The Actor and the Text (Applause Acting Series) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Cicely Berry, Voice Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, has written an exemplary book for actors, particularly those performing works by Shakespeare.She somehow finds the words that express the elusive feel for Shakespeare's language that any good Shakespearean actor must develop.Her descriptions, examples and exercises provide a comprehensive training program for actors that recreates the work she has done with some of the world's great Shakespearean actors of our day: an essential book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Actor and the Text (Applause Acting Series)

Product Description:
These words of Cicely Berry, the voice director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, speak to anyone who needs to speak his or her piece - in any arena, at sales meetings or religious revivals. Berry's book will insure that the speaker and the text gets heard - accurately and with true emotional range. Never again will one be accused of simply "reading a prepared statement." Berry's exercises to develop relaxation, breathing and muscular control will literally help everyone breathe easier when confronting the printed page.

Get 32% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about The Actor and the Text (Applause Acting Series) now ?

Read the Beatles: Classic and New Writings on the Beatles, Their Legacy, and Why They Still Matter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is an extremely well-put-together anthology of writings about the Beatles, spanning their entire career as a group and then following each in their post-Beatles years.It includes most of the seminal reviews, interviews and articles about the Beatles from beginning to end (such as the Maureen Cleve/Lennon interview, the William Mann London Times reviews legitimizing the Beatles as serious musicians and songwriters, sections from the Playboy interviews with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, excellent writing on the elusive George Harrison and his musical contributions by David Simons, and much more) and essays on why the Beatles still matter.

The book is set up in three distinct parts

I.Articles written during the Beatles years, in chronological order.
II. Articles written about individual Beatles post-Beatles, arranged by individual.
III.Articles and essays about the Beatles legacy.

I knew quite a bit about the Beatles before reading this book, but I learned much that was new and interesting that has heightened my appreciation of these fine musician/songwriters and their legacy.

Five stars, and then some.A+

Click Here to see more reviews about: Read the Beatles: Classic and New Writings on the Beatles, Their Legacy, and Why They Still Matter

Product Description:
A must-have volume for all Beatles fans-a career-spanning selection of writings about the Fab Four

There are, of course, many books on the Beatles, but this is the only one available that is a comprehensive, career-spanning collection of journalism about the legendary band, before and after the breakup. Consisting of more than fifty articles, essays, interviews, record and movie reviews, poems, and book excerpts-many of them rare and hard to find-Read the Beatles is an unprecedented compilation that follows the arc of the Fab Four's iconic and idiosyncratic career, from their early days in Liverpool through their tragic and triumphant histories after the group's split.
The book also includes original essays from noted musicians and journalists about the Beatles' lasting influence and why they still matter today.

Get 32% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Read the Beatles: Classic and New Writings on the Beatles, Their Legacy, and Why They Still Matter now ?

Conversations with Pinter (Limelight) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In a series of interviews between 1971 and 1993 Gussow (longtime _New York Times_ drama critic, who also coaxed a fascinating set of comments from Tom Stoppard) got Pinter to talk about how he works. Pinter refuses to commenton what his work "means," but is eager to clear the air aboutmisperceptions about himself (such as being in a chronic state of outrage).Pinter comes across as generous as well as politically committed,suspicious of audiences, but grateful to (fellow) actors. And he clearlyhas a sense of humor (too rarely appreciated in his plays).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Conversations with Pinter (Limelight)

Product Description:
Conversations with Pinter

Want to read more honest consumer review about Conversations with Pinter (Limelight) now ?

Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is what every high school English student ought to hear: "You needn't fear the language - it's specially designed to involve and support you."And so John Basil begins 'Will Power,' a book which makes the complex mechanics of performing Shakespeare manageable and UNDERSTANDABLE.He's not giving you narrow interpretations but teaching you how to get into the text enough/understand the background so you can form your own conclusions.Obviously, performing Shakespeare isn't easy.But Basil's approach really helps - a different focus each day, checklists, practice hints, etc.You hone your alliteration skills.Discover why certain words are capitalized (it DOES make a difference!)And he gives tips on how to make the performance more authentic (the Globe didn't have electricity!Emphasis based on body language and eye contact becomes even more important.)

