Theatre studies Books
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC A Dolls House
Book SynopsisThis revised Student Edition of Ibsen's popular play contains introductory commentary and notes by Sophie Duncan, which offer a contemporary lens on the play's gender politics and consider seminal productions and adaptations of the play into the 21st century. As well as the complete text of the play itself, this new Methuen Drama Student Edition includes a: Chronology of the play and Ibsen's life and work Discussion of the social, political, cultural and economic context in which the play was originally conceived and created Overview of the creation processes followed and performance history of the play, including recent performances such as a 2012 short film adaptation and a stage adaptation set in colonial Calcutta. Analysis of some of the major themes and specific issues addressed by the play, such as whether it's a feminist play and its author a feminist Bibliography of suggested primary and secondary materials for further study IbseTrade ReviewIbsen's great feminist drama * Daily Telegraph *Many a husband reeled back in horror after the premiere of Ibsen's marriage-shaking play in 1879. The fellow was actually challenging the sacred values of family life by suggesting a woman could break free of the marital gilded cage. What next? They will want the vote. * Daily Express *Ibsen's drama is a powerful statement of his radical beliefs about gender, the folly of idealism and the nature of modern love. In essence, it is the story of woman who wakes up to reality. * Evening Standard *Ibsen caused a storm with the notion that women were as entitled as men to think and live for themselves. * Jewish Chronicle *Table of ContentsThe introduction and commentary to the play covers: Cultural and theatrical contexts Themes Dramatic devices Performance history Trends in scholarly and popular debate
£10.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC A Streetcar Named Desire
Book SynopsisThis revised Student Edition includes an introduction by Bess Rowen, Visiting Assistant Professor at Villanova University, US, which looks in particular at the play''s treatment of rape, vulnerable people, mental institutions (especially in connection to Williams''s own family), sexuality and sexual desire.A Streetcar Named Desire shows a turbulent confrontation between traditional values in the American South - an old-world graciousness and beauty running decoratively to seed - set against the rough-edged, aggressive materialism of the new world. Through the vividly characterised figures of Southern belle Blanche Dubois, seeking refuge from physical ugliness in decayed gentility, and her brutal brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski, Tennessee Williams dramatises his sense of the South''s past as still active and often destructive in modern America.METHUEN DRAMA STUDENT EDITIONS are expertly annotated texts of a wide range of plays from the modern and classic repertoires. A well as thTable of ContentsChronology Introduction Cultural Context: The United States in the 1940s The Glass Menagerie and the Beginning of an Era Williams and the Writing Process Realism, Naturalism, and Expressionism Method Acting and Elia Kazan Depicting Rape and Vulnerability Sex and Sexuality Production History and Adaptations Further Reading A Streetcar Named Desire Notes
£9.99
Penguin Putnam Inc Working on a Song
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Pluto Press Theatre of the Oppressed
Book SynopsisA classic Pluto book published for our 50th anniversary. The book that started a revolution in modern theatre by providing forums through which to imagine and enact social and political change.Theatre of the Oppressed started a new form of theatre which is still practised today. It has been translated into 25 languages and sold over 20,000 copies.Trade Review'An affable intellectual and an effervescent teacher, [Boal] was a theatrical Johnny Appleseed who spent his later years spreading his doctrines of the theater as a land of equal opportunity for professionals and nonprofessionals alike' -- The New York Times 'Oppression, according to Augusto Boal, is when one person is dominated by the monologue of another and has no chance to reply. Boal's life is devoted to giving those who are in this one-down position the tools with which to express themselves and discover a way out of their powerlessness' -- The Harvard Gazette '[His] achievement is so remarkable, so original and so ground-breaking that I have no hesitation in describing the book as the most important theoretical work on the theatre in modern times' -- George Wellwarth, author of Modern Drama and the Death of God 'Should be read by everyone in the world of theatre who has any pretensions at all to political commitment' -- John Arden, playwright 'Boal's terrific energy came from his faith in the creativity, spontaneity and ability of all people, however underprivileged, to change their situation' -- The GuardianTable of ContentsPreface to 2008 edition Preface to 2000 edition Preface to 1974 edition 1. Aristotle's Coercive System of Tragedy 2. Machiavelli and the Poetics of Virtu 3. Hegel and Brecht: The Character as Subject or the Character as Object? 4. Poetics of the Oppressed 5. Development of the Arena Theater of Sao Paulo Appendices Index
£15.29
Little, Brown Book Group Hamilton The Revolution
Book SynopsisWinner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for DramaNow a major motion picture, available on Disney Plus.Goodreads best non-fiction book of 2016From Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist-star Lin-Manuel Miranda comes a backstage pass to his groundbreaking, hit musical Hamilton.Lin-Manuel Miranda''s groundbreaking musical Hamilton is as revolutionary as its subject, the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution, and helped to found the United States. Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B, and the best traditions of theater, this once-in-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap, and claims the origins of the United States for a diverse new generation.HAMILTON: THE REVOLUTION gives readers an unprecedented view of both revolutions, from the only two writers able to provide it. Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artTrade ReviewIt is a magnificent book, unlike any previous book about a play * Chicago Tribune *The best piece of art in any form that I have ever seen in my life -- Michelle Obama, on Hamilton
£36.00
Hachette Book Group USA Wicked
Book Synopsis
£30.00
Manchester University Press The False One
Book SynopsisThis is the first fully annotated, single-volume critical edition of Fletcher and Massinger's The False One, with an introduction that offers new insights on the date and the theatre of the play's first performance, freshly examines its sources and explores the theatrical potential of a play that has hitherto been lost to the dramatic repertory. -- .
£23.75
Abrams Creating Back to the Future The Musical
Book SynopsisThe official behind-the-scenes companion to the stage musical adaptation of Back to the Future; includes the complete lyrics to all original songs! This essential companion to the stage show will bring back fond memories for those who’ve seen it and prepare new fans who haven’t for the greatest musical of all time! Welcome to Hill Valley! Creating Back to the Future The Musical offers fans of the film franchise and lovers of musical theater an engrossing and entertaining look at the birth of a new theatrical classic that adapts the timeless film for the stage. With unprecedented access to cast and crew, author Michael Klastorin (Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History) shares exclusive, in-depth interviews and previously unpublished photography. His account reveals and details the years-long process, creative ingenuity, and technical innovation that went into the show’s Manchester tryout aTrade Review“This lavish celebration tells its journey to New York City, from the early out-of-town tryouts and the dreams of the West End upended by the COVID pandemic, to, finally, its huge success. The songs, the sets . . . and the support of director Robert Zemeckis and the movies’ storied cast are all captured here.” * Broadway World *“If you’re a fan of Back to the Future or musical theater in general, it’s definitely worth a read. It’s a warts-and-all account rather than a rosy, 'everything went perfectly' fairy tale, which leads me to believe the musical is a true creative endeavor.” * Times-Georgian *
£24.00
Currency Press Pty Ltd Opening a Fuzzwollops Frame of Mind
Book SynopsisA delightfully funny absurdist play that explores the nature of humanity and our fear of the unknown.
