Individual actors Books

Book SynopsisIn 1996 Jacques Derrida gave a lecture at the Museum of Modern Art on Antonin Artaud. Artaud the Moma reveals the challenge that Artaud posed to Derrida—and to art and its institutional history. It is a powerful interjection into the museum halls, a crucial moment in Derrida’s thought, and an insightful reading of a challenging writer and artist.Trade ReviewOne of Derrida's most extraordinarily deep and and virtuosic texts and one of the best ever written about Artaud. -- Denis Hollier, New York UniversityTable of ContentsPrefaceArtaud the MomaAfterword, by Kaira M. CabañasNotesAcknowledgments, by Kaira M. Cabañas

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe amazing true story of Charlotte Cibber, a child of the theatre who scandalized proper society - whenever possibleTrade Review'Precocious, gifted, charismatic, and eccentric, Charlotte Charke illuminated the eighteenth century with the fleeting brightness of a shooting star. Kathryn Shevelow has written a remarkable book which admirably captures this most elusive of social rebels' Amanda Foreman, author of Georgiana 'Shevelow writes well and wittily, and captures the gamut of the eighteenth-century theatrical world, from its heights in Drury Lane - which went to Charlotte's bewigged head - to its depths among rural travelling players, where she ended up as a result' Sunday Times 'Charlotte is a remarkably learned and even more remarkably entertaining history - not only of a truly fascinating and startlingly-original woman, but also of her times and culture. Kathryn Shevelow brings to life the madness, absurdity and baseness of 18th-century Britain, and the recreates for modern readers the fascinating peculiarities of its theater world. This is a brilliant piece of popular history' David Liss, author of A Conspiracy of Paper 'Quite the spectacle was Charlotte: actress, cross-dresser and general hell-raiser' Washington Post

Read more less

Book SynopsisHer performing days numbered, Josephine Baker did something outrageous: she transformed her chateau into a theme park whose main attraction was her Rainbow Tribe—12 children from around the globe, adopted as the family of the future. Matthew Pratt Guterl concludes that Baker was a serious activist, determined to make a positive difference.Trade ReviewThis book shimmers. The prose is spun gold, the ideas sparkle with intelligence, and the fun’s as high as Josephine Baker—topless in a banana skirt, her caramel skin gleaming —can take it. But in the end, it’s a tragedy… Baker bought a French castle, adopted a dozen children, and made them stand for every race and nation in the world. It went about as well as any other supersized celebrity adoption with a political agenda. But instead of reducing it to farce, Guterl shows us what it all meant… He weaves in new ways to think about identity, success, family, race, celebrity, and Baker herself. -- Jeannette Cooperman * St. Louis Magazine *Guterl is astute about the contradictions in Baker’s experiment and her celebrity, both of which rested on her capacity for reinvention. * New Yorker *Astute and readable… In many ways, this is cultural studies at its best. -- Steven Carroll * Sydney Morning Herald *A few pages into the finely worded, deeply evocative prologue, Guterl asks readers to set aside everything they know about Josephine Baker—but it’s too late, for Guterl has already begun what almost seems a fabulous fairy tale, one commandingly, colorfully told by a masterful contemporary storyteller. Rarely does an author’s voice come across as audibly as Guterl’s, in cadence and sometimes in directives to the reader, and the effect is enchanting—Baker’s story, even more so. Years after chanteuse-dancer Baker’s soaring star fell, she rose once more, this time as a relentless civil rights advocate and the adoptive mother of 12 multiracial children, the ‘Rainbow Tribe,’ whom she then raised and paraded in a theme-park-type castle, Les Milandes, in the French countryside. Here, Guterl winnows out a truth from the many fragments (in biographies, in the press, from the children themselves), positing that ‘it was an inspirational, exaggerated symbol of what was possible at the extreme end of wealth and fame, globally speaking, for anyone and everyone, no matter their skin tone or racial classification.’ A fascinating book about a magnificent woman. -- Eloise Kinney * Booklist *The persona with which Baker (1906–75) captivated the world had already been retooled once by her manager Giuseppe Pepito Abatino. Following World War II, Baker transformed herself again, this time into a universal mother presiding over a dozen children of every race on permanent display at her castle in France’s Dordogne… This work will be enjoyed by all readers. -- Jenny Brewer * Library Journal *Matthew Guterl’s astonishing Josephine Baker and the Rainbow Tribe tells the wholly unsuspected life-story of one of the twentieth-century’s most amazing visionaries. It is an engrossing biography of an extraordinary woman. -- David Levering Lewis, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning W. E. B. Du Bois, 1868–1919 and W. E. B. Du Bois, 1919–1963