Whether you're acting in one of Shakespeare's plays or simply want a different approach to understanding his writings, this book is definitely worth the read.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books)

Product Description:
Thousands of young people set their sights on becoming professional actors each year, hoping to get a foot in the door with a solid resume built in high school, college, and local theatre company productions. But competition for parts is fierce, and no list of credits is complete without competency in the classical works of Shakespeare.Will Power guides both professional actors and aspirants through a lively 21-day rehearsal process leading up to the day of an actual audition or performance. Actors need never again be confused about where to begin or how to follow through when developing a Shakespearean role. Clear stepping stones have been laid out before them-by Shakespeare himself. Even seasoned actors, familiar with verse, are fascinated when they learn about the acting clues and stage directions embedded in the original First Folio text of Shakespeare's work, in the form of particular punctuation, capitalized letters, and spelling. Putting actors on their feet in dynamic and fun rehearsals, this practical guide helps them develop the 7 Cs of acting: commitment, concentration, conditioning, control, confidence, courage, and clarity while also demystifying how to perform thesethese magnificently crafted plays.

Get 32% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books) now ?

Ticket to Ride: Inside the Beatles' 1964 and 1965 Tours That Changed the World Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a sterling, high caliber first rate work.
Larry Kane, a veteran news reporter/broadcast journalist shares anecdotes of his year traveling with the Beatles.He covers the concerts from 1964 and 1965 and gives in-depth analyses of each individual Beatle.Kane's voice, the voice of a newsman rings pure and clear; he not only provides an objective reporting style, but he effectively includes his subjective feelings regarding the events and people he has covered.
This book contains material that is new even to inveterate Beatle fans; this book is a treasure trove of historical information.Kane covers incidents as seemingly humorous as George Harrison aiming his drink at an intrusive reporter to events as serious as the safety and personal observations of each Beatle.
Kane's writing style is very inclusive; in covering the issues and events, he skillfully draws his readers in so that one feels a part of what is taking place in the narratives.He is also quite adept at portraying the individuality of each person mentioned in the book.I like the wayhe has interviewed fans and included their input as well as updates on them.I was also delighted that Kane included a list of Beatles' concerts, dates and places during 1964 - 1965.
I have had the pleasure of hearing Larry Kane speak several times; he has a real gift and a real flair as a raconteur and this book is proof positive of that.A CD of interviews comes with the book and it is a bonus treat.
This is such a worthwhile book.I can't recommend it highly enough.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ticket to Ride: Inside the Beatles' 1964 and 1965 Tours That Changed the World

Get 15% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Ticket to Ride: Inside the Beatles' 1964 and 1965 Tours That Changed the World now ?

Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook - Twentieth Anniversary Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"Year of the King" is a fine opportunity to watch an actor prepare for a role.In this case, the actor, Antony Sher, on the verge of leaving the Royal Shakespeare Company, is offered Richard III, one of Shakespeare's most complex and twisted characters.The book is Sher's journal, filled with a mixture of backstage anecdotes, evocative illustrations by Sher, and moments when the acting process becomes clear, inspired, and thought-provoking. Sher opens his life to the reader, taking us from the initial speculation ("Will they ask me to play Richard?") to the rehearsal processes and character work to the performances.Sher's writing is compelling, honest, and comfortably readable, without even the tiniest bit of ego that so often plagues this kind of journal. It is a glimpse into the process, both artistic and personal, that an actor endures in pursuit of a character.I have used "Year of the King" as a textbook in an acting class, as an example of how one can use a journal, and as a foundation for a course in theatre criticism. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in theatre and classical acting.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook - Twentieth Anniversary Edition

Product Description:
In 1984 Antony Sher, hailed as "the most exciting actor of his generation" by the Observer, made his debut - on homemade crutches - as the infamous Richard III in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of the play. He would go on to win the Laurence Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for best actor. In his own words and sketches, he chronicles his personal and professional journey to this award-winning performance, from the moment he was offered the role to opening night, in the critically acclaimed book Year of the King, now available in this special 20th anniversary edition. From his brainstorm to use crutches to bring the king's deformity to life, to his research for the role, which included watching interviews with psychopaths, reading about mass murderers, and speaking with doctors and physically challenged individuals, to his visit to his homeland of South Africa, to his experiences in working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the reader is given a front-row seat to Sher's physical and mental preparation - or rather transformation - for his landmark performance as "the bottled spider."

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Year of the King: An Actor's Diary and Sketchbook - Twentieth Anniversary Edition now ?