£7.59
Christian Publishers LLC Everything About Theatre: The Guidebook of
Book Synopsis
£16.79
Nick Hern Books Drama Menu: Theatre Games in Three Courses
Book SynopsisDrama Menu is a brand new concept for planning and delivering dynamic, progressive drama lessons and workshops. Packed with over 150 tried-and-tested theatre games, exercises and improvisation ideas, it’s an essential resource for any drama teacher or workshop leader – guaranteed to deliver delicious drama sessions every time. Simply make a selection from each of the three courses, and your whole drama session will come to life with new-found energy and focus: Appetisers are fast-paced warm-up exercises to energise and enthuse the group; Starters are the intermediary course to challenge the players and encourage creativity; Main Courses provide the central part of the session, culminating in a final performance piece; And a few Desserts are also provided, if you have some space at the end of your session for something sweet. Drama Menu is the recipe book that will relieve the stress of planning lessons and workshops. Now you can get on with what you do best: delivering creative drama sessions that will have your groups hungry for more. Join the online Drama Menu community, browse and share other recommended menus, and download a comprehensive Resource Pack and selection of sound effects, providing everything you need to start playing straight away.Trade Review'Well organised and easy to use… a useful and relevant tool for anyone involved with facilitating drama sessions' * Drama Magazine *'An essential resource for anyone teaching drama to children of all ages... with catchy titles, clear numbering and individual exercise summaries, Drama Menu is an easily accessible, flexible and creative resource useful for any dramatic platform. A must have for all teachers wanting to give their students the very best!' * Word Matters *'Easy to navigate... definitely something for everyone... a really useful collection' * Teaching Drama *'Ideal... [the author's] knowledge and experience are apparent in his writing and this book will provide a great deal of varied and inspiring material for sessions with secondary-aged or older students, although many activities could be used with or adapted for younger age-groups' * Drama Resource *'Unbelievably useful... every reader will find something new and of absolute hands-on usefulness... Drama Menu will become your companion' * ReviewsGate.com *
£15.29
Hal Leonard Corporation tick tick ... BOOM!: The Complete Book and Lyrics
Book SynopsisBefore the revolutionary rock musical ÊRentÊ Jonathan Larson had another story to tell... his own. Êtick tick ... BOOM!Ê is a three-chapter pop rock musical about facing crossroads in life and holding on to your dreams that was first produced off Broadway in 2001. It tells the story of young Jonathan a promising young composer on the eve of his 30th birthday. His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city (ÊtickÊ); his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue (ÊtickÊ); and he's still waiting tables and trying to write the great American musical before time and life passes him by (ÊBOOM!Ê).Trade Review"An intimate and emotionally revealing look at the breakthrough talent that paved the way for a new generation of Broadway composers." - Phillip Brandes, Los Angeles Times"
£10.79
Taylor & Francis Ltd Sound Systems Design and Optimization
Book SynopsisSound Systems: Design and Optimization provides an accessible and unique perspective on the behavior of sound systems in the practical world. The third edition reflects current trends in the audio field thereby providing readers with the newest methodologies and techniques. In this greatly expanded new edition, youâll find clearer explanations, a more streamlined organization, increased coverage of current technologies and comprehensive case studies of the authorâs award-winning work in the field. As the only book devoted exclusively to modern tools and techniques in this emerging field, Sound Systems: Design and Optimization provides the specialized guidance needed to perfect your design skills. This book helps you: Improve your design and optimization decisions by understanding how audiences perceive reinforced sound Use modern analyzers and prediction programs to select speaker placement, equalization, delay and Table of ContentsSection 1:Sound Systems 1 Foundation 2 Classification 3 Transmission 4 Summation 5 Perception Section 2: Design 6 Evaluation 7 Prediction 8 Variation 9 Combination 10 Cancellation 11 Specification Section 3: Optimization 12 Examination 13 Verification 14 Calibration 15 Application
£77.89
Faber & Faber 1599 A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare
Book SynopsisWinner of the Baillie Gifford Prize and the Baillie Gifford ''Winner of Winners'' award in 2023How did Shakespeare go from being a talented poet and playwright to become one of the greatest writers who ever lived? In this one exhilarating year we follow what he reads and writes, what he saw and who he worked with as he invests in the new Globe theatre and creates four of his most famous plays - Henry V, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, and, most remarkably, Hamlet.This book brings the news, intrigue and flavour of the times together with wonderful detail about how Shakespeare worked as an actor, businessman and playwright, to create an exceptionally immediate and gripping account of an inspiring moment in history.A brilliant study, which carefully unpacks a single year in Shakespeare''s life ... The audacious focus on just one year pays off magnificently.' Sunday TimesA far richer, more intimate portrait of our greatest author than you''re likely to find in any cradle-to-grave biography.' Daily MailGripping and illuminating.' TelegraphA fascinating and entirely believable portrait of a talented workaholic ... Shapiro''s informed enthusiasm and energetic prose is addictive.'' GuardianTrade Review"'One of the few genuinely original biographies of Shakespeare.' Jonathan Bate, Sunday Telegraph"
£13.49
Last Gasp,U.S. The Book of the Un
Book Synopsis
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Revengers Tragedy
Book SynopsisA major new edition of this much studied play offering the standard, depth and range associated with all Arden editions. The on-page commentary notes explain the language, referenes and staging issues posed by the text while the lengthy, illustrated introduction offers a lively overview of the play''s historical, performance and critical contexts. This is the ideal edition for study and performance.Table of ContentsIntroduction - The Revenger's Tragedy - Appendices - Biblography - Index
£15.19
Andrews McMeel Publishing Hamilton 2025 DaytoDay Calendar
Book Synopsis
£13.99
Rowman & Littlefield Experiments in Listening
Book SynopsisThrough an exploration of both practice and theory, this book investigates the relationship between listening and the theatrical encounter in the context of Western theatre and performance. Rather than looking to the stage for a politics or ethics of performance, Rajni Shah asks what work needs to happen in order for the stage itself to appear, exploring some of the factors that might allow or prevent a group of individuals to gather together as an ‘audience’. Shah proposes that the theatrical encounter is a structure that prioritises the attentive over the declarative; each of the five chapters is an exploration of this proposition. The first two chapters propose readings for the terms ‘listening’ and ‘audience’, drawing primarily on Gemma Corradi Fiumara’s writing about the philosophy of listening and Stanley Cavell’s writing about being-in-audience. The third chapter reflects on the work of Lying Fallow, the first of two practice elements which were part of this research, asking whether and how this project aligns with the modes of listening that I have proposed thus far, and introducing Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s writing about the preposition ‘beside’ in relation to being-in-audience. In the fourth chapter, I examine the role of invitation in setting up the parameters for being-in-audience, in relation to Sara Ahmed’s writing about arrival and encounter. And in the final chapter the second practice element, Experiments in Listening, operates to expand our thinking about where and how the work of being-in-audience takes place.Blending the boundaries of theoretical, creative and practice-based artistic work, this book is accompanied by a series of five zines. These describe an embodied experience of knowledge from a personal perspective, both playfully and seriously following a line of enquiry developed in each of the chapters.Trade ReviewExperiments in Listening is a critical, caring, poetic and generous gift to scholars invested in epistemic undoings of Euro-colonial conceptualisations of ‘theatre’ and ‘performance’. In this beautifully written book, Shah offers a philosophical recalibration of our fields by enabling readers to enter a mode of listening – an attentiveness to words, worlds and actions – through a ‘commitment to not-knowing’. By compellingly centring hitherto marginalised voices, perspectives and practices, the book demands a recognition of performance-making as a process through which iterative, non-linear and embodied knowledge-systems live and breathe. -- Royona Mitra, reader in dance and performance cultures, Brunel University LondonTable of ContentsAn Introduction0.1. Influences0.2. Contexts and key terms0.3. How to read this bookChapter One: ListeningPrelude1.1. Root structures1.2. Constructing listening1.3. Accommodating othernessChapter Two: AudiencePrelude2.1. Doing nothing2.2. Performing silence2.3. The choreography of attentionChapter Three: GatheringPrelude3.1. Theatre without a show3.2. Resisting visibility3.3. Failing to declare oneselfChapter Four: InvitationPrelude4.1. How we arrive4.2. The invitational frame4.3. An appropriate responseChapter Five: EncounterPrelude5.1. Experiments in Listening5.2. Listening to form5.3. Being in audience to listening5.4. Passing as friendsConclusionAppendix 1: Lying FallowAppendix 2: Experiments in ListeningBibliographyIndex
£41.59
Cengage Learning, Inc Interpersonal Communication
Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPart I: THE FABRIC OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION. 1. A First Look at Interpersonal Communication. 2. Communication and Personal Identity. 3. Perception and Communication. 4. The World of Words. 5. The World Beyond Words. 6. Mindful Listening. Part II: WEAVING COMMUNICATION INTO RELATIONSHIPS. 7. Emotions and Communication. 8. Communication Climate: The Foundation of Personal Relationships. 9. Managing Conflict in Relationships. 10. Friendships in Our Lives. 11. Committed Romantic Relationships. 12. Communication in Families. Epilogue: Continuing the Conversation. Glossary. References. Index.