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Mesmerising . . . an extraordinary piece of writing.'' - The i paper''A book that has the rare quality of being both poetic and accessible . . . missing Delicacy would be a huge mistake.'' - Guardian''A book that gets wiser, darker, and more brutally truthful every time you turn the page. Word of mouth is slowly turning it into a passionately recommended cult hit. A book you give a friend in trouble.'' - Caitlin Moran''Hilarious . . . heartbreaking.'' - The Observer''A layer cake of truth, pain and wisdom iced with charm. I loved it.'' - Sue PerkinsFrom award-winning comedian and writer Katy Wix comes Delicacy - a different kind of memoir from an astonishing new voice. Twenty-one snapshots of a life - some staccato, raw and shocking, some expansive, meditative, and profound, underpinned with moments of startling humour that shatter the darkness - alTrade ReviewA book that gets wiser, darker, and more brutally truthful every time you turn the page. Word of mouth is slowly turning it into a passionately recommended cult hit. A book you give a friend in trouble - like a shot of whisky, or a life raft. Or, like the book suggests, cake. * Caitlin Moran *A layer cake of truth, pain and wisdom iced with charm. I loved it. * Sue Perkins *Mesmerising . . . an extraordinary piece of writing. * The i Paper *Raw, profound and relatable. * Stylist *Painfully raw and incredibly funny * Simon Amstell *A book that offers many pleasures . . . hectically funny, eloquently angry. * TLS *Heartbreaking, ridiculously clever and laugh out loud funny. One of the best books on trauma I've ever read. * Scarlett Curtis *Gentle, heartbreaking, laugh out loud funny and poetically told - an intimate memoir that stays with you * Rose Matafeo *Katy sees the world like no one else and deciphers it with extraordinary beauty. Delicacy took my breath away * Lolly Adefope *Honest, raw, profound, deeply moving and funny * Bridget Christie *Wix is such an astonishingly good writer that she makes this into an unlikely page-turner. She turns her pain into poetry: intimate, candid, exquisitely described, deftly using words rich with grace, pain and power. * Chortle *Fabulous story-telling and completely delicious writing * Cariad Lloyd *A stunning book in which darkness and light, tragedy and humour, pain and hope are all masterfully, affectingly balanced. * Liam Williams *Brilliantly original, funny and insightful. Dry and comic, but also very moving. I absolute loved Delicacy * Katy Brand *Painfully vivid . . . insightful. * Sunday Express *Deeply comforting in how relatable it is, hilarious, and moving. I felt like this book was my best friend as soon as I started reading it * Mae Martin *Brimming with graceful, charming writing - this book perfectly encapsulates so many moments we face as girls and women and I only wish I'd read it sooner * Kiri Pritchard-McLean *An exquisite and important book. Delicacy is funny and sad and beautiful * Maeve Higgins *Katy has one of the most singular and enviable minds working today (and tomorrow) * Jamie Demetriou *Wix is showing a different side to herself, not only demonstrating her talents as a gifted writer but laying bare traumatic parts of her life with an honesty and openness that might surprise fans of her TV work. * The Sunday Post *It is mesmerisingly good. * The i paper *Hilarious, heartbreaking...She's a writer with impressive range, and Delicacy is entertaining and affecting. * Observer *Mesmerising . . . an extraordinary piece of writing * The i paper *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMilton H. Greene (1922-1985), famous for his fashion photography and celebrity portraits from the golden age of Hollywood, met Marilyn Monroe on a photo shoot for Look magazine in 1953. The pair developed an instant rapport, quickly becoming close friends and ultimately business partners. In 1954, after helping her get out of her studio contract with 20th Century Fox, they created Marilyn Monroe Productions, Inc. Milton and Marilyn were much more then business partners, Marilyn became a part of the Greene family. By the time their relationship had ended in 1957, the pair had produced two feature films, in addition to more than 5,000 photographs of the iconic beauty. There was magic in Milton and Marilyn's working relationship. The trust and confidence they had in each other's capabilities was on full display in each photo. Greene passed in 1985, thinking his life's work was succumbing to the ravages of time. His eldest son, Joshua, began a journey to meticulously restore his father's legacy. A photographer himself, Joshua spent years researching ways to restore his father's photographs as well as cataloging and promoting Milton's vast body of work all over the world. As a result, Joshua established "The Archives," a company committed to the restoration and preservation of photography. After spending nearly two decades restoring his father's archive, Joshua Greene and his company are widely regarded as one of the leaders in photographic restoration and have been at the forefront of the digital imaging and large-format printing revolution. Now Joshua Greene, in conjunction with Iconic Images, presents The Essential Marilyn Monroe: Milton H. Greene, 50 Sessions. With 280 photographs, including newly scanned and restored classics, as well as images that have appeared only once in publication, Greene's Marilyn Monroe archive can finally be viewed as it was originally intended when these pictures were first produced more than 60 years ago. These classic sessions - 50 in all - cover Monroe at the height of her astonishing beauty and meteoric fame. From film-sets to the bedroom, at home and at play, Joshua has curated a lasting tribute to the work of a great photographer and his greatest muse. Poignant and powerful, joyful and stunning - these breathtaking images of an icon stand above all the rest. The Essential Marilyn Monroe: Milton H. Greene, 50 Sessions is sure to be a book that will become the platinum standard in photography monographs.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a story of dreaming big and working hard, of spectacular success and breathtaking failure, of shouted questions, and, at long last, whispered answers. With trademark wit and heart, Phil Vischer shares how God can use the death of a dream to point us toward true success.Larry. Bob. Archibald. These VeggieTales stars are the most famous vegetables you'll ever eat. Oops, meet. Their antics are known around the world. But so much of the VeggieTales story hasn't been told. In Me, Myself, and Bob, Phil Vischer, founder of Big Idea and creator of VeggieTales, gives a behind-the-scenes look at his not-so-funny journey with the loveable veggies. From famed creator to bankrupt dreamer, Vischer shares his story of trial and ultimate triumph as God inspired him with one big idea after another.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlice Faye's sweet demeanor, sultry glances, and velvety voice were her signatures. Her haunting rendition of ""You'll Never Know"" has never been surpassed by any other singer. Fans adored her in such films as Alexander's Ragtime Band, Rose of Washington Square, Tin Pan Alley, and Hello, Frisco, Hello.In the 1930s and 1940s she reigned as queen of Twentieth Century-Fox musicals. She co-starred with such legends as Shirley Temple, Tyrone Power, Carmen Miranda, and Don Ameche and was voted the number-one box-office attraction of 1940, placing ahead of Bette Davis and Myrna Loy. To a select cult of admirers, she remains a beloved star. In 1945 at the pinnacle of her career she chose to walk out on her Fox contract. This remarkable episode is unlike any other in the heyday of the big-studio system. Her daring departure from films left Fox mogul Darryl F. Zanuck and the rest of the movie industry flabbergasted. For years she had skirmished with him over her roles, her health, and her private life.After leaving Fox, Faye (1915-1998) devoted herself to her marriage to radio star Phil Harris, to motherhood, and to a second career on radio in the Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, broadcast for eight years. She happily gave up films in favor of the independence and self-esteem that she discovered in private life. She willingly freed herself of the ""star-treatment"" that debilitated so many of her contemporaries. In the 1980s she emerged as a spokeswoman for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, touring America to encourage senior citizens to make their lives more meaningful and vital.This book captures the special essence of Alice Faye, her work in film, radio, and popular music, and indeed her graceful survival beyond the silver screen.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Spirited and revealing. . . . An astute psychological profile of the man whose biting, nihilistic comedy broke so many barriers.”—John McMurtrie, San Francisco Chronicle"Trenchant and provocative."—Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post"There is no doubt that the author loves the 13 films the brothers made together, but his fascination lies with those moments when they go too far, toppling toward Samuel Beckett's 'mirthless laugh,' which laughs 'at that which is unhappy.' . . . [The book] is full of sensitive observations about Harpo's musical vocation and Groucho's uncanny greasepaint, details to propel readers back to the films. . . . You suspect Marx, frustrated doctor and unlikely pen pal of T.S. Eliot, would have appreciated being taken so seriously."—Victoria Segal, Sunday Times"A luminous delight. . . . A true page-turner and a lot of fun. [Siegel] applies his own philosophical acuity to the personal and socio-political aspects of Groucho’s life."—Shon Arieh-Lerer, Slate"A scholarly milestone in the history of professional writing on Groucho Marx."—Cineaste“Was [Groucho] serious or funny? Where did the persona stop and the real Groucho begin? Lee Seigel wrestles with these questions in his provocative and short critical biography of the man he calls the Marx Brothers’s 'central intelligence.'”—Karl Whitney, The Guardian"Delightfully perverse." —New York Times Book Review"A contentious but always stimulating addition to the surprisingly small library of Marx Bros studies."—Jewish Chronicle"As Lee Siegel’s Groucho Marx: The Comedy of Existence, a book in Yale University Press’s Jewish Lives series, makes plain, Groucho was a man who could find a cloud in every silver lining."—Jewish Review of Books“[A] forensic and well-informed analysis of the brother’s comedy through their lives . . . Siegel is good at building on finds from his extensive sources to create vivid pictures—and plausible assumptions. . . . There are plenty of unusual insights."—Jewish Renaissance“A beautiful, brilliant, and persuasive reading of Marx as crypto-nihilist. A necessary and pulse-quickening work (utterly bereft of jargon or self-seriousness), linking Aristophanes to Kafka to Beckett to Groucho to Woody Allen to Amy Schumer.”—David Shields, author of Reality Hunger“Lee Siegel’s brilliant analysis of the glorious, scary, beyond-funny humor of Groucho and his brothers made me feel as if I were watching their movies for the first time. In this hugely enjoyable and stimulating book, Siegel shows how Groucho became an impossibility: an immortal comedian.”—Ian Frazier, author of Great Plains and On the Rez

