Internationally acclaimed theatre director Declan Donnellan co-founded Cheek by Jowl with designer Nick Ormerod. A focus on the actor's art has always been central to the company's work. Encapsulating this bold way of thinking about performance, his new book The Actor and the Space tackles the fundamental questions that face any actor, developing and extending … Continue reading ‘Acting is an essential part of being human’: Declan Donnellan on how to bring performances to life
Acting Books
The primacy of the actor: renowned theatre director Mike Alfreds on the nature of theatre and what actors do
Mike Alfreds founded Shared Experience theatre company in 1975, and has since directed plays for the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe, the Royal Shakespeare Company and also extensively abroad. He is hugely respected within the profession, and his books Different Every Night and Then What Happens? are essential reading for actors and directors. His new book, … Continue reading The primacy of the actor: renowned theatre director Mike Alfreds on the nature of theatre and what actors do
‘Our bodies know even more than our conscious imagination’: Mel Churcher on our elemental drives and how we can harness them in the acting process
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Quintessence. We are all a complex mixture of the five elemental energies identified by many different cultures throughout history. Here, international acting coach MEL CHURCHER shows how an elemental approach to acting can help you bring your role more fully into life – plus a sample exercise from her new book … Continue reading ‘Our bodies know even more than our conscious imagination’: Mel Churcher on our elemental drives and how we can harness them in the acting process
‘Make sure you’re always ready to work’ – how to build your personal acting toolkit
Whatever situation you find yourself in as an actor – whether you're currently on a job, or juggling resting jobs whilst waiting to audition – there's always something you can be doing to ensure you're prepared when that life-changing opportunity comes your way. Here, in an extract from their book The Jobbing Actor, accredited … Continue reading ‘Make sure you’re always ready to work’ – how to build your personal acting toolkit
‘Traditional Shakespeare makes me shudder’ – Andrew Hilton on keeping the plays fresh
Over the course of his fifty-year career, Andrew Hilton has directed dozens of Shakespeare plays to widespread acclaim – including from the Guardian's Lyn Gardner, who has called him 'one of the great tellers of Shakespeare'. Hilton's new book, Shakespeare on the Factory Floor, draws on these decades of experience, offering insights for theatre-makers, students … Continue reading ‘Traditional Shakespeare makes me shudder’ – Andrew Hilton on keeping the plays fresh
How to learn an American accent – top tips from a leading voice and dialect coach
Rebecca Gausnell is a voice and dialect coach who's worked on film, TV and theatre productions around the world, helping actors give convincing performances that not only sound authentically American, but connect the voice to the character they're playing. In this extract from her new book, Mastering an American Accent: The Compact Guide, Rebecca offers … Continue reading How to learn an American accent – top tips from a leading voice and dialect coach
‘He was a bit of a wonder’ – a tribute to Antony Sher
Antony Sher, who sadly died this week, was one of the most respected actors of his generation. Most closely associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company – with whom he performed many of the most famous roles in the Shakespearean canon including Richard III, Macbeth, Lear, Prospero, Iago, Falstaff, Shylock, Malvolio and Leontes, as well as … Continue reading ‘He was a bit of a wonder’ – a tribute to Antony Sher
‘It gives you the freedom to choose’ – Penny O’Connor on the Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique has revolutionised the physicality, presence and professional lives of generations of actors. By first asking you to identify your own acquired habits, the technique enables you to find new and beneficial ways of moving, thinking, breathing and performing, freely and without unnecessary tension. Here, Penny O'Connor – a teacher of the Technique … Continue reading ‘It gives you the freedom to choose’ – Penny O’Connor on the Alexander Technique
‘Anyone can improve their memory’ – Mark Channon on how to learn your lines more quickly, easily and confidently
Whether it's a script for a play, scenes for next day's shooting, or sides sent over shortly in advance of an audition, every actor will be familiar with the process of trying to get their lines off the page and into their brain. The pressures of line-learning can cause anxiety, and the fear of forgetting … Continue reading ‘Anyone can improve their memory’ – Mark Channon on how to learn your lines more quickly, easily and confidently
‘The training must go on!’ – Glyn Trefor-Jones on teaching drama socially distanced
Teachers and students returning to school this month are having to get to grips with a 'new normal' of bubbles, masks, and social distancing. The constraints caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic make teaching any subject trickier – but perhaps none more so than drama. That's why director, writer and teacher Glyn Trefor-Jones has created … Continue reading ‘The training must go on!’ – Glyn Trefor-Jones on teaching drama socially distanced
The Play Ground 