£68.39
Penguin Books Ltd Shakespeare
Book SynopsisA LOVE LETTER TO 67 YEARS OF ACTING ON STAGE - THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA witty, insightful journey through the plays and tales of our beloved ShakespeareWonderfully inspiring. A delightful spell in the company of one of our greatest actresses' Daily Mail, Books of the YearGloriously entertaining. Reading it feels like a chat with an old friend' ObserverA magical love letter to Shakespeare' Kenneth Branagh----For the very first time, Judi Dench opens up about every Shakespearean role she has played in her seven-decade career, from Lady Macbeth and Titania to Ophelia and Cleopatra.Here, she reveals her behind the scenes secrets; inviting us to share in her triumphs, disasters, and backstage shenanigans, all brightened by her mischievous sense of humour and striking honesty.This is Judi''s love letter to William Shakespeare the man who pays the rent.----Praise for The Man Who Pays the Rent''This book is pure enchantment' Daily Mail''This is a gloriously entertaining tour through the canon in the company of perhaps the most experienced living Shakespearean actor'' Observer''An utterly delightful book. An unstoppable stream of anecdotes, recollections and asides'' TelegraphCompanionable and compelling, mischievous and convivial it genuinely feels like you're sitting at her kitchen table with Judi Dench' GuardianGorgeous' Literary ReviewA wonderful mixture of appreciation and anecdote' Financial Times, Books of the YearInstant Sunday Times bestseller, November 2023
£10.44
Nick Hern Books Drama Menu: Second Helpings: Another 160 Tasty
Book Synopsis160 all-new games and exercises from the author of the bestselling companion for drama teachers and workshop leaders, offering more than one million unique and tasty combinations, ready to be put into action! Simply make a selection from each of the four complementary courses, and your whole drama session will come to life with clarity, intensity and focus: Appetisers are fast-paced warm-up exercises to energise and enthuse; Starters are the intermediary course to challenge and kickstart creativity; Main Courses provide the central part of the session, culminating in a final performance piece; Desserts are there for when you have space at the end of your session for something sweet. Every exercise has been devised, tested and selected for its ability to ignite creativity and develop the performing potential of each player. There's also a downloadable Resource Pack stuffed with a huge range of new stimuli to engage your students and encourage deeper participation. Drama Menu: Second Helpings has everything you need to spice up your sessions with a variety of new challenges that will invigorate and inspire your students, and ensure that every session is fresh, dynamic and relevant. Bon appétit! Praise for Drama Menu: 'An easily accessible, flexible and creative resource useful for any dramatic platform. A must-have for all teachers wanting to give their students the very best!' Word Matters 'Easy to navigate... definitely something for everyone... a really useful collection' Teaching Drama 'Ideal... will provide a great deal of varied and inspiring material for drama sessions' Drama Resource 'Unbelievably useful... every reader will find something new and of absolute hands-on usefulness... Drama Menu will become your companion' ReviewsGate.comTrade Review'An excellent way to have a ready-made session to pull off the shelf... This book is well worth adding to your exercises and activities collection, helpful to those new to teaching drama, as well as those more experienced practitioners' * Drama & Theatre Magazine *
£15.29
Canongate Books Not My Father's Son: A Family Memoir
Book SynopsisDISCOVER THE NEW MEMOIR FROM ALAN CUMMING. BAGGAGE: TALES FROM A FULLY PACKED LIFE PUBLISHES 28 OCT '21'One of the most memorable, heart-stopping autobiographies I have ever read' STEPHEN FRYWINNER OF THE SLIGHTLY FOXED BEST FIRST BIOGRAPHY PRIZE 2015THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERATTITUDE MAGAZINE'S BOOK OF THE YEARA beloved star of stage and screen, Alan Cumming's life and career have been shaped by a complex and dark family past - full of troubled memories, kept buried away. But then an unexpected phone call from his long-estranged father brought the pain of the past hurtling back into the present, and unravelled everything he thought he knew about himself. Not My Father's Son is the story of his journey of discovery, both a memoir of his childhood in Scotland, and an investigation into his family history which would change him forever.'Equal parts memoir, whodunnit and manual for living . . . beautifully written, honest . . . I was completely sucked in' NEIL GAIMANTrade ReviewEqual parts memoir, whodunnit and manual for living, Not My Father's Son is a beautifully written, honest look at the forces of blood and bone that make us what we are, and how we make ourselves. I was completely sucked in -- NEIL GAIMANWhat a shattering, compelling and extraordinary story Alan Cumming has to tell. And he does so with such style and grace . . . Beautifully and cunningly structured, Not My Father's Son is one of the most memorable, heart-stopping autobiographies I have ever read -- STEPHEN FRYDo you know the old line "I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me"? Alan Cumming's moving memoir Not My Father's Son is all that and more. This is a beautiful book-sad, funny, haunting, surprising, suspenseful, gut-wrenching, endearing. It will linger inside of you long after you turn the final page -- HARLAN COBEN * * author of New York Times bestsellers MISSING YOU and SIX YEARS * *In beautiful, honest, arresting prose, he offers a tale you'll never forget. A real diamond of a book. -- ANDREW O'HAGANIncredibly affecting -- DAMIAN BARR, Books of the Year * * Herald * *A poignant chronicle of damage sustained in youth and his recovery -- MARIELLA FROSTRUP * * Observer * *Powerful . . . the result is both heart-breaking and brave . . . A thoroughly gripping read, one that keeps its biggest revelation until the very end * * Sunday Times * *Moving * * Observer * *You'll like him a lot . . . Compelling * * Evening Standard * *A clear-eyed, often moving account of both his terrifying childhood and his recent attempts to come to terms with his past [. . .] Not My Father's Son moves elegantly and with an occasional dash of humour between Cumming's childhood and the revelations of the more recent past [. . .] memorable * * Chicago Tribune * *One of the most fun people in show business * * Time * *Cumming's eccentric style and assured voice shine brightly on every page, while escorting readers and fans on a memorable journey that is simultaneously insightful, brave, moving, and witty * * Book List * *Not My Father's Son shows Cumming to be a particularly skilled storyteller. His personal story is spun out in a thrillingly mysterious way . . . in this deeply touching memoir, Cumming has certainly marked himself out as one of our bravest and most perceptive writers, and an unexpected literary talent * * The List * *Powerful and shocking . . . That he can write isn't a surprise . . . He delves into his own history and leaves no stone unturned, no dark corner unprodded . . . What Cumming knows better than most is that you can never tell from the surface what's going on beneath * * Scotland on Sunday * *An open and honest memoir with some extraordinary twists * * Easyjet Traveller * *Powerful * * Big Issue * *Compelling . . . a frank, twisting book . . . a page-turner * * Metro * *A brave and thoughtful book * * Spectator * *Cumming's bravery is breathtaking . . . this is a brave book, airing fundamental agonies of the human condition with as light a touch as is possibly possible * * Sunday Express * *Best of all, [Not My Father's Son's] emotional intelligence is high * * Glasgow Sunday Herald * *Cumming is a good writer and keeps us guessing . . . the book grips like a neo-noir thriller . . . He knits together the various strands of his life with remarkable assurance. The occasional flashes of lightness in the dark, the few, very few, happy times with his father glow like embers, only to be extinguished by the overwhelming memory of the dark beast that kept him in a constant state of terror . . . What might have been a misery memoir is anything but. The bracing honesty and humour plus the fact that there is not a scintilla of self-pity makes this a tremendously encouraging book * * Daily Express * *This year's best memoir * * The List * *A haunting family history woven with empathy for his soldier grandfather but without a trace of self-pity about his abusive father * * Independent on Sunday, Best Memoirs of 2014 * *A brilliantly vivid and heartrending account of Cumming's early life, interspersed with some well-observed, comic and intriguing scenes from his more recent past * * Sunday Business Post * *A great read * * Connaught Telegraph * *Cumming's unsurprising gift for drama never overwhelms the realities of the damage done, nor his joyous determination to crush bad memories by living a good life * * Guardian * *With a completely captivating style, Cumming cleverly interfaces events from his past with the present * * Broadway World * *Gripping, well-composed and moving, this memoir is impossible to put down and remains with you well beyond the last page * * Pride Life * *This is such a great book: a memoir written with style and depth * * Sunday Business Post * *I very seldom cry but Alan Cumming's Not My Father's Son took me pretty close . . . Reads with the intensity of great fiction even though it's true -- IAN RANKIN * * Mail on Sunday * *Alan's powerful story is one which stays with the reader long after the final page has been read * * Attitude * *