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A wickedly entertaining new memoir'' Daily MailAccording to the Daily Mail Ian Ogilvy was ''the undisputed star of 1970s TV as the dashing Simon Templar in Return Of The Saint''. The show turned him into a household name, causing him to be touted as the next James Bond. From a liberal upbringing in post-war Britain, boarding school escapades and life at RADA, Ogilvy enjoyed an acting career spanning more than fifty years, including TV show Upstairs, Downstairs and films Witchfinder General, No Sex Please: We''re British and Death Becomes Her. His story plays host to a spectacular all-star cast including Boris Karloff, Hayley Mills, Penelope Keith, Derek Nimmo, Timothy Dalton, Derek Jacobi and Meryl Streep, and Ogilvy gives a vivid account from behind the scenes of the Golden Age of television and film.Once a Saint is an amusing and unvarnished story: a tremendously endearing tale from a working actor. Trade ReviewA riotously funny account of becoming a teenage lady-killer ... wickedly entertaining new memoir * Daily Mail *Very funny and very good ... [Ogilvy's] style is effortless and his modesty uncontrived -- Simon Williams, Sunday TelegraphA tour de force -- Andrew Collins, Mail on SundayA funny, gossipy, camp-as-Christmas memoir ... as droll an autobiography as you could wish for - full of fantastic stories you might very nearly believe -- Markus Berkmann

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlice Howell (1886-1961) is slowly gaining recognition and regard as arguably the most important slapstick comedienne of the silent era. This new study, the first book-length appreciation, identifies her place in the comedy hierarchy alongside the best-known of silent comediennes, Mabel Normand.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisI Was Never Alone or Oporniki presents an original ethnographic stage play, based on fieldwork conducted in Russia with adults with disabilities. The core of the work is the script of the play itself, which is accompanied by a description of the script development process, from the research in the field to rehearsals for public performances. In a supporting essay, the author argues that both ethnography and theatre can be understood as designs for being together in unusual ways, and that both practices can be deepened by recognizing the vibrant social impact of interdependency animated by vulnerability, as identified by disability theorists and activists.Table of ContentsAbout This Book Foreword Play Script Cast of Characters Setting Time Portrait I: Vera Portrait II: Vakas Portrait III: Alina Portrait IV: Sergei Portrait V: Rudak Portrait VI: Anya Photos Ethnographer’s Essay: Rituals of Vulnerability Introduction Background a. Words for Disability b. Disability in Russia c. Defining Performance Ethnography d. Performance Ethnography and/in Anthropology Staging Disability: Interdependency and Crip Time Making I Was Never Alone or Oporniki: Origins and Writing Process Representing Russia on the North American Stage Making I Was Never Alone or Oporniki: Casting and Rehearsing Access: Disability Theatre in Practice Conclusion Afterword Appendix 1: Performance Ethnography Exercises Appendix 2: Disability Terminology Appendix 3: Russian and Soviet Historical References Appendix 4: Suggestions for Reading this Work in the Classroom Appendix 5: Prop List and Dramaturgical Note Appendix 6: An Ethic of Accommodation Appendix 7: Glossary and Pronunciation of Russian Words

