives, from the most minute of anxieties to one of life's biggest questions: Does God really have a plan for us? Yes, it turns out. Now if only He could remember what it was ... 'Simon Rich is very much laugh-out-loud funny. He can conjure authentic, from-the-abdomen laughter on almost every page. He stacks surrealism on top of slick satire on top of pure childish silliness in such a brilliant and condensed way, there are sometimes three laugh-out-loud moments within the same paragraph ... He is exactly the right kind of writer for the internet: funny, high-concept, accessible, short, sharable, a James Thurber for the Twitter age' Matt HaigTrade ReviewSimon Rich is outrageously, lavishly gifted -- Caitlin MoranHow fabulously funny -- Lauren LaverneHilarious. Open this book anywhere, begin reading, and you will laugh -- Jon StewartThe wittiest American humourist of his generation * Guardian *This year's giggliest read * Observer magazine *A remarkably funny writer, likely to make you laugh harder than any other ... there's no funnier writer working today * Shortlist *Rich has a wonderful way of making a familiar situation strange and then presenting it in deceptively simple language, within a perfectly lucid, concise structure ... Genius ... He is a Thurber, even a Wodehouse, for today. Who could ask for more? You can give his books to people and just watch them laugh. Only after you've snorted through them yourself, though -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *Simon Rich is very much laugh-out-loud funny. He can conjure authentic, from-the-abdomen laughter on almost every page. He stacks surrealism on top of slick satire on top of pure childish silliness in such a brilliant and condensed way, there are sometimes three laugh-out-loud moments within the same paragraph ... He is exactly the right kind of writer for the internet: funny, high-concept, accessible, short, sharable, a James Thurber for the Twitter age -- Matt Haig * Guardian *Brilliant ... Slightly nerdy and very sharp -- William Leith * Evening Standard *

    4 in stock

    £8.54

  • The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance

    The Crowood Press Ltd The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisJazz dance and its inherent music is recognized as one of the original and most potent art forms of the last two centuries. From its African roots to our present-day global dance community, the jazz idiom has afforded a cross-fertilization with all other artistic, cultural and social representations within the arts industry, providing an accessible dance platform for dancers, teachers and creatives to enjoy both recreationally and professionally. The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance offers a practical and uncomplicated overview to the multi-layered history, practices and development of jazz dance as a creative and artistic dance form. It covers the incredible history and lineage of jazz dance; the innovators, choreographers and dance creatives of the genre; specifics of jazz aesthetic, steps and styles; a detailed breakdown of a practical jazz dance warm-up and technical exercises; creative frameworks to support development of jazz dance expression and aesthetic; performance and improvisation; jazz music and musical interpretation, and finally, choreographing and creating jazz works. With over 230 colour photos and a wealth of tips and advice, this new book will be an ideal reading companion for dancers of all abilities, dance teachers, choreographers as well as all jazz dance enthusiasts.

    1 in stock

    £18.00

  • StreetLevel Superstar

    Bonnier Books Ltd StreetLevel Superstar

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2025 PENDERYN MUSIC BOOK PRIZERough Trade Book of the YearUncut Book of the Year Mojo Book of the YearA Guardian Book of the YearA Daily Mail Book of the YearA Financial Times Book of the YearA Resident Book of the YearA Telegraph Book of the YearA Daily Express Book of the Year'Will has finally written his masterpiece. I'm glad I could be of assistance' LAWRENCELawrence is the greatest pop star who never made it, his dreams of glory thwarted over the past five decades by bad luck and self-sabotage. At sixty-one, he set off on a new mission: to escape poverty, obscurity and the humiliation of kids at the bus stop laughing at him by writing a smash hit. But what is the cost of a dream?In 1980, Lawrence formed Felt, releasing ten albums and ten singles in ten years. In 1991, he reinvented himself with novelty-pop outfit Denim. Signed to EMI, riding the wave of Britpop, in 1997, Denim's song 'Summer Smash' became Radio 1's Single of the Week and looked like a sure-fire hit. Then Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. All copies were melted down. Crushing depression, addiction and homelessness followed... but in the face of it all, Lawrence never gave up.In Street-Level Superstar, bestselling author and journalist Will Hodgkinson follows Lawrence as he rebuilds his life. He gets mistaken for an old lady by an amorous pensioner, is reduced to dragging sacks of 2p coins to his local bank and wanders through London's distant suburbs in search of lyrical inspiration. As they walk together down rain-soaked streets, Will tells the story of Britain's most eccentric cult star. Will he write the greatest song the world has ever known before the year is out? And was it worth sacrificing everything - family, relationships, health, sanity - for art?

    Out of stock

    £11.69

  • Blondie: Parallel Lives Revised Edition

    Omnibus Press Blondie: Parallel Lives Revised Edition

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisDrawing upon extensive new first hand interview material from Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and many other significant players in the band's long history, a huge archive of personal materials and unpublished interviews, Blondie: Parallel Lives is the definitive eye-witness account of the group's long and often tumultuous existence. Beginning with their childhoods, backgrounds and influences, the book is also an evocative homage to the unique New York scene of the 1970s. It charts the development of Blondie to their massive popular success and eventual break up. How Debbie Harry set her career aside to nurse Chris through a debilitating and life-threatening genetic disease. It recounts the group's 1997 reformation, subsequent renaissance with their No Exit album, the controversies surrounding the 2006 induction to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, ending in the present with the release of Panic of Girls. Co-author Kris Needs established a friendship with Harry, Stein and the rest of the band that endures to this day. As a trusted confidante, he now recounts the full story.

    4 in stock

    £15.29

  • More Piano Sight-Reading, Grade 1

    Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music More Piano Sight-Reading, Grade 1

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book contains valuable material to help players strengthen their sight-reading skills in preparation for the ABRSM Grade 1 exam. Featuring preparatory exercises that gradually introduce key new elements encountered at Grade 1, along with a comprehensive selection of sample sight-reading pieces, More Piano Sight-Reading supports students with the transition between grades, and encourages them to integrate sight-reading into their daily practice. More Piano Sight-Reading is available for ABRSM Grades 1 to 8, offering additional support for the sight-reading requirements of the current syllabus.

    10 in stock

    £10.10

  • Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music More Piano Sight-Reading, Grade 6

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book contains valuable material to help players strengthen their sight-reading skills in preparation for the ABRSM Grade 6 exam. Featuring preparatory exercises that gradually introduce key new elements encountered at Grade 6, along with a comprehensive selection of sample sight-reading pieces, More Piano Sight-Reading supports students with the transition between grades, and encourages them to integrate sight-reading into their daily practice. More Piano Sight-Reading is available for ABRSM Grades 1 to 8, offering additional support for the sight-reading requirements of the current syllabus.

    15 in stock

    £10.88

  • Music Theory Practice Papers 2021, ABRSM Grade 1

    Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Music Theory Practice Papers 2021, ABRSM Grade 1

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisABRSM's official Music Theory Practice Papers 2021 are essential resources for candidates preparing for our online Music Theory exams. They provide authentic practice material and are a reliable guide as to what to expect in the exam. - Essential practice material for ABRSM Grade 1 Theory exams - Model answers also available

    3 in stock

    £8.22

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