£10.44
Hal Leonard Corporation The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Book SynopsisTheatre
£10.18
Rowman & Littlefield Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major
Book SynopsisFrom his early work as lyricist for West Side Story to acclaimed creations such as A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, and Sweeney Todd, Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as the most important figure in musical theater since the second half of the 20th century. Who better to discuss this prolific artist’s work than the master himself? Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions is a collection of interviews conducted by Mark Eden Horowitz, senior music specialist in the music division of the Library of Congress. In these guided conversations, Sondheim expounds in great depth and detail on his craft. As a natural teacher, thoughtful and opinionated, Sondheim discusses the art of musical composition, lyric writing, the collaborative process of musical theater, and how he thinks about his own work. The entire scope of Sondheim’s career is covered here, in which Sondheim’s greatest works are discussed—from Passion, Assassins, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, and Pacific Overtures to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Merrily We Roll Along, Company, Follies, Anyone Can Whistle, and A Little Night Music. Sondheim even provides thoughts about the film adaptations of his works, such as Sweeney Todd. The book also features an entire chapter on Bounce, the previous incarnation of his latest musical, Road Show. Preserving the essential elements of the previous volumes, this edition includes all of the interviews—verbatim—and features a revised introduction and a postlude with an additional conversation. Finally in paperback, Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions, The Less Is More Edition is a must-have for fans of these creative genius.Trade ReviewI've learned so much from the work of Stephen Sondheim, and in this book, others interested in the craft of musical theatre composition, whether as professionals or fans, will find a myriad of lessons and inspirations. -- Stephen Schwartz, composer/lyricist, Wicked; GodspellIndispensable for any student, writer, or ardent fan of drama and musical theater. It puts the reader in the room with one of our greatest American masters. -- Jeanine Tesori, composer of Caroline, or Change and Fun HomeHorowitz has managed to relax Sondheim into loquacity, technical generosity, and humour far more than most, perhaps all, of his predecessors (and there have been many); they exude an unusual sense of well-being, for which Horowitz must be credited with extraordinary skill and amenability. -- Stephen Banfield * The Musical Times *Any with a curiosity about the musical theatre of the past half century or a passing interest in the creative process behind it will find gems here. The real meat of the book is in free-ranging discussions of Sondheim’s choices, tastes, and reflections on music and theater throughout and beyond his own career. -- Rob Kendt, Backstage WestMark Horowitz reveals the compositional process of Stephen Sondheim through a fascinating series of conversations with the composer. It is thrilling to discover the intimate details of how these classic songs, scores, and shows were created. Utterly captivating and illuminating. -- Stephen Flaherty, Tony Award-winning composer of Ragtime, Once On This Island, and SeussicalOne of the finest books focusing on [Sondheim's] work. * Playbill *In these remarkable dialogues Mark Horowitz has elicited cogent, illuminating insights into the creative process from Stephen Sondheim, the ever-astonishing titan of the musical stage. -- Robert Kimball, Musical theatre historian and artistic advisor to the estates of Cole Porter and Ira GershwinSondheim devotees will be forever grateful to Library of Congress music specialist Mark Horowitz for the interviews he conducted with Sondheim. -- Chip Brown * Smithsonian Magazine *An excellent companion work to the esteemed composer's book. Horowitz skillfully balances his technical content, serving both the needs of the music student and the theatre enthusiast. * Bay Stages *A provocative, illuminating portrait of a creative powerhouse. * Baltimore Sun *Recommended for libraries with a prominent emphasis on music. * Library Journal *For musicians, Horowitz's book is a treasure trove of self-revelation from the most significant living composer for the American musical theatre. * International Record Review *What sets this milestone work apart from other texts on Sondheim or other interviews with the composer is the fine balance between broad and specific questions. The broader questions can be understood and enjoyed by any audience, since they deal very generally with Sondheim's thoughts and opinions about theatre. On the other hand, the specific questions provide an outstanding, first person source for scholars of music and theatre in particular, with pointed discussions on the musical scores, and a rare view of Sondheim's own compositional sketches. * Studies In Musical Theatre *Mr. Sondheim was interviewed on stage by Mark Eden Horowitz, whose essential book, Sondheim on Music, offers in-depth discussions with the composer. * The New York Times *
£23.84
Taylor & Francis Ltd Stays and Corsets
Book SynopsisStays and Corsets: Historical Patterns Translated for the Modern Body goes a step beyond traditional historical costuming texts by not only providing you with historical pattern diagrams and information, but by showing you how to adapt these patterns to the contemporary body shape. Using her original pattern-drafting system, author Mandy Barrington will show you how to draft a historical pattern for a modern body shape, while still retaining an accurate historical silhouette.Each pattern has been generated from an original stay, corset, or pattern taken from a historical garment. The instructions to follow these new patterns are designed to accommodate any size of female figure, allowing you to avoid extremely difficult, time consuming, and inaccurate historical pattern re-sizing Requiring only basic prior knowledge of pattern drafting, all calculations have been worked out for the costume maker and are provided in simple tables accompanied by easy-to-read, step-by-step diagrams that clearly show how the historical pattern is plotted onto the female basic block, coupled with photographs of the constructed stays and corsets.Table of ContentsIntroduction How to use this book Guidance on the pattern drafting process A guide to finding the measurements for your historical pattern Pattern Drafting Tools Female Measurements Taking Accurate Measurements Female Measurement Form Female Measurements Guide Standard Female Measurements The Female Basic Block Pattern Female Basic Block Instructions Preparing the Female Basic Block for your Historic Pattern Historical Patterns Introduction1735-50 Fully-boned Corset Bodice1776 Half-boned Stays 1785-88 Half-boned Stays1793 Fully-boned Short Stays 1820 White Cotton Corset1860 Closed Front Corset1875 Corded and Quilted Corset1890 Riding Corset1890 Wasp-waist CorsetGlossaryCostume collectionsSuppliers Further ReadingCreditsAcknowledgements?