Read more less

Book SynopsisGregory Doran's account of his quest to re-discover Cardenio, the lost play written by Shakespeare and John Fletcher. A thrilling act of literary detection that takes him from the Bodleian Library in Oxford, via Cervantes' Spain to the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Fully illustrated throughout, Shakespeare’s Lost Play tells a fascinating story, which, like the play itself, will engross Shakespeare buffs and theatregoers alike. Doran’s much-praised production of Cardenio for the Royal Shakespeare Company marked the culmination of years spent searching for a famously 'lost’ play co-authored by William Shakespeare. In this book, Doran takes us with him on his quest to unearth every extant clue and then into the rehearsal room as he pieces together a play unseen since its first performance in 1613. The result, as the Guardian attested, is ‘an extraordinary and theatrically powerful piece, one that should both please audiences and keep academic scholars in work for years’.Trade Review'Part detective story, part lively summary of the historic research and theatrical processes involved in resurrecting a lost play... It is one of the pleasures of Shakespeare's Lost Play that the reader picks up an education in a whole range of topics' * Around the Globe magazine *'Throughout Doran is a charming and invariably helpful guide... Furthermore, he successfully communicates his passion for the theatre and enables the reader to understand the wealth of labour that lies behind a complicated production' * Times Literary Supplement *'Reading this book is like entering a marvellous emporium... the delight is in the detail.... endlessly entertaining and informative.' * ReviewsGate.com *'Fascinating' * The Stage *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs Nick and Nora Charles in the six Thin Man movies from 1934 to 1947, the husband-and-wife team of William Powell and Myrna Loy showed that marriage didn't have to mean the end of the romantic comedy. From the comedic delight that was the initial The Thin Man through its five sequels as well as eight other films (including the Oscar-winning The Great Ziegfeld and Manhattan Melodrama), Powell and Loy were cemented in the public imagination as Hollywood's happiest married couple.In Becoming Nick and Nora, comedy writer and Hollywood historian Rob Kozlowski follows the winding path that Powell and Loy's screen personas took over their careers. Studios originally cultivated the two as villains in the silent era: Powell as a mustachioed, swashbuckling fiend and Loy as an exotic adversary. With the rise of talkies, the two managed to broaden their range beyond villainous stereotypes, but it took several false starts before they achieved their lasting legacy as Nick and Nora. Packe

Read more less

Book SynopsisInstant New York Times bestsellerThe long-awaited first work of nonfiction from the author of the #1New York TimesbestsellingOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood: a deliriously entertaining, wickedly intelligent cinema book as unique and creative as anything by Quentin Tarantino.In addition to being among the most celebrated of contemporary filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino is possibly the most joyously infectious movie lover alive.For years he has touted in interviews his eventual turn to writing books about films.Now, with Cinema Speculation, the time has come, and the results are everything his passionate fans?and all movie lovers?could have hoped for.Organized around key American films from the 1970s, all of which he first saw as a young moviegoer at the time,this book is as intellectually rigorous and insightful as it is rollicking and entertaining.At once film criticism, film theory, a feat of reporting, and wonderful personal history, it is all written in the singular voice recognizable immediately as QT?s and with the rare perspective about cinema possible only from one of the greatest practitioners of the artform ever.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPaperback edition of one of the most important books on Marilyn Monroe ever written

Read more less

Book SynopsisMrs Jordan''s Profession is the acclaimed biography of Dora Jordan by bestselling author Claire Tomalin''Intelligent, finely made and wonderfully readable. As gripping as the best fiction'' Independent on Sunday Acclaimed as the greatest comic actress of her day, Dora Jordan lived a quite different role off-stage as lover to Prince William, third son of George III. Unmarried, the pair lived in a villa on the Thames and had ten children together until William, under pressure from royal advisers, abandoned her. The story of how Dora moved between the worlds of the eighteenth-century theatre and happy domesticity, of her fights for her family and her career makes a classic story of royal perfidy and female courage.From the acclaimed author of Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self, Charles Dickens: A Life and The Invisible Woman, this celebrated biography is one of history''s most astonishing untold stories.''The strangest and mos

Read more less

Book SynopsisHugo Vickers' books include Alice, Princess Andrew of Greece; Gladys, Duchess of Marlborough; Cecil Beaton; Vivien Leigh; Loving Garbo; Royal Orders; The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; and The Kiss, which won the 1996 Stern Silver Pen for Non-fiction.Trade ReviewHugely ambitious... Vickers's triumph has been to weave the lives of three bisexual, egotistical monsters into an utterly enthralling narrative. -- Sheridan Morley * Sunday Times *This enticing book... is wonderful. * Observer *Immensely entertaining. -- Alexander Walker * Evening Standard *