The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of the Beatles Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As the paperback cover states, longtime Beatle insider Peter Brown dishes out the dirt, National Enquirer style.Written with the cooperation of the Beatles, their wives/girlfriends etc., there was nonetheless a backlash when they read what went to print (though they didn't deny much of it) and he was forever cut from the Beatles' inner circle.Lots of information about the drug and sexual habits of those cuddly Liverpudlians, as well as the antics of manager Brian Epstein.Nice to know these things, but I think I'll just listen to their music.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of the Beatles

Get 32% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of the Beatles now ?

Living Smart in New York City: The Ultimate Guide for the Budget Savvy (Softcover) (Limelight) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is great! It has everything from a chapter on finding apartments, to where to get cheap groceries! For New Yorkers, or Future New Yorkers, who aren't overloaded with cash, this is a book you can't afford to do without!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Living Smart in New York City: The Ultimate Guide for the Budget Savvy (Softcover) (Limelight)

Product Description:
New York City is proud of its Donald Trumps and Woody Allens, its Matthew Brodericks and Sammy Sosas, but the backbone of our great teeming metropolis is made up of teachers and salesmen, cashiers and consultants, actors and cab drivers, public defense lawyers and personal trainers. With these people in mind, actor/teacher and 20-year New York City veteran Craig Wroe pounded the pavement with notebook in hand, traveling all over the city comparison shopping. When he found stores that were giving people a fair break on price and product and service providers that understand the value of offering more for less, he wrote down their names, addresses and details in his Big Book.
This valuable directory is a virtual treasure trove of New York City consumer information and offers expert guidance in such areas as:
Getting Settled--housing, banking, phone services, video rentalStaying Healthy--health insurance, therapy, low-cost veterinary services and clinicsPersonal and Professional Resources--unions/guilds, computer training, rehearsal spacesShopping--wine/spirits, clothing, furniture, photographers, flowers, street fairs and sample salesAll Work and No Play--museums, galleries, grand opera and guerilla theater
For this revised edition every chapter has been updated and expanded and several new listings have been added, such as "frugal living" websites, important/emergency phone numbers, ways to avoid health insurance scams, inexpensive yoga and meditation classes, and much more.Web addresses, where available, have been added. Five stars on Amazon.com, highlighted on The Drama Book Shop best-seller list, "always-in-stock" status at Barnes & Noble and rave customer reviews say it all: Living Smart--New York City: The Ultimate Insider's Guide for the Budget Savvy is a must-have for newcomers, urban dilettantes and life-long dwellers of our great city. If you have to choose between purchasing a good haircut or a good meal, then you need this book!

Get 15% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Living Smart in New York City: The Ultimate Guide for the Budget Savvy (Softcover) (Limelight) now ?

An Actor and His Time - Cloth (Applause Books) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Heard the taped version of AN ACTOR AND HIS TIME, written
and read by Sir John Gielgud.

Gielgud, arguably the greatest Shakespearean actor of the 20th
century, is perhaps best known by modern audiences for his
starring role in ARTHUR . . . however, he appeared in well over
120 other movies and TV productions--in addition to his stage work.

While I found AN ACTOR AND HIS TIME moderately interesting,
I was disappointed that most of its emphasis was on Gielgud's
work on the English stage . . . I would have much preferred
more emphasis on his latter work.

In addition, I enjoyed hearing about such modern performers as
Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson . . . that said, tales of his
own great aunt Ellen Terry (also a star actress) were of little interest
to me.

The fact that AN ACTOR AND HIS TIME was narrated by Gielgud,
who still had a magnificent voice at the time of taping, helped maintain
my interest.

Click Here to see more reviews about: An Actor and His Time - Cloth (Applause Books)

Product Description:
John Gielgud tells the story of his life in the theatre, from the time of the great actor/managers like Tree and du Maurier and star actresses like Sarah Bernhardt and his own great aunt Ellen Terry, to his famous partnerships with Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson.

Want to read more honest consumer review about An Actor and His Time - Cloth (Applause Books) now ?