£40.84
Hal Leonard Corporation Rent: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the
Book SynopsisFinally an authorized libretto to this modern day classic! ÊRentÊ won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as four Tony Awards including Best Musical Best Book and Best Score for Jonathan Larson. The story of Mark Roger Maureen Tom Collins Angel Mimi JoAnne and their friends on the Lower East Side of New York City will live on along with the affirmation that there is no day but today. Includes 16 color photographs of productions of ÊRentÊ from around the world plus an introduction ( Rent Is Real ) by Victoria Leacock Hoffman.
£12.34
Bloomsbury Academic Song of the Season
Book Synopsis
£23.74
Macmillan Learning Bedford Companion to Shakespeare
Book SynopsisProviding a unique combination of well-written, up-to-date background information and intriguing selections from primary documents, The Bedford Companion to Shakespeare introduces students to the topics most important to the study of Shakespeare in their full historical and cultural context. This new edition contains many new documents, particularly by women and other marginalized voices from the early modern period. There is also a new chapter on Shakespeare in performance, which introduces students to the great variety of productions of Shakespeare''s works over the centuries.
£31.34
Amsterdam University Press Mime Handbook: A Handbook for Mime Corporel
Book SynopsisThe Mime Handbook covers the theory of mime corporel (Corporeal Mime) and explains the technique through dozens of clearly illustrated exercises. It provides an overview of the work and life of Etienne Decroux (1889-1991), founder of the ‘mime corporel’ and father of modern mime. Building onto Decroux’s mime corporel, additional concepts are introduced on the use of space in physical theater and the creation of mime performances. Mime corporel is a physical theater technique that has revolutionized the physical expression for actors, dancers, and mime players. The philosophy of Etienne Decroux has permanently influenced approaches to performance, the use of space and the study of movement composition in the theater. The Mime Handbook is intended for anyone who creates, studies, or teaches physical theater. Directors, actors, dancers, mime players, and performance artists will discover fundamental ideas and techniques that will enrich their work. You can download page 88 of the book here.
£35.14
Orion Publishing Co Maggie Smith
Book Synopsis''Coveney is the only writer who could get under Smith''s skin, capturing her steeliness and vulnerability'' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAYFrom her days as a star of West End comedy and revue, Dame Maggie''s path has led to international renown and numerous accolades including two Academy Awards. Recently she has been as prominent on our screens as ever, with high-profile roles as the formidable Dowager Countess of Grantham in DOWNTON ABBEY, as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the HARRY POTTER movie franchise and as the eccentric Miss Shepherd in the film version of THE LADY IN THE VAN by Alan Bennett. Paradoxically she remains an enigmatic figure, rarely appearing in public and carefully guarding her considerable talent. Drawing on personal archives, interviews and encounters with the actress, as well as conversations with immediate family and dear friends, Michael Coveney''s biography is a captivating portrait of the real Maggie Smith.Trade ReviewFrom early days in the theatre to Miss Jean Brodie and Downton's formidable Dowager, Maggie Smith has endeared herself to millions. This engaging and fascinating biography reveals the life and career of one of our finest actresses * WOMAN & HOME *Dame Maggie Smith - now 81 - is a national treasure, her unforgettable asperity a delight in every role ... [Coveney's] knowledgeable, elegant biography examines the qualities of the woman in the spotlight ... But he also gently probes Smith's closely guarded privacy, with revealing anecdotes from friends, fellow thespians and Smith's sons, the actors Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens -- Jane Shilling * DAILY MAIL *A satisfying read ... [P]leasantly gossipy and a very valuable addition to the history of British theatre -- Mary McEvoy * IRISH INDEPENDENT *[A] solid and admiring portrait of a beloved actor's craft and career -- Patricia Nicol * INDEPENDENT *Michael Coveney's affectionate [biography] provides the best account we are likely to get of this reserved grand dame, who surely stands alone in having her 'witty' elbows and wrists so often singled out for praise * EVENING STANDARD, Books of the Year *The conundrum of what Smith does haunts Coveney's Maggie Smith: A Biography, on a brilliant journey from Shakespeare's Viola to J.K. Rowling's Professor McGonagall. Coveney's admiration is never in doubt, being of a rare critical type that cares for the actor's craft with infectious enthusiasm -- Michael Joseph Chance * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Coveney has written a magnificent book that beautifully illuminates the talent and the irreducible personality of a great artist -- Peter Craven * THE AUSTRALIAN *Inspiring stuff - BOOK OF THE WEEK * NEW magazine *BOOK OF THE WEEK * DAILY MAIL *[A] revealing biography of the sublime life and loves of Maggie Smith -- Gerald Isaaman * CAMDEN NEW JOURNAL *Wonderful insight into the life of a wonderful actress - READERS' CHOICE FOR BEST MEMOIR OF THE YEAR * WOMAN & HOME *Michael Coveney isn't afraid to elucidate on her reputation for being difficult, but there's much more here, from a revelatory Hedda Gabler to The Lady In The Van. Coveney is the only writer who could get under Smith's skin, capturing her steeliness and vulnerability. -- Christopher Fowler * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY, Cinema Books of the Year *Steeped in theatre history, and with full cooperation from Smith; her husband, actor Beverley Cross; family and colleagues, including her close friend Judi Dench, Coveney seamlessly melds Smith's personal and professional lives into an engrossing narrative ... An authoritative and perceptive portrait. * KIRKUS REVIEWS *Coveney enticingly lists and quotes from her most remarkable roles, and forbears to intrude on Smith's determinedly private life. Hers is a fascinating story, a true swan hatched from the unlikely nest of a dour Methodist accountant mother and a lab technician father who moved to Oxford during the war. -- Christina Hardyment * THE TIMES *
£11.69
Cambridge University Press Antigone Interrupted
Book SynopsisAntigone, Interrupted explores the intertwined history of law, politics, gender and humanism through a new reading of Sophocles' classical tragedy. Studying the play in its fifth-century and modern contexts, Bonnie Honig argues for an Antigone committed not just to dissidence but to a positive politics of counter-sovereignty and solidarity.Trade Review'Honig's sweeping consideration of how the 'Antigone' is read and misread offers us a new way to approach the pauses, the ellipses, and the frank interruptions that punctuate this classic text. We have all struggled so hard to make the words mean in this or that way that we have perhaps forgotten the more dramatic features of the text in which relationships rupture, words trail off, and events still language. This book offers a trenchant analysis of sovereignty, belonging, and freedom through a perspective at once dramatic, literary, and political. Honig's sustained engagement with contemporary criticism shows how important the figure and text of Antigone is for any effort to think about the risks and the necessity of contestatory democratic culture.' Judith Butler, University of California, Berkeley'Bonnie Honig provides a stunning, capacious and intensely 'political' reanimation of the 'Antigone'.' Simon Critchley, The New School for Social Research'Many books pride themselves on being 'provocative' - but this is the real thing! Engaged and engaging, sophisticated and polemical, Antigone, Interrupted interrupts the critical mainstream with real political urgency and edge.' Simon Goldhill, King's College, Cambridge'Bonnie Honig's Antigone, Interrupted shows how central Sophocles' play is to recent and current philosophical, political, cultural, psychoanalytical and gender theory debates in Europe and the USA. The book