Read more less

Book SynopsisYou may be a student, or just starting out in the theatre profession, or an actor contemplating a switch to directing, or anyone dreaming of a life in the theatre. Know this: by developing and sharpening your skills on a Shakespeare text, you will be preparing yourself for your next production whatever or wherever that might be. Practical, inspirational and steeped in the wisdom and expertise of one of the great Shakespearean directors of our age, How to Direct Shakespeare guides you through each step of a production, from conception to final presentation to an audience. It includes close analysis of the text and provides strategies for focusing on the main action and structure; it considers dramatic energy and the world of the play, and illuminates these with examples drawn from a variety of Shakespeare''s plays. It will assist you with creating your vision for the production as you collaborate with the design team, cast the play and work with actors in rehearsal. And it walks Trade ReviewHow to Direct Shakespeare is a 'must have' book for ALL directors- experienced and aspiring! Adrian Noble shares his vast experience and leads the reader through the whole journey of directing Shakespeare’s plays from the preparation through all stages of rehearsal leading up to the opening night. It's a wonderful companion to his How to Do Shakespeare for actors. However his guidance can be used for directing any plays as it gives a wonderful insight into a director's process. Invaluable. * Sir David Suchet CBE FRSA *To be in rehearsal of a Shakespeare play with Adrian Noble is a gift to any actor. He is, quite simply, a brilliant director, and now in How to Direct Shakespeare, he guides us through every step of his directorial process with perfect precision and infinite generosity. Hugely informative and insightful, this book is an invaluable asset to any actor or director. * Sinéad Cusack *Adrian Noble and I were contemporaries at the Drama Centre in the early seventies. In 1978, he asked me to play Titus Andronicus at the Bristol Old Vic; it was my first Shakespeare - and his. For me it was like climbing a particularly craggy mountain, but from the first day it was clear that Adrian had a direct line through to the play, its world and, especially, its author, and if I managed it at all, it was largely due to him. In this indispensable book, he shares that extraordinary understanding and connection with anyone who wants to direct Shakespeare, with crystal clarity and a fund of insights both practical and penetrating. Above all, he makes it clear that to stage Shakespeare, directors have to bring their entire being to the work; nothing less will do. * simon callow *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements and thanks List of Illustrations Introduction Chapter 1: You Chapter 2: Him Chapter 3: The Director and the text Part 1: The World (Who’s Who) Part 2: Reading the Play Part 3: Analysing the Play Part 4: Entering Shakespeare’s World Chapter 4: Awayday One; Dramatic Energy (How does he do it?) 1: Apposition 2: Metaphor 3: Metre and Pulse 4: Line Endings 5: Word Play 6: Vocabulary 7: Shape and Structure Chapter 5: Let’s Design it! The Eye To Start: 1: Wall of Ideas 2: Read the Play 3: Analyse 4: Brainstorm The Model A Methodology Space The mechanics Floors Entrances Axes Walls The Skeleton of the Play The Journey and two Casebooks Playtime “In the Round” Thrust Technology (How to get from A to B) Colour, Texture and Decoration Storyboard Show and Tell Costume and the Actor Working with Lighting Designers Chapter 6: Design (The Ear) Music and Sound Chapter 7: Casting the Play 1. The Actor’s World 2. Do I Cast the Part or the Actor? 3. The Process 4. Putting it Together Chapter 8: Awayday Two: Stanislavski and Actioning Chapter 9: To Cut or Not to Cut Length Shape Choice of Edition Chapter 10: The Rehearsal Plan The Traditional Way Basic Aims of Rehearsal Making a Plan Chapter 11: Rehearsing the Play; the Beginning The Rehearsal Room Stage Management An Approach to Day One of Rehearsals Chapter 12: Awayday Three: Improvisation 1. Building a Company 2. Building a Character 3. Developing Relationships and Exploring the World of the Play 4. Exploring Scenes and Situations without using the text Chapter 13: Rehearsing the Play: End of the Beginning Work on Language Work on Character Chapter 14: Rehearsing the Play: Middle Aims for Middle Section of Rehearsals Examples from Romeo and Juliet “The Tank” Blocking Blocking Large Scale Scenes Second Pass at Scenes What to do if your Actors get Inhibited or Stuck Chapter 15: Rehearsing the Play: End First Run Through: How does it Work? How to give your Notes Second and Third Run Throughs Preparing for the Theatre Chapter 16: The “Tech”, “Dress”, Previews and Opening 1. The Tech; How to set up a Tech and how to run a Tech 2. The Dress 3. Curtain Calls 4. Previews 5. Opening Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn 29 September 1981, Peter Turner received a phone call that would change his life. His former lover, Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame, had collapsed in a Lancaster hotel and was refusing medical attention. He had no choice but to take her into his chaotic and often eccentric family's home in Liverpool. Liverpool born and bred, Turner had first set eyes on Grahame when he was a young actor, living in London. Best known for her portrayal of irresistible femme fatales in films such as The Big Heat, Oklahoma and The Bad and the Beautiful, for which she won an Oscar, Grahame electrified audiences with her steely expressions and heavy lidded eyes and the heroines she bought to life were often dark and dangerous. Turner and Grahame became firm friends and remained so ever after their love affair had ended. And it was to him she turned in her final hour of need.Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is an affectionate, moving and wryly humorous memoir of friendship, love and stardom.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisI adored this book. It's so Geena and so inspiring and such a wonderful read' Emma Thompson A Times Film and Theatre Book of the Year 2022From two-time Academy Award winner and screen icon Geena Davis, Dying of Politeness is the candid, surprising tale of her journey from her epically polite childhood to the roles that put her in the spotlight and gave her the strength to become a powerhouse in Hollywood.At three years old, Geena announced she was going to be in movies. Now, with a slew of iconic roles and awards under her belt, she has surpassed her childhood dream, but her journey has been one of fits and starts, with a pothole or two along the way.In this hilarious memoir, Geena regales us with tales of a career playing everything from an amnesiac assassin to the parent of a rodent in Stuart Little; a soap star in her underwear to a housewife turned road warrior in Thelma & Louise; a baseball phenomenon in A League of Their Own to the first female President of the United States in CTrade Review Praise for Dying of Politeness: ‘Candid, self-deprecating and vastly entertaining…. Davis’s frank appraisal of her psychological and physical merits, and demerits, is not only disarming, but likely to strike a chord with many of her readers’ The Times, Peter Sheridan ‘Her combination of humour and self-deprecation is immediately appealing’ The Observer, BOOK OF THE DAY ‘A marvellous memoir… an endearing and inspiring account of one “offbeat” woman finding her own voice… I’m often bored by the second half of celebrity memoirs, but Davis’s just keeps building momentum. It’s a real-life feel-good movie, in which the downtrodden heroine finds her power. She guards her privacy without ever getting pompous or dull. If you want to know about the pimples on Brad Pitt’s bum, then she’ll spill. If you want to know how she conceived her kids at 47? Back off, that’s her business… I closed her book with the firm conviction that she’s the celebrity I’d most like to hang out with’ Daily Telegraph ‘Entertaining… After decades of silently seething, Thelma & Louise star Geena Davis lifts the lid on Hollywood sexism’ Daily Express ‘The book’s a blast… it really is a supremely jolly read’ The Times, Polly Vernon 'Brilliant… read it cover to cover. Absolutely awesome'Chris Evans ‘Davis is truly inspiring, and her book is warm and relatable’ Woman’s Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *The long-awaited return of the comedy national treasure*

