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Actor Training
by Alison HodgeActor Training expands on Alison Hodge’s highly-acclaimed and best-selling Twentieth Century Actor Training. This exciting second edition radically updates the original book making it even more valuable for any student of the history and practice of actor training. The bibliography is brought right up to date and many chapters are revised. In addition, eight more practitioners are included - and forty more photographs - to create a stunningly comprehensive study. The practitioners included are: Stella Adler; Eugenio Barba; Augusto Boal; Anne Bogart; Bertolt Brecht; Peter Brook; Michael Chekhov; Joseph Chaikin; Jacques Copeau; Philippe Gaulier; Jerzy Grotowski; Maria Knebel; Jacques Lecoq; Joan Littlewood; Sanford Meisner; Vsevolod Meyerhold; Ariane Mnouchkine; Monika Pagneux; Michel Saint-Denis; W?odzimierz Staniewski; Konstantin Stanislavsky; Lee Strasberg The historical, cultural and political context of each practitioner’s work is clearly set out by leading experts and accompanied by an incisive and enlightening analysis of the main principles of their training, practical exercises and key productions. This book is an invaluable introduction to the principles and practice of actor training and its role in shaping modern theatre.
On Directing and Dramaturgy: Burning the House
by Eugenio Barba"A theatre which is able to speak to each spectator in a different and penetrating language is not a fantastic idea, nor a utopia. This is the theatre for which many of us, directors and leaders of groups, trained for a long time....." - from the Introduction On Directing is Eugenio Barba's unprecedented account of his own life and work. This is a major retrospective of Barba's working methods, his practical techniques, and the life experiences which fed directly into his theatre-making. On Directing is an inspirational resource. It is a dramaturgy of dramaturgies, and a professional autobiography, from one of the most significant and influential directors and theorists working today. It provides unique insights into a philosophy and practice of directing for the beginning student, the experienced practitioner, and everyone in between.
On Directing and Dramaturgy: Burning the House
by Eugenio Barba"A theatre which is able to speak to each spectator in a different and penetrating language is not a fantastic idea, nor a utopia. This is the theatre for which many of us, directors and leaders of groups, trained for a long time....." - from the Introduction On Directing is Eugenio Barba's unprecedented account of his own life and work. This is a major retrospective of Barba's working methods, his practical techniques, and the life experiences which fed directly into his theatre-making. On Directing is an inspirational resource. It is a dramaturgy of dramaturgies, and a professional autobiography, from one of the most significant and influential directors and theorists working today. It provides unique insights into a philosophy and practice of directing for the beginning student, the experienced practitioner, and everyone in between.
AS Drama and Theatre Studies: The Essential Introduction for Edexcel
by Alan Perks Jacqueline PorteousAS Drama and Theatre Studies: The Essential Introduction for Edexcel is a comprehensive and accessible guide to the new specification. The textbook covers all aspects of the AS year in depth, from exploring play texts to demonstrating skills in performance and theatre design. The detailed guidance and classroom-friendly features include: overviews of specification and assessment requirements written and practical exercises tips from a Chief Examiner extension exercises to stretch the more able student worked examples to illustrate best practice a glossary of useful words and terms. Written by a Chief Examiner and a Principal Moderator, this authoritative book offers a wealth of informed and supportive exercises to ensure that students reach their maximum potential.
The Science Of Acting
by Sam Kogan Helen KoganWhat is good acting? How does one create believable characters? How can an actor understand a character if they do not understand themselves? In The Science of Acting, Sam Kogan uses his theories on the relationship between neuroscience, psychology and acting to answer these questions. Practical exercises provide a step-by-step guide to developing an actor's ability, culminating in Ten Steps to Creating a Character. He presents the reader with a groundbreaking understanding of the subconscious and how it can be applied to their acting. The author’s highly original perspective on Stanislavski's teaching gives readers a unique insight into their character’s minds. Sam Kogan studied at the Moscow Institute of Theatre Arts (now the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts) under the tutelage of Professor Maria Knebel. He established The Science of Acting, a complete stand-alone technique. Helen Kogan is the chair and former principal of The Academy of Science of Acting and Directing, has helped to shape her father's words and work for the publication of this book.
