An authoritative, hands-on guide through the practical challenges involved in performing Shakespeare.

Drawing on a lifetime's experience of playing Shakespearean roles, Oliver Ford Davies offers practical advice to actors, directors and drama students on a wide variety of scenes, characters, speeches and individual lines from almost every one of the plays.

The three core sections of Performing Shakespeare take us through the whole process of Preparation, Rehearsal and Performance, preceded by discussions of the Elizabethan actor and Shakespeare's language.

Also included are revealing interviews with other notable Shakespearean actors including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Harriet Walter, Simon Russell Beale and Juliet Stevenson.

'An invaluable guide to those who act and to all those who wish to gain deeper insights into the performance of Shakespeare's plays' Stanley Wells from his Foreword

About the Author

Oliver Ford Davies was a university lecturer, and then a regional drama critic for the Guardian, before turning to acting. In a long career, he has played major roles for the RSC and the National Theatre. He is the author of Playing Lear.

Reviews

'Terrific... should be read by anyone who wants to understand more about the Bard, his players, his times and today's interpretations of his stupendous creations... a great book for anyone who loves the theatre'

* Observer *

'It is hard to offer enough praise to this book... a tremendous knowledge of the canon... the writing is always practical and never dry or dull... might become definitive guidance for many who wish to follow in the author's footsteps'

* British Theatre Guide *



Book Information
ISBN 9781854597816
Author Oliver Ford Davies
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 440g
Dimensions(mm) 215mm * 138mm * 25mm