For director and voice teacher Max Hafler, good vocal training is vital for young people – and not just for those preparing for a career in the performing arts. Here he explains the benefits of a holistic approach, and how his new book, Teaching Voice: Workshops for Young Performers, can help teachers and facilitators with … Continue reading ‘A voice for life’: Max Hafler on teaching voice to young people
‘Wonder tales’: Philip Pullman and Philip Wilson on staging the Grimm Tales
For Philip Pullman, working on a new version of the Grimm Tales was a 'dream job'. Here, he explains why they work so well on the stage, while below, theatre director Philip Wilson describes how he adapted and staged the Tales, and what to consider when staging them yourself... Philip Pullman: When Penguin Classics asked … Continue reading ‘Wonder tales’: Philip Pullman and Philip Wilson on staging the Grimm Tales
‘Getting there, doing it, and making a living out of it’: Paul Clayton on being a Working Actor
Paul Clayton has been an actor for almost forty years, a career spanning roles in Peep Show, Doctor Who, Wolf Hall, Hollyoaks and more. As his new book The Working Actor is published, he reflects on how it all started, what it takes to keep going, and how you can make it, too… In my … Continue reading ‘Getting there, doing it, and making a living out of it’: Paul Clayton on being a Working Actor
Victoria Wood: ‘Giving Notes’
We were saddened by the death of Victoria Wood this week – she was a gleeful, mischievous presence on our screens for so many years, and will be sorely missed. Here's a reminder of her talent in her sketch included in the RSC's The Shakespeare Revue – appropriately enough as we commemorate the death of … Continue reading Victoria Wood: ‘Giving Notes’
‘Hockey sticks and navy knicks’: Kath Gotts on Crush: The Musical
When Kath Gotts and Maureen Chadwick started writing a musical about the pupils at an all-girls school rebelling against their tyrannical headmistress, they didn't know it would take decades to reach the stage. But when it finally opened in 2015, Crush was acclaimed as a hilarious blend of Malory Towers and St Trinian's – a family-friendly … Continue reading ‘Hockey sticks and navy knicks’: Kath Gotts on Crush: The Musical
Facing the Fear: Bella Merlin on overcoming stage fright
Stage fright afflicts many actors, and has the power to drive you away from the stage for months, years, or even a lifetime. In her new book, Facing the Fear: An Actor's Guide to Overcoming Stage Fright, performer, author and teacher Bella Merlin shows you how to meet the challenge – or simply how to … Continue reading Facing the Fear: Bella Merlin on overcoming stage fright
‘We see only what we want to see’: Simon McBurney on Complicite’s The Encounter
When actor and theatre-maker Simon McBurney first read Amazon Beaming – Petru Popescu's book about a National Geographic photographer, Loren McIntyre, who went into the rainforest to take photos of the rarely seen Mayoruna tribe, only to lose his way back – he knew he would one day attempt to stage it. But how? Twenty … Continue reading ‘We see only what we want to see’: Simon McBurney on Complicite’s The Encounter
‘Dare to fashion yourself’: Diane Samuels on her new play Poppy + George
Diane Samuels, author of the powerful modern classic Kindertransport, set out to write a new play about female pirates... and ended up with a beguiling romance about cross-dressing and music hall. Poppy + George, which opened at Watford Palace Theatre this month, is all about identity, she explains – do we let ourselves be shaped by … Continue reading ‘Dare to fashion yourself’: Diane Samuels on her new play Poppy + George
Out of the vault: highlights from VAULT Festival 2016
VAULT Festival is fast becoming one of the most exciting events on London's cultural calendar. Taking place each year in the vaults beneath Waterloo, this year's festival (running until 6 March) is host to over 100 events, from hard-hitting drama to comedy, dance, cabaret, installation, and of course late-night parties. This year Nick Hern Books … Continue reading Out of the vault: highlights from VAULT Festival 2016
‘The people loved her because she was one of them’: Jessica Swale on her play Nell Gwynn
Nell Gwynn rose from poverty to become the most celebrated actress of her day and a mistress of King Charles II. And now she is returning to the West End as the subject of Jessica Swale’s acclaimed play Nell Gwynn, first seen at Shakespeare's Globe in 2015 and to be revived at the Apollo Theatre … Continue reading ‘The people loved her because she was one of them’: Jessica Swale on her play Nell Gwynn
The Prompt Book 