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
Shakespeare
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
How to bring Shakespeare’s plays to life for young people
Working on Shakespeare's plays can be a transformational experience for young people. His stories resonate with everyone, whatever their age or background. His language may be challenging on the page, but it comes to life when spoken aloud; we use it in our daily lives, often without even realising it. Here, arts education consultant ALANNA … Continue reading How to bring Shakespeare’s plays to life for young people
‘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
Harriet Walter (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Nick Hern Books is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary in 2018. To mark the occasion, we've commissioned interviews with some of our leading authors and playwrights. First up, theatre journalist Al Senter talks to Dame Harriet Walter... Actor Harriet Walter has enjoyed a long and distinguished career, including playing almost all of Shakespeare's heroines on the … Continue reading Harriet Walter (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Understanding the Mad King: Antony Sher on rehearsing King Lear
Leading actor Antony Sher's new book Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries provides an intimate, first-hand account of his process researching, rehearsing and performing arguably Shakespeare's most challenging role, Lear, in the acclaimed 2016 Royal Shakespeare Company production. This extract, written during rehearsals only a few weeks before the production opened, takes us behind … Continue reading Understanding the Mad King: Antony Sher on rehearsing King Lear
‘Theatre makes people more intelligent than they are individually’: celebrating Peter Hall
Sir Peter Hall, who has died at the age of 86, held a truly special place at the heart of our cultural landscape: among his many achievements were founding the Royal Shakespeare Company, serving as Director of the National Theatre, and directing the English-language premiere of Waiting for Godot. To celebrate his extraordinary life, here's … Continue reading ‘Theatre makes people more intelligent than they are individually’: celebrating Peter Hall
‘It’s such a joyous play’: four leading actors on playing Shakespeare’s great roles
For his new book Shakespeare On Stage: Volume 2, experienced actor Julian Curry – who himself has appeared in twenty-one of Shakespeare's plays – spoke to twelve leading colleagues about their experience of participating in landmark Shakespearean productions, each recreating in detail their memorable performance in a major role. Here, read some extracts from the … Continue reading ‘It’s such a joyous play’: four leading actors on playing Shakespeare’s great roles
Harriet Walter on playing Shakespeare’s great roles
In her new book Brutus and Other Heroines: Playing Shakespeare's Roles for Women, acclaimed actor Harriet Walter looks back at her experiences of playing many of Shakespeare’s most famous roles – both female and male – across her varied and distinguished career. Her perceptive and intimate accounts illustrate each play as a whole, and provide … Continue reading Harriet Walter on playing Shakespeare’s great roles
The Prompt Book 