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
Great new American drama to celebrate
As part of our celebration of American drama this month, we're taking a look at five new titles from our US partners, Theatre Communications Group, all of which are now available direct from Nick Hern Books. They include a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, a dark new comedy from the revered author of August: Osage County, a … Continue reading Great new American drama to celebrate
‘For agents to do their job well, you have to play your part too’ – JBR on making the most of the actor-agent relationship
Whatever stage an actor is at in their career, few relationships will be so vital as the one with their agent. And yet despite this, there's still a certain amount of mystery around exactly how agents operate, what their role is, and how to attract and work with them successfully. Here, JBR – who has seen … Continue reading ‘For agents to do their job well, you have to play your part too’ – JBR on making the most of the actor-agent relationship
‘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
‘You can really recreate the thrill of making theatre’ – Ian Higham on directing The Weir online
When the COVID-19 pandemic first forced theatres to close their doors back in March 2020, it wasn't just professional venues that were affected; many hundreds of amateur groups and organisations were suddenly thrown into darkness, too. And as the lockdown stretched out longer than any of us first thought it would, these passionate, dedicated, community-based … Continue reading ‘You can really recreate the thrill of making theatre’ – Ian Higham on directing The Weir online
‘We hold on to hope for a better future’ – Matt Applewhite looks back on 2020
Unprecedented, extraordinary, difficult, relentless, seemingly unending... however you choose to describe it, one thing's for sure: thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has been one hell of a year. For a theatre publisher like Nick Hern Books, nine months with a shuttered arts industry has been a challenge that's forced us to adapt and find … Continue reading ‘We hold on to hope for a better future’ – Matt Applewhite looks back on 2020
‘I’ve vowed to keep on telling my story’ – Nathaniel Hall on First Time and tackling HIV stigma
In Nathaniel Hall's hilarious and heartbreaking solo show First Time – a hit at Edinburgh Fringe 2019 and on its UK tour, and now available in print – the theatre-maker and activist draws on his own life story to smash through the stigma and shame of HIV, and present an uplifting and inspirational guide to staying … Continue reading ‘I’ve vowed to keep on telling my story’ – Nathaniel Hall on First Time and tackling HIV stigma
‘Sometimes we all need to colour outside of the lines’: Paul Kalburgi on The Writer’s Toolkit
Whilst it can be hugely freeing, empowering and rewarding, every writer knows that writing can also sometimes be a tough and frustrating process. Whether you're trying to crack a problem on a script, come up with a new idea or find the inspiration to start anything at all, sometimes writers need something to kickstart their … Continue reading ‘Sometimes we all need to colour outside of the lines’: Paul Kalburgi on The Writer’s Toolkit
All the way from America – great new drama to discover and enjoy
For over thirty years, we've been proud to partner with Theatre Communications Group, North America’s largest independent trade publisher of dramatic literature, to distribute their books throughout the UK and Europe. To celebrate the arrival of another batch of fantastic American drama – all now available to order – we're taking this opportunity to introduce … Continue reading All the way from America – great new drama to discover and enjoy
‘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 Prompt Book 