Style For Actors 2nd Edition: A Handbook for Moving Beyond Realism
by Robert Barton"Style is a journey from tourist to native. It is living in the world of the play, not just visiting it." - from Chapter One Anyone who has ever struggled with capes, fans, swords, doublets and crinolines should make Style for Actors 2nd Edition their constant companion. Robert Barton has completely updated his award winning handbook for the 21st century with contemporary references and up-to-date illustrations. This is the definitive guide to roles in historical drama. The past is a foreign country, and this outstanding book is concerned with exploring it from the actor’s point of view. Specific guides range from Greek, Elizabethan, Restoration and Georgian theatre to more contemporary stylings, including Futurism, Surrealism and Postmodernism. Barton takes great care to present the actor with the roles and genres that will most commonly confront them. His analysis moves from entire genres to specific scenes and characters. A huge resource of nearly 150 practical exercises helps a newfound understanding of style to make the leap from page to performance.
Hamlet: A Tragedy
by William ShakespeareHamlet is Shakespeare's most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a "revenge tragedy," in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father's murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. Among them: What is the Ghost--Hamlet's father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder?
Henry IV, Part I: A History
by William ShakespeareAfter overthrowing his predecessor, King Henry IV is acutely aware of the delicate political tensions he must balance to protect his throne. On one hand, he must rein in his son, the mischievous Prince Hal, who has left the court for a life of drinking and pleasure. At the same time, he must put down a rebellion of some of the most powerful families in England. Henry IV, Part I is the second of four connected plays about successive British monarchs, including Richard II, Henry IV, Part II, and Henry V.
Henry IV, Part II: A History
by William ShakespeareAfter defeat at the Battle of Shrewsbury the rebels regroup. But Prince Hal’s reluctance to inherit the crown threatens to destroy the ailing Henry IV’s dream of a lasting dynasty. Shakespeare’s portrait of the prodigal son’s journey from youth to maturity embraces the full panorama of society. Henry IV, Part 2 is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599. It is the third part of a tetralogy, preceded by Richard II and Henry IV, Part 1 and succeeded by Henry V.
Henry V: A History
by William ShakespeareHenry V is Shakespeare’s most famous “war play”; it includes the storied English victory over the French at Agincourt. Some of it glorifies war, especially the choruses and Henry’s speeches urging his troops into battle. But we also hear bishops conniving for war to postpone a bill that would tax the church, and soldiers expecting to reap profits from the conflict. Even in the speeches of Henry and his nobles, there are many chilling references to the human cost of war.
A2 Drama and Theatre Studies: The Essential Introduction for Edexcel
by Alan Perks Jacqueline PorteousA2 Drama and Theatre Studies: The Essential Introduction for Edexcel builds on the skills developed during the AS year to provide clear and informative guidance to Units 3 and 4 of the specification. The textbook provides further information on rehearsing, performing, directing and textual analysis, together with new material on deconstructing a script, devising theatre and preparing for the final examination. Features of the text include: overviews of specification and assessment requirements written and practical exercises a glossary of useful words and terms in-depth analysis of the three key plays – Dr Faustus, Lysistrata and Woyzeck extension exercises to stretch the more able student worked examples to illustrate best practice sources for further study advice on study after A Level. Written by a chief examiner and a principal moderator, this book and its companion volume for AS Level offer informed and supportive exercises to ensure that students reach their maximum potential in achieving A Level success.
A2 Drama and Theatre Studies: The Essential Introduction for Edexcel
by Alan Perks Jacqueline PorteousA2 Drama and Theatre Studies: The Essential Introduction for Edexcel builds on the skills developed during the AS year to provide clear and informative guidance to Units 3 and 4 of the specification. The textbook provides further information on rehearsing, performing, directing and textual analysis, together with new material on deconstructing a script, devising theatre and preparing for the final examination. Features of the text include: overviews of specification and assessment requirements written and practical exercises a glossary of useful words and terms in-depth analysis of the three key plays – Dr Faustus, Lysistrata and Woyzeck extension exercises to stretch the more able student worked examples to illustrate best practice sources for further study advice on study after A Level. Written by a chief examiner and a principal moderator, this book and its companion volume for AS Level offer informed and supportive exercises to ensure that students reach their maximum potential in achieving A Level success.
Henry VI, Part I: A History
by William ShakespeareAfter the death of King Henry V, King Henry VI must ascend to the throne amist the chaos of the Hundred Years' War and internal struggles closer to home that threaten the British monarchy.
Henry VI, Part II: A History
by William ShakespeareKing Henry VI's reign is beset with infighting among the nobility as the War of the Roses breaks out in full and the king faces open rebellion as the Duke of York makes a claim for the throne .
Henry VI, Part III: A History
by William ShakespeareKing Henry VI is now on the run, defending his crown from the Yorkists in a conflict that will determine the fate of the British monarchy.