is not primarily an analysis of these debates (though one learns a great deal about them along the way), but an attempt to make a striking intervention in them.' Craig Hannaway, Bryn Mawr Classical Review'When a leading theorist of agonistic democracy writes a book on Antigone, it seems fitting to acknowledge the accomplishment by contesting its core claims. Bonnie Honig's Antigone, Interrupted, offers much to praise and is certainly a book worth reading, contesting, and interrupting for all interested in contemporary political theory. It demonstrates the ongoing significance and contestability of Antigone, for democratic theory, feminist theory, and political thought more generally.' Paul E. Kirkland, Review of Politics'Antigone, Interrupted is a significant book. Like all of Honig's work, it is theoretically sophisticated, erudite, and engaging, furnishing both a trenchant critique of prior interpretations of Antigone and an original, provocative, and highly political revisioning of the play. In so doing, it asks significant questions not only about the political consequences and risks of privileging mortality and vulnerability as ontological facts of the human condition but also about the terms of democratic political engagement. It deserves to be widely read.' Moya Lloyd, Perspectives on Politics'Honig's book [offers] a very useful critical map of current thinking while providing a reappraisal - and 'interruption' - of all Antigones that have gone before.' Morning Star'One of the great virtues of Antigone, Interrupted (and there are many) is its systematic disruption of these, now conventional, conceptions or receptions of Antigone as an isolated, heroic figure of mourning and resistance. … Honig's readings of the text … are inventive, unexpected and, in some parts, nothing short of inspired.' Paul Muldoon, History of Political ThoughtTable of ContentsPreface; Introduction; Part I. Interruption: Introduction to Part I: 1. Tragedy, maternalism, ethics: toward an agonistic humanism; 2. 'Antigone versus Oedipus', I: feminist theory and the turn to Antigone; 3. 'Antigone versus Oedipus', II: the directors' agon in Germany in Autumn; Part II. Conspiracy: Introduction to Part II: 4. Mourning, membership, and the politics of exception: plotting Creon's conspiracy with democracy; 5. From lamentation to logos: Antigone's conspiracy with language; 6. Sacrifice, sorority, integrity: Antigone's conspiracy with Ismene; Conclusion.
£22.49
Penguin Books Ltd The Empty Space
Book SynopsisAdapted from a series of four lectures, originally delivered as the first of the Granada Northern Lectures Peter Brook''s The Empty Space is an exploration of four aspects of theatre, ''Deadly, Holy, Rough and Immediate'', published in Penguin Modern Classics.''I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage''In The Empty Space, groundbreaking director Peter Brook draws on a life in love with the stage to explore the issues facing any theatrical performance. Here he describes important developments in theatre from the last century, as well as smaller scale events, from productions by Stanislavsky to the rise of Method Acting, from Brecht''s revolutionary alienation technique to the free form Happenings of the 1960s, and from the different styles of such great Shakespearean actors as John Gielgud and Paul Scofield to a joyous impromptu performance in the burnt-out shell of the Hamburg Opera just after the war. Passionate, unconventional and fascinati
£9.49
Taylor & Francis Ltd Draping Period Costumes Classical Greek to
Book SynopsisDraping Period Costumes provides you with the skill set you need to break away from two-dimensional patterns to drape three dimensional costumes. The basics of draping are explained in precise detail, followed by step-by-step draping projects from multiple historical periods. Packed with photographs that illustrate every seam, pleat, and tuck, youâll never be lost with this comprehensive guide. -Includes information on measurements, necessary tools, and basic rules of draping -Covers costumes for both men and women - Discusses appropriate period under garments and fabric choicesLet expert draper Sharon Sobel teach you all you need to know to perfectly drape any period costume!Table of ContentsIntroduction Overview and objectivesChapter 1 Getting StartedChapter 2 Early, Unstructured GarmentsChapter 3 Cut and shaped to fitChapter 4 The Height of Artificial SilhouetteChapter 5 The Men return to softness. Chapter 6 .while the women remain tightly lacedChapter 7 The introduction of tailoring to the man's costumeChapter 8 Variety of fit in the 18th century woman's costume Chapter 9 Neoclassical eleganceChapter 10 Revolutionary menswearChapter 11 Romantic womenswearChapter 12 The Victorian gentlemanChapter 13 The Victorian lady Chapter 14 SkirtsGlossaryBibilography
£31.34
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Book of Mormon Script Book: The Complete Book
Book SynopsisThe only official companion book to the Tony Award winner for Best Musical from the creators of "South Park" and the co-creator of "Avenue Q". It features the complete script and song lyrics, with 4-color spot illustrations throughout, an original introduction by the creators, and a foreword by Mark Harris. "The Book of Mormon", which follows a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that's about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get, features book, music, and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of Comedy Central's landmark animated series South Park. Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy Avenue Q. "The Book of Mormon" is choreographed by three-time Tony Award-nominee Casey Nicholaw ("Monty Python's Spamalot", "The Drowsy Chaperone") and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker. The book includes: an original foreword by journalist Mark Harris (author of "Pictures at a Revolution"); an original introduction by the authors on the genesis of the show; a production history; and the complete book and lyrics, with four-color spot illustrations throughout.
£14.99
Universe Publishing Hamilton 2025 Wall Calendar
Book Synopsis
£11.39
She Writes Press Dancing on Coals
Book SynopsisIn Dancing on Coals, Cynthia Moore describes a multi-decade, harebrained search for love in all the wrong places, starting when her narcissistic mother abandons her to a Swiss finishing school. Devastated by her mother's betrayal, eleven-year-old Cynthia vows to become acceptable - but to whom? Seeking approval first as a madcap performance artist and then an as over-functioning therapist, our narrator is finally forced to abandon her competitive, masculine compulsivity for a genuine quest for inner truth. Ultimately, she finds her voice, develops her gifts, and discovers love, but not where she expected to find it. At times humorous and self-deprecating, at times poignant and heartbreaking, this is the story of one woman's path from abandonment to wholeness and authenticity.
£14.44
Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) 4.48 Psychosis
Book SynopsisSarah Kane was born in 1971. Her first play, Blasted, was produced at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1995. Her second play, Phaedra's Love, was produced at the Gate Theatre in 1996. In April 1998, Cleansed was produced at the Royal Court Theatre Downstairs, and in September 1998, Crave was produced by Paines Plough and Bright Ltd at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. Her last play, 4.48 Psychosis, premiered at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs in June 2000. Her short film, Skin, produced by British Screen/Channel Four, premiered in June 1997. Sarah Kane died in 1999, and is now recognised as one of the most influential voices in modern European theatre.
£14.16
Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) Pulitzer Prize Winning Musicals
Book Synopsis Kristin Stultz Pressley, PHD, is a musical theatre historian and nationally-recognized lecturer at theatres and universities. Known for a presentation style that is equal parts engaging and informative, Stultz Pressley is also an author. Her first book, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby: Dorothy Fields and Her Life in the American Musical Theater, was published by Applause Books in January of 2021. Connect with Kristin online at http://www.DrBroadway.com or via Instagram: @DrBway.