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisI don''t pretend to be an ordinary housewife. So said Elizabeth Taylor, and therein lay her secret.From her days as a youthful minx at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to her post-studio reign as America''s lustiest middle-aged movie queen, Taylor has defined the very essence of Hollywood stardom. Marching through the decades swathed in mink, discarding husbands nearly as frequently as she changed her diamond necklaces, Taylor dominated the headlines as no other star before or since. From America''s sweetheart to America''s homewrecker and then back again, she uncannily reflected (and at times predicted) the always shifting cultural zeitgeist. How to Be a Movie Star is a different kind of book about Elizabeth Taylor: an intimate look at a girl who grew up with fame, who learned early - and well - how to be famous.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStaging the cultural history of India between the 1940s and 2000s, and featuring a galaxy of artists and actors as the dramatis personaeâ including M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, Akbar Padamsee, Gieve Patel, Nissim Ezekiel, Alyque Padamsee, Girish Karnad, Manohar Singh, Vijaya Mehta, Kusum Haidar and Gerson da Cunha.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohn GielgudTrade Review‘A testimony to Gyles Brandreth’s talent … Avoiding the usual tedious cradle-to-grave narrative, Brandreth braids Gielgud’s own reminiscences with those from friends and colleagues. What sets this apart from the usual kind of puff is Brandreth’s own voice, directing our responses to Gielgud’s art.’ – Kathryn Hughes, Daily Telegraph‘Full of personal detail … a treasure trove of anecdote but also clear and informative … Brandreth’s immaculate, charming and deceptively modest book … fascinating.’ – Carole Woddis, Glasgow Herald‘Cometh the hour, cometh the biography.’ – Stratford-upon-Avon Herald

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Stand-Up while Sitting Down Years...Jo Brand tells the story of how she crawled to fame and fortune, managed to persuade someone to marry her and had some children at an age when she should have been in a bath chair on the seafront. In this second volume of her memoirs, Jo recounts wild times on the comedy circuit, the attempts to tart her up for the TV screen, running the marathon, rally driving, her numerous, occasionally extremely inebriated, Edinburgh festival appearances, her ''acting'' career, and much, much more.Jo Brand is one of our best-loved comedians, according to a quote she made up. This memoir is full of hard-won wisdom, hilarity and her views on life, laughs, friendships and all the good and bad things in the world. If she was Prime Minister, the country would be in even more of a mess than it is.

Read more less

Book Synopsis This thorough critical study of Chaplin''s films traces his acting career chronologically, from his initial appearance in 1914''s Making a Living to his final starring role in 1957''s A King in New York. Emphasizing Chaplin''s technique and the steady evolution of his Tramp character, the author frames the biographical details of Chaplin''s life within the context of his acting and filmmaking career, giving special attention to the films Chaplin directed/produced.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA moving and surprisingly funny memoir about finding the right balance between anger and compassion“Why aren’t you angry?” people often asked Martin Moran after he told his story of how he came to forgive the man who sexually abused him as a boy. At first, the question pissed him off. Then, it began to haunt him. Why didn’t he have more anger? Why had he never sought redress for the crime committed against him? Was his fury hidden, buried? Was he not man enough? Here he was, an adult in mid-life, with an established acting career, a husband. A life. And yet the question of rage began to obsess him.As the narrative jumps from dream to memory to theory, from Colorado to New York to Johannesburg, Moran takes us along on his quest to understand the role of rage in our lives. Translating for an asylum seeker and survivor of torture, he wonders how the man is not consumed with the wrong done him, only to shortly thereafter find himself in a wild

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 'Pom-Poms Up!, From Puberty to the Pythons and beyond, the British born, American raised and RADA trained actress reveals her life, loves and laughs as the 'Glamorous PYTHON GIRL' who famously kept her cool and a straight face in the heat of the humour generated by Cleese, Palin, Jones, Gilliam and the late Chapman, The 'MONTY' Pythons.Trade Review"Fascinating insights into a fascinating woman." TERRY JONES "Good stuff! Carol's remembered much more than I have and it's a jolly nice read...it's really her voice." TERRY GILLIAM "This is a wonderful roller coaster ride through the world of television and films. Carol is a good storyteller with a great story to tell." MICHAEL PALIN 'Seventh Python' reveals all Monty Python's 'seventh member', Carol Cleveland, is to write her memoirs, entitled Pom Poms Up!, to coincide with the comedy troupe's sell-out comeback gigs this summer. Still glamorous at 72, Carol was the only permanently featured female performer with the line-up, appearing in 30 of the 45 Flying Circus television episodes and all four films. As well as her Python work, Cleveland appeared in more than 30 other films, 55 TV shows and 85 theatre roles, as well as a variety of BBC radio shows - all of which she promises to cover in her book. She was also directed by Charlie Chaplin in the 1967 film comedy The Countess From Hong Kong starring Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren. Carol says: 'As much as Python has been wonderful for me, in another respect it has been a bit of a ball and chain simply because I'm known for that.' Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2550729/RICHARD-KAY-Designer-does-bunk-Sir-Brucies-wifes-cash.html#ixzz2sLonBDzo Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis''I can''t recommend it highly enough'' STEPHEN FRY ''Everyone needs to hear his voice'' MARK HADDONI''m a man on a mission to show that life with Down syndrome can be exciting and is worth living, so that other people understand and give us the chance to live life to the full and to be fulfilled.Tommy Jessop''s acting career spans Line of Duty, multi-award winning roles in short films, various roles on television and the stage. From his emotional role in the hit BBC series, to playing Hamlet on stage, and through his campaigning, Tommy has created real change. He has been at the vanguard of bringing awareness of the need for opportunities and the real potential of people living with Down syndrome to the media, the general public and to government.A Life Worth Living is Tommy''s story and Tommy''s philosophy in his own words. This uplifting read will resonate with anyone who is facing a challenge and has been especially highly praised by families and friends of people living with Down syndrome who find it immensely encouraging.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStand-up comedian and Chloe of the television series 24, Mary Lynn Rajskub shares her debut collection of hilarious essays and endearing missteps on the road to becoming FAME-ISH. It’s not easy being kind of famous. Fortune. Younger men. Exclusive invites. Being mistaken for different actresses who are slightly prettier and more famous than you. It’s all part of the gig, and Mary Lynn Rajskub is a pro. Hilarious and self-deprecating, FAME-ISH is Mary Lynn Rajskub’s debut collection of riotously funny essays. Smart, satirical, and relatable, this book gives new meaning to the word icon as Rajskub navigates the entertainment world against the backdrop of her own quirky idiosyncrasies. She describes what it’s like to make out with Tom Cruise, be a waitress at Denny’s, and find your life’s purpose in 300 indecipherable, not-easy steps—all in a day’s work. Rajskub is honest abou

