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
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‘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
‘My happy place is where Art meets Activism’: Julie Hesmondhalgh on why she feels at home with political theatre
Julie Hesmondhalgh is one of those rare human beings: an actor who is instantly recognisable from her performances in popular TV dramas such as Broadchurch and Happy Valley, and as Hayley in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street; but at the same time, one who remains grounded in a politically engaged, compassionate, activist, grass-roots theatre … Continue reading ‘My happy place is where Art meets Activism’: Julie Hesmondhalgh on why she feels at home with political theatre
‘Write with your heart as well as your head’: Jemma Kennedy on getting started as a playwright
For playwright and screenwriter Jemma Kennedy, plays are something of a paradox: carefully structured works of studied, practised craft, but also filled with unstudied, creative instinct. For a script to truly come to life, it must encapsulate both these qualities. In this extract from Jemma's book The Playwright's Journey, she reflects on her own path … Continue reading ‘Write with your heart as well as your head’: Jemma Kennedy on getting started as a playwright
‘He was a giant in the world of theatre’ – a tribute to Peter Brook
Peter Brook, who has sadly died at the age of 97, was one of the most influential and important figures in twentieth-century theatre – described by the Guardian as 'one of theatre’s most visionary and influential thinkers'. The New York Times called him 'a director of scale and humanity, who left an indelible mark'. Brook's … Continue reading ‘He was a giant in the world of theatre’ – a tribute to Peter Brook
‘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 doggedly pursued his unique vision’: a tribute to Robert Holman
Over the course of a career spanning almost fifty years, Robert Holman garnered a reputation as an extraordinary playwright, who influenced many of today's most renowned dramatists. His plays, which have been staged at leading venues including the Royal Court, Chichester Festival Theatre, Bush Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Traverse Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Donmar Warehouse and … Continue reading ‘He doggedly pursued his unique vision’: a tribute to Robert Holman
‘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
The Prompt Book 