Edward Albee: A Singular Journey (Applause Books) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Albee, the playwright of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," and other plays, is given a deluxe biographical treatment here from a writer who has known him for almost forty years...and sometimes worships him a little too much.
Albee was adopted by a wealthy, yet emotionless set of parents. His father, Reed, was absent, and his mother, Frankie, was cool and detached. This upbringing, where he was seen more as a possession than a family member, would of course affect his writings. Constantly kicked out of schools, and never graduating from college, Albee turned to writing, his first success being "Zoo Story."
"Zoo Story," a short play about a fateful meeting of two men in a park, received mixed notices from assorted playwrights and critics. Here, biographer Gussow overextends his protection of his subject too much. He dismisses the honest critiques of two playwriting giants- Thornton Wilder and William Inge, because they did not understand or like Albee's works. However, a bland positive response by Samuel Beckett is treated like a Dead Sea Scroll, to be picked apart and treasured. I have read "Zoo Story," and it is wordy and preachy.
Albee's next big success was "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," which was turned into a powerhouse film by Mike Nichols. Again, Gussow is flagrant in his criticism of someone involved with the film in order to placate Albee, and here, Nichols. The film's screenwriter, Ernest Lehman, is harshly criticized for opening the play slightly, yet just copying Albee's play. The bio's author, and Albee, make a point of needling Lehman's screenwriting credit on the film. Yet, Elaine May copied the French film "La Cage Aux Folles" word for word, adding what could be described as copious scenes at best, then took a big giant screenwriting credit for Nichols' "The Birdcage." Watch both films back to back sometime, it is eye opening.
Gussow also fumbles in his outline of Albee's life. In Albee's less successful years, he is writing weird experimental plays with subjects like a man with three arms, and one play where two of the characters are sea creatures. After mounting all of these failures, Albee is defended endlessly by Gussow, who suddenly contributes an entire chapter about Albee's alcoholism. The alcohol is both a reason his plays were not celebrated, and a defense of the brilliant man.
The entire beginning of the book chronicles the complete lack of love Albee's parents had for him, yet the death of Albee's father is glossed over, barely mentioned. I had to reread the sentence a few times, since no followup is made about Albee's reaction. A whole chapter is devoted to his mother's demise, and her revenge on her own son in her will. More is written about one of his former lovers and honest critics, a frustrated musician. This "A Star is Born" redux is written about nicely.
Gussow does do well in describing Albee's assorted forays into theater, as playwright and director. Dirt about Donald Sutherland and Frank Langella is dished around. The bio's author is honest in Albee's lacking skills as a director, coming to the theater as a playwright and not an actor.
Albee, who prefers to be called a writer who is gay, as opposed to a gay writer, also has kind words for his longtime partner of over twenty years. Albee says a gay writer writes about being gay, whether the work is good or not is moot, since the writer knows the subject and is putting in the final word. A writer who is gay is not tied down to just homosexual topics, and is free to explore society without audiences looking for gay subtexts that do not exist. "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is a seering look at two heterosexual couples, the sexuality of the playwright is nonessential in light of his characters and their actions.
Gussow wisely keeps talk of Albee's lesser known plays, and the ones readers probably have not read anyway, to a minimum. Albee's triumphant comeback play, "Three Tall Women," is covered extensively. The play is about his mother, and so much more.
Reading this biography will make you curious to seek out some of Albee's other plays, just to see what makes him tick. Over seventy now, he is definitely an interesting man, and Gussow does catch that fact better than anything.
I recommend this book to theater lovers, and any writer who needs a little inspiration.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Edward Albee: A Singular Journey (Applause Books)

Want to read more honest consumer review about Edward Albee: A Singular Journey (Applause Books) now ?

Advice to a Player: A Collection of Monologues from Shakespeare with Explanatory Notes (Limelight) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)What a find! I bought this book on the recommendation of Joan Plowright's foreward and am so pleased I did. Mackechnie's book not only gathers an amazing amount of Shakespearean monologues, but he dissects them with considerable insight and wit. He guides you through each speech with so much info: why, where, who, that it all makes perfect sense. Any acting student would benefit not only from the technical wisdom but from the anecdotal wisdom as well. Apparently Mackechnie has worked with Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Plowright, Ian Mckellen, among others. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Advice to a Player: A Collection of Monologues from Shakespeare with Explanatory Notes (Limelight)

Product Description:
While some of the thirty-two speeches included here--those from Hamlet, Henry V and As You Like It, for example--are well known and favorites for audition purposes, most are less familiar and so provide challenging new opportunities for an actor to grow. The author, a producer, director and teacher for more than 40 years, here carefully analyzes the meaning of each monologue as a whole and various sentences and phrases within it. He goes on to explain point by point everything the actor needs to know about that moment in the play when the monologue is delivered. In her Foreword, Joan Plowright extols, "...he's done an excellent job of de-mystifying Shakespeare in his book...No actor attempting his first Shakespearean role (or even his second) should be without it."

Want to read more honest consumer review about Advice to a Player: A Collection of Monologues from Shakespeare with Explanatory Notes (Limelight) now ?