Henry VIII: The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth, A Tragedy
by William ShakespeareKing Henry VIII risks both his realm and his immortal soul when he divorces Katherine of Aragon in favour of Anne "Bullen". With a cast of characters that includes Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cranmer, the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sir Thomas Cromwell, Shakespeare explores one of the most fascinating periods in English history, which was still shaping and influencing his world under Henry's daughter, Elizabeth I.
Julius Caesar: A Tragedy
by William ShakespeareBased on events in Roman history, Shakespeare explores themes of justice and morality in Julius Caesar. Brutus, convinced by Cassius, kills Caesar in the Senate. The conspirators, believing they are acting in the best interest of Rome, refuse to flee—until Mark Antony sways public opinion with his infamous speech. His words sparks the battle to that drives the conspirators from Rome and leads the play to its dramatic conclusion.
King John: A History
by William ShakespeareTreachery and betrayal are the order of the day during the reign of King John of England (1199-1216). After he is forced to recognize the illegitimate son of his dead brother, King Richard I, King John finds himself under siege by the French king, Philip. Dealing with themes of royal legitimacy, succession, and the tenuous nature of diplomatic relationships, King John parallels issues prevalent in Shakespeare's own society at the time.
King Lear: A Tragedy
by William ShakespeareKing Lear, growing old and too tired to reign, decides to divide his realm amongst his three daughters, leaving the largest share to the one who loves him the most. His two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, foolish and deceitful children, are rewarded for their insincere flattery. His youngest daughter, Cordelia, however, speaks honestly and truthfully, which enrages the old king. He disinherits Cordelia, and then drives himself to madness, left to wander the heath with only his Fool, his servant Caius, and the madman Tom O'Bedlam for company. Once reunited with Cordelia, Lear is too late repents his rashness, and must face the tragic consequences of his choices.
Love's Labour's Lost: A Comedy
by William ShakespeareWhen Ferdinand, the king of Navarre, and his companions swear off of the company of women for three years in order to study and fast, they find themselves wholly unprepared for the lack of female company. By the time Princess of France and her ladies arrive, the men find themselves utterly beguiled by the women. Love's Labour's Lost is one of William Shakespeare's early comedies, believed to have been written in the mid-1590s for a performance at the Inns of Court before Queen Elizabeth I. The play draws on themes of masculine love and desire, reckoning and rationalization, and reality versus fantasy.
Macbeth: A Tragedy
by William ShakespeareMacbeth dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion, he soon becomes a tyrannical ruler. The bloodbath and consequent civil war swiftly take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of madness and death.
Ghosts
by Henrik IbsenMrs. Alving is building an orphanage as a memorial to her husband, and her son Oswald has returned for the occasion after many years abroad. The sins of the father are visited upon the unfortunate Oswald, however, and what unfolds is a staggering tale involving religion, venereal disease, incest and euthanasia. Like many of Ibsen's plays, Ghosts is a scathing commentary on 19th-century morality. Because of its subject matter, it immediately generated strong controversy and negative criticism. Since then the play has fared better, and is considered a great play that historically holds a position of immense importance.
Ghosts
by Henrik IbsenMrs. Alving is building an orphanage as a memorial to her husband, and her son Oswald has returned for the occasion after many years abroad. The sins of the father are visited upon the unfortunate Oswald, however, and what unfolds is a staggering tale involving religion, venereal disease, incest and euthanasia. Like many of Ibsen's plays, Ghosts is a scathing commentary on 19th-century morality. Because of its subject matter, it immediately generated strong controversy and negative criticism. Since then the play has fared better, and is considered a great play that historically holds a position of immense importance.
Hedda Gabler
by Henrik IbsenHedda Gabler features one of the stage's most unforgettable heroines—a role coveted by actresses the world over. Ibsen's fascinating tale of obsession and manipulation was first staged in 1891. Hedda, the daughter of an aristocratic general has just arrived home from her honeymoon with husband George Tesman. The reappearance of George's academic rival—and Hedda's former lover—throws all of their lives into disarray, with tragic consequences.
Hedda Gabler
by Henrik IbsenHedda Gabler features one of the stage's most unforgettable heroines—a role coveted by actresses the world over. Ibsen's fascinating tale of obsession and manipulation was first staged in 1891. Hedda, the daughter of an aristocratic general has just arrived home from her honeymoon with husband George Tesman. The reappearance of George's academic rival—and Hedda's former lover—throws all of their lives into disarray, with tragic consequences.