Read more less

Book SynopsisCompleted before he died, thirty years ago, this is the newly discovered autobiography of one of the most influential comedians of recent times, Marty Feldman. Marty Feldman was one of the most essential creative forces in British comedy embodied also by his close friends and creative partners from Beyond the Fringe (especially Peter Cook and Dudley Moore) and Monty Python (especially John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle).Marty played the fool, often very happily and with tremendous talent and volcanic, anarchic energy, for his entire life. Marty finished, and set aside eYE Marty soon before travelling to Mexico to shoot his final film. He did not know that he would die there, although he certainly felt he might die soon, and was haunted by the notion. The book is exactly as Feldman wrote it, with even the photos inserted where Feldman had noted they should go. Hilarious, deeply charming, aphoristic, ironic, charged throughout with lust forTrade ReviewHe was a pioneer of comedy who inspired pioneers of comedy, a hero to my comedy heroes. * Sarah Silverman *No one has ever made me laugh as hard as Marty Feldman in Young Frankenstein, he was pure comic perfection. * Judd Apatow *He was totally unique. Like something out of mythology. But funny. * Martin Sheen *A fascinating insight into the mind of Feldman for weirdos everywhere. Long live this comic genius. * John C. Reilly *The only thing more wonderful than this book is actually watching Marty Feldman perform. Both thrill me. * Jeff Garlin *This is a warm and engaging memorial. * The Sunday Times *Feldman's life...is extraordinary...Another early Feldman sketch finds Cleese in a railway compartment irritated unto violence by the inane interruptions of his fellow passenger, a wing-collared Marty. In the end, Feldman simply disappears, but his voice persists. This too is a prophetic metaphor for Feldman - his early death, his lingering influence and, yes, his genius. * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe actress, activist, and once infamous Playboy Playmate reclaims the narrative of her life in a memoir that defies expectation in both content and approach, blending searing prose with snippets of original poetry.Trade ReviewA revelatory and fascinating dive beyond the usual bimbo clichés -- Alexander Larman * The Spectator *Pamela Anderson tackles her journey from small-town girl to one of the icons of the 90s, terrorised by the LA paparazzi who were obsessed with her personal life . . . this is a chance for her to tell her story in her own way. * Stylist *Reveals the woman behind the iconic image in this intimate and well-written journey of self-discovery, uncovering the layers that make up her complicated past and sharing her lifelong thirst for knowledge. Anderson fully takes control of her own story, addressing the salacious aspects but also sharing inspiring tales of survival, motherhood, and activism. * Library Journal *A page-turner . . . throughout her account of this kooky, messed-up, enviable, and often thrilling life, her humility . . . never fails her. * Kirkus *This pensive and free-spirited narrative reflects both Anderson's naivete and her wild spirit. * Publishers Weekly *The most disappointing thing about Love, Pamela is that it doesn't come in a form that can be injected directly into your viens . . . Dazzling. * The New York Times *The iconic Anderson uses a mixture of poetry and prose to present an impressionistic view of a fascinating life . . . the book paints a picture of a wild spirit, a proud mother, and a seeker that will draw in fans and those who have misunderstood this complicated woman. * Booklist, starred review *Anderson reveals the woman behind the iconic image in this intimate and well-written journey of self-discovery, uncovering the layers that make up her complicated past and sharing her lifelong thirst for knowledge. Anderson fully takes control of her own story, addressing the salacious aspects but also sharing inspiring tales of survival, motherhood, and activism. * Library Journal *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?!' He has yet to encounter an obstacle he couldn't overcome. He's the WWE legend as eight-time champion, he's outlasted being buried up to his neck in a desert (The Scorpion King), battled the giant Tamatoa (Moana), ruthless mercenaries (Jumanji), and murderous racers (the Fast and Furious series) all thanks to his motivation and drive.Do you want to learn how to do the same? Then get inspired with this uplifting collection of quotes from the man himself on success, wrestling, fitness, family and more.What else can we say, except, you're welcome?!