Guitar World Presents Pink Floyd Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Anyone who is familiar with Pink Floyd knows their story. It's been printed often enough, so there is nothing new here in that regard.Having said that, I would recommend this for anyone who hasn't seen any of this info and for the interviews contained within, especially the ones from David Gilmour as you get areal sense of who he is as a person.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Guitar World Presents Pink Floyd

Product Description:
Pink Floyd's extraordinary career has now spanned four decades, from their early days pushing the cutting edge of British psychedelic pop to their massive successes with moody, conceptual masterpieces like Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall, to their acrimonious split with Roger Waters and finally, the immense stadium tours that followed. Throughout, Pink Floyd has influenced everyone from David Bowie to Nine Inch Nails to Radiohead, and their albums continue to have timeless appeal. Now, premier interview journalist Alan di Perna and the editors of Guitar World have collected penetrating interviews and insights into Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright to create a vivid portrait of a notoriously reclusive band.

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Guitar World Presents Pink Floyd now ?

Acting Shakespeare (Applause Books) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Gielgud does not discuss Shakespeare in any kind of biographical or historical way.This book is about Gielgud's experiences and thoughts about acting various roles and directing many of the plays over his great career in theater.He not only tells us openly his opinions of his own performances, he also shares fairly unvarnished views about fellow actors and actresses and especially of directors and other behind the stage personnel.However, these are views about the private person, they are about what they did in bringing Shakespeare's plays to the stage.It is most interesting to read the author's thoughts about his strengths and limitations.He knows the romantic roles such as Romeo were of limited success, but he loved his Richard II and Lear.

The occasion of this book seems to be the release of Gielgud's taking the Prospero role in the film "Prospero's Books" and the release of the movie.The actor talks about his work in bringing Shakespeare to film as well as the stage and said that he always wanted to play Prospero on film and shares with us his many failed attempts to make that happen.While he had not seen the finished version of "Prospero's Books" he felt that it would be beautiful to look at.I have never seen the film.

The book has many wonderful pictures of Gielgud and his contemporaries in their roles.There are also playbills, photos of directors and others involved in the productions as well.Gielgud also is interesting talking about stagecraft and the stage direction of the different productions, the costumes and how all of it goes into creating a role.Anyone who has ever been involved in a performance of anything knows how much goes into making something appear so effortless on stage.Even the lighting adds a level of sophistication to the drama.

The appendices include lists of Gielgud's performances as an actor in the various plays, productions he directed, some notices from critics, some of the casts of productions in which he took part, and some notes he took in a 1946 production of King Lear under the direction of Harley Granville-Barker whom Gielgud admired.

A fascinating book and miles upon miles from the mindless publicity minded celebrity books that get tossed off with little thought and less content.This book is interesting, has a great deal to offer anyone interested in Shakespeare and acting in the theater (or on film).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acting Shakespeare (Applause Books)

Get 22% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Acting Shakespeare (Applause Books) now ?

Shaw on Shakespeare (Applause Books) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you like Shakespeare and Shaw, this is a wonderful book. Shaw, who was for more than ten years a theatrical reviewer, mostly for The Saturday Review, was exasperated that the world thought Shakespeare a better playwright, but nevertheless took up his cudgel when someone mounted a brainless and/or wrongheaded production of a Shakespeare play. (This sometimes happens, even today.) Shaw is not kind or gentle, but he is very, very funny. The book was out of print for years; we owe thanks to Glenn Young's Applause Books for making it available again. When people are feeling gloomy I have them read the first page of Shaw's review of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Even if they know nothing about Shaw or that play, they generally burst out laughing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Shaw on Shakespeare (Applause Books)

Product Description:
"With the single exception of Homer, there is no eminent writer, not even Sir Walter Scott, whom I can despise so entirely as I despise Shakespeare when I measure my mind against his." - From SHAW ON SHAKESPEARE Celebrated playwright, critic and essayist George Bernard Shaw was more like the Elizabethan master that he would ever admit. Both men were intristic dramatists who shared a rich and abiding respect for the stage. Shakespeare was the produce of a tempestuous and enlightening era under the reign of his patron, Queen Elizabeth I; while G.B.S. reflected the racy and risque spirt of the late 19th century as the champion of modern drama by playwrights like Ibsen, and, later, himself. Culled from Shaw's reviews, prefaces, letters to actors and critics, and other writings, SHAW ON SHAKESPEARE offers a fascinating and unforgettable portrait of the 16th century playwright by his most outspoken critic. This is a witty and provocative classic that combines Shaw's prodigious critical acumen with a superlative prose style second to none (except, perhaps, Shakespeare!).

