Arts / Performing arts / Acting & Auditioning

Derek Jacobi on Malvolio (Shakespeare on Stage)

by Derek Jacobi & Julian Curry

In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes, recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare’s major roles. They discuss their character,...

Rebecca Hall on Rosalind (Shakespeare on Stage)

by Rebecca Hall & Julian Curry

In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes, recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare’s major roles. They discuss their character,...

Ralph Fiennes on Coriolanus (Shakespeare on Stage)

by Ralph Fiennes & Julian Curry

In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes, recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare’s major roles. They discuss their character,...

Judi Dench on Juliet (Shakespeare on Stage)

by Judi Dench & Julian Curry

In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes, recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare’s major roles. They discuss their character,...

Brian Cox on Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare on Stage)

by Brian Cox & Julian Curry

In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes, recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare’s major roles. They discuss their character,...

Shakespeare on Stage: Thirteen Leading Actors on Thirteen Key Roles

by Julian Curry & Trevor Nunn

Thirteen leading actors take us behind the scenes, each recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare’s major roles.

• Brian Cox on Titus Andronicus in Deborah Warner’s visceral RSC production...

Jude Law on Hamlet (Shakespeare on Stage)

by Jude Law & Julian Curry

In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes, recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare’s major roles. They discuss their character,...

ACT Now!: A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Working Actor

by Peter Jazwinski

So, you want to be an actor . . . but you have no idea how to get started. In the pages of Act Now!, you’ll find a step-by-step process to show you not only how to get started, but also how to become a working...

Acting: The First Six Lessons: Documents from the American Laboratory Theatre

by Richard Boleslavsky & Rhonda Blair

Acting: The First Six Lessons was first published in 1933 and remains a key text for anyone studying acting today. These dramatic dialogues between teacher and idealistic student explore the field of acting...

Stella Adler - The Art of Acting: Preface by Marlon Brando Compiled & Edited by Howard Kissel

by Howard Kissel & Stella Adler

(Applause Books). Stella Adler was one of the 20th Century's greatest figures. She is arguably the most important teacher of acting in American history. Over her long career, both in New York and Hollywood,...

Acting in Film: An Actor's Take on Movie Making

by Michael Caine

(Applause Books). A master actor who's appeared in an enormous number of films, starring with everyone from Nicholson to Kermit the Frog, Michael Caine is uniquely qualified to provide his view of making movies....

The Stanislavski System: The Professional Training of an Actor; Second Revised Edition

by Sonia Moore & John Gielgud

This clearly written guide to the Stanislavski method has long been a favorite among students and teachers of acting. Now, in light of books and articles recently published in the Soviet Union, Sonia Moore has...

To the Actor: On the Technique of Acting

by Michael Chekhov & Mala Powers

Michael Chekhov's classic work To the Actor has been revised and expanded by Mala Powers to explain, clearly and concisely, the essential techniques for every actor from developing a character to strengthen...

King Solomon's Ring

by Konrad Lorenz

Solomon, the legend goes, had a magic ring which enabled him to speak to the animals in their own language. Konrad Lorenz was gifted with a similar power of understanding the animal world. He was that rare beast,...

Eleanor Parker: Woman of a Thousand Faces

by Doug McClelland

This is the first book on enduring Hollywood star Eleanor Parker, long underrated despite three best actress Academy Award nominations (Caged, 1950; Detective Story, 1951; Interrupted Melody, 1955).

Parker was...

The Golden Rules of Acting

by Andy Nyman

A treasure trove of advice, support and encouragement that no performer should be without. Honest, witty and direct, The Golden Rules of Acting is every actor’s best friend – in handy paperback form.

‘When...

The Acting Book

by John Abbott

A ‘fast-forward’ acting course covering all the essential techniques an actor needs to know and use – with a suite of exercises to put each technique into practice.

The Acting Book offers various ways to...

The Actor and the Target

by Declan Donnellan

A fresh and radical approach to acting by a world-famous director.

'This new "Advice to the Players" cuts open every generalisation about acting and draws out gleamingly fresh specifics. Behind the joy and humour...

Drama Games for Classrooms and Workshops

by Jessica Swale

101 great drama games for use in any classroom or workshop setting. Part of the NHB Drama Games series.

A dip-in, flick-through, quick-fire resource book, packed with 101 lively drama games suitable for players...

Shakespeare Monologues for Women

by Luke Dixon

Full of fresh speeches from Shakespeare’s plays, this is the ideal guide for actors of all ages and experience. As an actor at any level you are likely to be called upon to perform a speech from Shakespeare....