Read more less

Book Synopsis'An engrossing, enthralling and utterly captivating read, The Young Pretender tells a simply remarkable story with bounce, energy, wit, and lively authenticity . . . Michael Arditti's brilliant imaginative achievement offers high comedy, dark tragedy and everything between' STEPHEN FRYMobbed by the masses, lionised by the aristocracy, courted by royalty and lusted after by patrons of both sexes, the child actor William Henry West Betty was one of the most famous people in Georgian Britain.At the age of thirteen, he played leading roles, including Romeo, Macbeth and Richard III, in theatres across the country. Prime Minister William Pitt adjourned the House of Commons so that its members could attend his debut as Hamlet at Covent Garden. Then, as rivals turned on him and scandal engulfed him, he suffered a fall as merciless as his rise had been meteoric.The Young Pretender takes place during Betty's attempted comeback at the age of twenty-one. As he seeks to relaunch his career, he is forced to confront the painful truths behind his boyhood triumphs. Michael Arditti's revelatory new novel puts this long forgotten figure back in the limelight. In addition to its rich and poignant portrait of Betty himself, it offers an engrossing insight into both the theatre and society of the age. The nature of celebrity, the power of publicity and the cult of youth are laid bare in a story that is more pertinent now than ever.'Michael Arditti is a writer who takes risks. His material is always compelling and provocative, his techniques sophisticated and oblique' PATRICIA DUNCKER, Independent on Sunday 'Arditti is a master storyteller' PETER STANFORD, Observer Trade ReviewThe Young Pretender is an absolute joy - charming and funny, with the lightest hint of melancholy, and a wonderfully imaginative recreation of the Georgian theatre scene -- Kate SaundersMichael Arditti tells a story of a Regency child star with great panache and compassion, bringing a forgotten celebrity back to life for the modern age. A compelling read I was sad to finish. -- Linda GrantAn engrossing, enthralling and utterly captivating read, The Young Pretender tells a simply remarkable story with bounce, energy, wit, and lively authenticity . . . Michael Arditti's brilliant imaginative achievement offers high comedy, dark tragedy and everything between * Stephen Fry *The Young Pretender is just wonderful: so delicate and precise about performance, pretence and youth, with such a feeling for Georgian London. It's so well-written, I found myself admiring it from end to end. * Andrew O'Hagan *Entrancing and disturbing . . . A moving story and Michael Arditti tells it with understanding and engaging sympathy . . . A rich social picture -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *The Young Pretender is a scintillating departure [from Arditti's previous work], bringing to life the vanished world of the Georgian theatre with great skill. -- Suzy Feay * Financial Times *Arditti's voice as Betty is impeccable. He is touchy, sometimes myopic, sincere in his ambitions. His attempts to reclaim lost glory are run through with an affecting melancholy. -- Antonia Senior * The Times (Best New Historical Fiction) *The Young Pretender is an absolute joy - charming and funny, with the lightest hint of melancholy, and a wonderfully imaginative recreation of the Georgian theatre sceneMichael Arditti tells a story of a Regency child star with great panache and compassion, bringing a forgotten celebrity back to life for the modern age. A compelling read I was sad to finish.The Young Pretender is a scintillating departure [from Arditti's previous work], bringing to life the vanished world of the Georgian theatre with great skill. * Financial Times *Persuasively told in the actor's voice, this short, compelling novel records the crumbling of Betty's dreams of renewed acclaim and his slow acknowledgment of uncomfortable truths about his childhood stardom. -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *The first-person narrative endears, as Arditti blends tragedy and comedy. There won't be a dry eye in the house. -- Rose Shepherd * Saga Magazine *A vivid, highly detailed portrait of life in rumbustious Regency London -- Anthony Gardner * Mail on Sunday *One of the best novels about the theatre I have ever read. Arditti brilliantly captures the feverish adulation of Master Betty, the financial exploitation of his fame and the sexual curiosity his presence aroused. This is also a novel about the transience of celebrity, the capricious bustle of Georgian London and the politics of theatre. I would recommend the novel not just to theatre addicts but to anyone intrigued by the whirligig of time. -- Michael Billington

Read more less

Book SynopsisA nostalgic look back at the exciting teen music and dance craze of the 50s through the classic hits era of the60s, 70s, and 80s. Twin Destinies tells the story of Pete and Mike Pappas, the twin sons of Greek immigrants who defied predictions of failure and worked their way to the top of the broadcasting business in the exciting and glamorous classic hits era of 1950s radio and television. Pete and Mike pitched the idea for a show dedicated to teens, Pete and Mikes Dance Time, in their hometown of Modesto, California, and, due to their talent and charismatic personalities, quickly found themselves local celebrities. Soon the twins entered the burgeoning television industry with their own half-hour program, Pete and Mikes Variety Show, airing on KTVU in Stockton. Fame followed Pete and Mike even after they enlisted in the military. While in the service, bags of fan mail arrived weekly, and love letters from fans followed them wherever they were based. After returning from the service, Pete and Mikes strong, loving bond as identical twins found them pursuing broadcasting careers and living their lives together, overcoming obstacles in the business world and achieving the success their immigrant parents had dreamed would one day be theirs. Twin Destinies is a story of hard work, perseverance, and the love between twin brothers that was the foundation of their American success story.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisRuth Bowers had a dream of becoming a professional violinist. In 1910, when traditional careers for women included nursing or teaching, Ruth joined the chautauqua and lyceum tour circuit and hit the road. In the first part of the twentieth century, these popular tours brought music, education and entertainment to millions of people in rural North America. But chautauquas and lyceums also provided employment and fame for many female lecturers and performers. At a time when women did not even have the right to vote, musicians like Ruth Bowers were travelling, becoming financially independent and expanding ideas of what women could do-they were part of the first wave of the women''s liberation of the twentieth century. A remarkably talented violinist from Erie, Pennsylvania, Ruth Bowers performed at venues across North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and from Texas to British Columbia. Ruth shared the bill with famous people like orator William Jennings Bryan, illusionist Eugene Laurant and impersonator Elma B. Smith. While on tour, Bowers collected photographs, postcards and memorabilia and sent letters home. Using this material from his family archives, along with newspaper articles from the 1900s and research files from the chautauqua collection at the University of Iowa, author-historian Jay Sherwood pieces together the unique life of his grandmother. With over 125 previously unpublished photographs and images, CHAUTAUQUA SERENADE offers readers a backstage pass to the iconic chautauqua tour through the eyes of a young woman with a big dream.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less