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Shaw on Shakespeare (Applause Books) now ?

Hamlet - A User's Guide (Limelight) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a book accessible to any Shakespeare reader - not just the theater or academic professional.The writing is direct & dynamic, Pennington discusses each scene & character individually, and his footnotedpersonal comments add even more to one's understanding.I particularlyenjoyed his footnote about advice he received from an 11 year old regardinghow to play Claudius and the Ghost.Something you will find here andrarely elsewhere: more than a passing mention of Rosencrantz &Guildenstern's roles, although I take exception to Pennington's view ofthem as essentionally innocent characters.I'd rate this 5 stars if he hadwritten a better analysis of the character of Horatio.Pennington balanceshis odd defense of R&G by down-playing Horatio's integrity.Hisanalysis of the Play Within the Play Scene comes to an astonishing &wise conclusion about the real victim.I've seen it nowhere else; no - Iwon't tell you here; read the book.Educators: this is an A+ supplement toa class study of Hamlet whether at the high school or college level.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hamlet - A User's Guide (Limelight)

Product Description:
"Pennington's great experience of the play...love for it...depth of knowledge...of many productions and interpretations culminate in a book of infinite value to any actor, director and above all to any passionate playgoer...written with passion, humor and rigor...an excellent read." -Ralph Fiennes

Get 10% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Hamlet - A User's Guide (Limelight) now ?

Eric Clapton - The Bluesman Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Bluesman is a great compilation of music from Eric Clapton assembled by Andy Aledort.Much of the music is from his earlier days so ignores more timely titles, but is an in depth look at the early blues oriented style Clapton started with.

I can't understand why Hal Leonard discontinued this package unless there may have been a plan to convert the included CD to DVD, and the plan was abandoned before implementation. As it is, the tabs are clearly written, accurate: almost painfully so: and the CD tracks are perfect. Each title is broken into segments, with each segment played at normal speed and again at a much slower tempo. This makes it easy to follow the tab, or to play note for note with the track.

In closing: The Bluesman is a terrific product for learning the blues style of one of popular music's most influential artists.I only wish Hal Leonard Corp. would produce it with an accompanying DVD so I could purchase that as well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eric Clapton - The Bluesman

Product Description:
This instructional book/CD pack will let players see why Clapton is such a legend! Examines 11 songs: Have You Ever Loved a Woman ¥ Hideaway ¥ I Feel Free ¥ IÕm So Glad ¥ SteppinÕ Out ¥ Strange Brew ¥ Sunshine of Your Love ¥ more.

Get 22% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Eric Clapton - The Bluesman now ?

Paul Scofield: An Actor for All Seasons (Hardcover) (Applause Books) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As someone who much admires Paul Scofield, but only had access to his movies, I liked to know more about his work (until 2000), principally in theater, and this book supplied me with some photos, reviews, some interviews, and descriptions about Paul Scofield and his wonderful life as the best actor I have seen. That is an opinion shared by many others, indeed his "King Lear" was chosen as the best ever Shakespeare performance in a unique poll (2004)of members of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Besides his work as an actor, I came to admire more the man for his self-assurance and adult balance. As Felice Kendall said to the author: "He's like an adult. Most actors are like children".
Sure, I'd like that he had made more films, but as he said: "A long time ago, I realised I should have to choose between films and theatre--and the theatre has always come first. I'm not an actor because I feel the need to say `Look at me, aren't I clever?' I don't have an inferiority complex I must disguise. I'm an actor because...oh, because I'm good at it. I can say honestly and, I hope, without self-satisfaction, that I'm happy with my lot."

I recommend this book and I hope that all his films (includind TV) be released in DVD.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Paul Scofield: An Actor for All Seasons (Hardcover) (Applause Books)

Product Description:
Garry O'Connor, highly respected for his theatrical biographies, presents a richly drawn, fully dimensional portrait of the great actor Paul Scofield. He interviewed the intensely private Scofield himself, as well as many of the actors and directors he has worked with, including Simon Callow, Trevor Nunn, Richard Eyre and Peter Hall. The result is a masterly biography that paints a revealing portrait of a man who, for the serious film and theatre-goer, is more of an icon than any other living actor.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Paul Scofield: An Actor for All Seasons (Hardcover) (Applause Books) now ?