£14.24
Random House USA Inc I Was Better Last Night
Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • A poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award–winning actor and playwright, revealing never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled careerHarvey Fierstein’s legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He’s received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Cheers, La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. While he has never shied away from the spotlight, Mr. Fierstein says that even those closest to him have never heard most
£22.50
Taylor & Francis Ltd Historical Pattern Archive
Book SynopsisHistorical Pattern Archive: Women's Clothing 18371969 is the first book of its kind to capture such a wide range of women's period patterns in one book, featuring 83 patterns spanning over a century of clothing.The book offers an accurate pattern of each garment on a 1/8 graph that can be used to scale the pattern up to its original size, drawings of each piece from multiple angles, and instructions about how the original garment was constructed and what materials were used. Capturing research and information about garments that would have otherwise stayed hidden or disappeared permanently due to age, wear, or poor storage conditions, this volume is designed to be a tool to preserve history through documenting vintage clothing.Written for historians, reenactors, costumer makers, and costume designers, Historical Pattern Archive will enable readers to study the history behind each piece, implement their original techniques, and recTable of Contents1. Pre-1850 Patterns 2. 1850 Patterns 3. 1860 Patterns 4. 1870 Patterns 5. 1880 Patterns 6. 1890 Patterns 7. 1900 Patterns 8. 1910 Patterns 9. 1920 Patterns 10. 1930 Patterns 11. 1940 Patterns 12. 1950 Patterns 13. 1960 Patterns
£35.14
Nick Hern Books How Plays Work
Book SynopsisIn How Plays Work, distinguished playwright David Edgar examines the mechanisms and techniques which dramatists throughout the ages have employed to structure their plays and to express their meaning. Written for playwrights and playgoers alike, Edgar's analysis starts with the building blocks of whole plays – plot, character-creation, genre and structure – and moves on to scenes and devices. He shows how plays share a common architecture without which the uniqueness of their authors' vision would be invisible. How Plays Work is both a masterclass for playwrights and playmakers and a fascinating guide to the anatomy of drama. In this revised edition, Edgar brings the book right up to date with analyses of many recent plays, as well as explorations of emerging genres and new innovations in playwriting practice. 'A brilliantly illuminating, bang-up-to-date, unmissable read' April De Angelis 'A book of real theoretical heft written by a major working playwright' Steve Waters 'An essential accompaniment for anyone fascinated by the craft of dramatic storytelling' John Yorke 'Every theatremaker should read this book' Pippa Hill, Literary Manager, Royal Shakespeare Company 'Even if you've read the book before, it demands to be reread' Simon Callow 'Combines theoretical acumen with the assured know-how of a working dramatist' Terry Eagleton, Times Literary SupplementTrade Review'Fascinating... read it. You will learn a lot' * The Stage *'Lucid, deeply intelligent... combines theoretical acumen with the assured know-how of a working dramatist' * Terry Eagleton, TLS *
£13.49
HarperCollins Publishers Shakespeare The World as a Stage
Book SynopsisBill Bryson's biography of William Shakespeare unravels the superstitions, academic discoveries and myths surrounding the life of our greatest poet and playwright.Ever since he took the theatre of Elizabethan London by storm over 400 years ago, Shakespeare has remained centre stage. His fame stems not only from his plays performed everywhere from school halls to the world''s most illustrious theatres but also from his enigmatic persona. His face is familiar to all, yet in reality very little is known about the man behind the masterpieces.Shakespeare's life, despite the scrutiny of generations of biographers and scholars, is still a thicket of myths and traditions, some preposterous, some conflicting, arranged around the few scant facts known about the Bard from his birth in Stratford to the bequest of his second best bed to his wife when he died.Taking us on a journey through the streets of Elizabethan and Jacobean England, Bryson examines centuries of stories, half-truths and downrTrade Review'A brilliantly funny and gently insightful travel guide to 16th century England. Bryson is great at picking out of the morass of Elizabethan fact the small details that illuminate and amuse…he also uncovers from the world that surrounded the theatre some fascinating examples of Elizabethan eccentricity…As an abbreviated tour around the world of Shakespeare, this could hardly be bettered' Sunday Times 'Less a biography than a delightful account of Shakespeare's elusiveness – and the extraordinary lengths people have gone to remedy it…the pairing of Bryson with Shakespeare is a happy on.’ TLS 'Bill Bryson jogs along in his own ineffable way, good–humoured, undoctrinaire, nodding respectfully at experts but confidently following his own inclinations…he is shrewd on telling detail’ Times ‘Bill Bryson has always been able to spot a market; and there ought to be a market for his latest book…an accessible, sensible Life of Shakespeare…surely a fine gift for someone encountering Shakespeare for the first time…Bryson is shrewd…and as funny as you'd expect…he sets down all the important bits of evidence, and assesses them in a measured scholarly way. He's good value too.’ Daily Telegraph ‘Measured, sensible and, at times, as wryly humorous as you'd expect’ Times ‘Bryson uses an inimitably light touch and squeezes a vast subject down to manageable proportions…he is a warm and funny guide through the whole complicated morass of Shakespearean scholarship’ Financial Times
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Anna Ziegler Plays Two
Book SynopsisAnna Ziegler has written the plays Actually (produced at Manhattan Theatre Club, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Geffen Playhouse, Trafalgar Studios and others; L.A. Ovation Award winner for Playwriting for an Original Play), the widely produced Photograph 51 (directed on the West End by Michael Grandage and starring Nicole Kidman; WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play; named the number one play of 2019 by the Chicago Tribune and in other years selected as a Best of the Year play by The Washington Post and The Telegraph), Boy (Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award nominee), The Wanderers (The Old Globe; upcoming at The Roundabout Theatre Company; Craig Noel Award winner for Outstanding New Play), The Last Match (Roundabout Theatre Company; The Old Globe; upcoming: Writers' Theatre, Chicago), and A Delicate Ship (New York Times Critic's Pick; The Playwrights Realm; Cincinnati Playhouse). Recent notable: Photograph 51 at Melbourne TTrade Review“[Ziegler’s play is] thoughtful, compassionate, funny…The playwright deftly displays the barbed and tender sides of [the central characters’] relationship…But “The Wanderers” is about more than bittersweet relationships and coping with the past; it’s about the human tendency to be chronically dissatisfied. Confused and yearning, Esther wonders, “Who really understands whether or not they are happy?” * Washington Post on 'The Wanderers' *“The world premiere of “The Great Moment” at Seattle Rep is touching, clever, relatable, and enchanting.” * Seattle Pockets on 'The Great Moment' *Effortlessly gripping….funny and aching in all the right spots….it’s a good one, and splendidly played * Washington Post on Another Way Home *“…[A] taut, devastating play… a smart, profoundly painful exploration of [a] murky, treacherous sexual culture… Actually’s great strength, and its great heartbreak, is that it allows us to see both Amber and Tom so fully…Actually’s wit and its intelligence are part of what makes the complex darkness at its center hit so hard. There is brightness in this play, and in these people, and to see its sparks overwhelmed by such fearful and familiar shadows is shattering. In moments, it’s even revelatory.” * New York Magazine on 'Actually' *Table of ContentsIntroduction by the author The Wanderers The Great Moment Another Way Home Actually
£21.21
Bloomsbury Academic The Theatre and its Double
Book SynopsisIn The Theatre and Its Double, first published in 1938, Antonin Artaud puts forward his radical theories on drama and theatre, which he saw as being stifled by conservatism and a lack of experimentation.Containing the famous manifestos of the Theatre of Cruelty', this collection of essays analyses the underlying impulses of performance, provides suggestions on a physical-training method for actors, and features a long appreciation of the expressive values of Eastern dance drama.This new English translation of Artaud''s canonical text by Mark Taylor-Batty retains the idiosyncratic nature of the author''s writing, communicating its fervour and ambition, while achieving a much-needed clarity.Through doing so, it facilitates a fuller appreciation of Artaud's artistic objectives and the original context in which they grew, aided by a newly translated set of his notes and drafts, and a selection of letters to his publisher, friends and associates concerning
£18.59
Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) Broadway Nation
Book SynopsisDavid Armstrong is the writer, producer, and host of Broadway Nation the popular podcast that tells the remarkable story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African Americans, Women, and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical and how they changed America in the process. With more than 100 episodes to date, Broadway Nation has reached an audience of more than 135,000 listeners. This podcast was inspired by the popular large lecture course (100 students each quarter) that Armstrong teaches at the University of Washington School of Drama which is titled 'The Broadway Musical'. During his 40-year career Armstrong has worked as a director, producer, playwright, and choreographer at leading theatre companies across America as well as off and on Broadway. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle where from 2000 to 2018 he served as Artistic Director & Executive Producer. During his tenure The 5th produced 19 new musicals, nine of which subsequently moved to Broadway including Disney's Aladdin, A Christmas Story - The Musical, and the Tony Award winning Best Musicals Hairspray and Memphis.
£27.54
Nick Hern Books Drama Games for Clowning and Physical Comedy
Book SynopsisA dip-in, flick-through, quick-fire resource book, part of the bestselling Drama Games series, offering 80 games and exercises to explore the fundamental concepts of clowning and physical comedy, encourage playfulness, curiosity and collaboration, and help develop performance material.
£11.69
Taylor & Francis Ltd You the Choreographer
Book SynopsisYOU, THE CHOREOGRAPHER, Creating and Crafting Dance offers a synthesis of histories, theories, philosophies, and creative practices across diverse genres of concert dance choreography. The book is designed for readers at every stage of creative development who seek to refine their artistic sensibility.Through a review of major milestones in the field, including contributions to choreography from the humanities, arts, and modern sciences, readers will gain new perspectives on the historical development of choreography. Concise analyses of traditional fundamentals and innovative practices of dance construction, artistic research methods, and approaches to artistic collaboration offer readers new tools to build creative habits and expand their choreographic proficiencies.For learners and educators, this is a textbook. For emerging professionals, it is a professional-development tool. For established professionals, it is a companion handbook that reinvigorates insTrade Review"…a lovely and useful resource for anyone interested in the timeless art of choreography." — Christopher Wheeldon, The Royal Ballet, UK"…a cumulative reference for understanding the craft of choreography." — Hans van Manen, Dutch National Ballet, The Netherlands"…a practical guide to a supremely impractical endeavor: dancemaking." — Septime Webre, Hong Kong Ballet, Hong Kong"…inspiration to finding your individuality as a choreographer." — Jennifer Archibald, Cincinnati Ballet, and Faculty, Yale School of Drama, USA"…a meticulous and thoughtful handbook for anyone interested in choreography." — Neil Ieremia, Black Grace, New Zealand "…advice on how to begin, which is the most important part of the work." — Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Choreographer, The Netherlands "…an elegantly composed and comprehensive companion book with techniques of dance making." — Amelia Rudolph, BANDALOOP, USA"…a thoroughly researched manual to understanding choreographic skills." — Pontus Lidberg, Danish Dance Theatre, Denmark "…an opportunity for emerging choreographers to study the rules so they can stretch the rules." — Yuanyuan Wang, Beijing Dance Theater, China"…insight into the complexities of the creative process and a roadmap for direction." — Rafael Bonachela, Sydney Dance Company, Australia"…dance helps you to discover yourself and this book helps you discover how." — David Dawson, Dutch National Ballet, The Netherlands, and Semperoper Ballett, Germany"…a compass to explore choreography and direct dance." — Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Ballet of the Grand Théâtre de Genève, Switzerland, and Eastman, BelgiumTable of ContentsPart 1: Time Travel – Choreographing Through the Ages 1: Stone Age: The Dawn of Dance – Choreographing Ritual 2. Ancient Age: Gods and Muses in Motion – Choreographing Art 3. Medieval Age: Leaping into Group Identity – Choreographing Symbol 4. Renaissance and Baroque Age: Waltzing Kingdoms – Choreographing Culture 5. Industrial Age: Dancing the Self – Choreographing Expression 6. Information Age: Turning Against the Norm – Choreographing Experimentation 7. Integral Age: Conceiving Progressive Coherency – Choreographing Integration Part 2: Mind and Muscle – The Body, Intellect, and Creative Spirit 8. The Moving Body as a Work of Art – Corpus Cognitus 9. Inside the Brain of the Choreographer – Dissection of a Glorious Mind 10. Handling Perfect Imperfections – Intuitive Craftsmanship Part 3: Concept and Context – Innovation, Intentionality and Individuality 11. Inventive Creativity – In Art, Everything is Possible 12. Framing Content and Sorting Concepts – Logistics of the Unlimited 13. Choreographic Individuality and Artistic Identity – The Search for Who I Am Part 4: Form and Formlessness - Generating Movement Material 14. The Emergence of Movement – First Crawl and Walk, then Run 15. Dance Improvisation – Embracing Choreographic Adventures 16. Choreographic Phrase – Diving into the Movement Flow Part 5: Process and Progress – Developing Movement Material 17. Choreographic Devices and Operations – Growing A Dance Garden 18. Structure and Restructure, Construct and Deconstruct – Architecting A Dance 19. Physical Dramaturgy – Making A Monument Out Of Movement Part 6: Sonic Swing – Dance the Music, Music the Dance 20. Are Music And Dance Best Friends Forever? – Melody In Motion 21. Seeking, Choosing and Working with the Music – Attract and Retract 22. Dancing Silence, Noise, Soundscape and Spoken Word – Body of Sound Part 7: Picture Perfect - Venture Follows Vision 23. Nurturing Semantics – Naming a Newborn Dance and Raising a Brand 24. Think Costumes, Lights, and Scenic Design – Piecing A Production 25. A Career in Choreography – Dancing Decisions Moving Forward
£56.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Lovely Bones
Book SynopsisBryony Lavery's play Frozen won the TMA best play award, the Eileen Anderson Central Television award was produced at Birmingham Rep, then the National Theatre, then on Broadway where it was nominated for four Tony awards. Stockholm, for Frantic Assembly, won the Wolff-Whiting award for Best Play of 2008. Beautiful Burnout for The National Theatre of Scotland and Frantic Assembly received a Fringe First at Edinburgh, before productions in the UK, New York, Australia and New Zealand. Dirt was nominated for the Charles McArthur award for most outstanding play or musical of 2013, Washington DC. Recent work includes: The Believers (Frantic Assembly); Queen Coal (Sheffield Crucible); Treasure Island (National Theatre); 101 Dalmatians (Chichester Festival Theatre); Brideshead Revisited (York Theatre Royal/ETT); Our Mutual Friend (Hull Truck/City of Culture 2017) and Balls (One Year Lease/Stages Theatre - Houston and NYC). She is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature, an honorary
£13.38
