CURRENCY PRESS
The performing arts publisher
STAGECRAFT
AUDITIONING BOOKS
PERFORMANCE MANUALS
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
BooKS
AuditioNiNg
Neil Bartlett women (played by the same actress), both
SOLO VOICES: MOnOLOguES of whom ‘lose’ their sons—one murdered,
1987–2004 the other a runaway. A vivid play with sharp
Neil Bartlett is one of British theatre’s most insights into lives lived near the top and bot-
fiercely individual voices, and this collection, tom of the heap. Catherine Johnson wrote
published for the first time, documents the the script for the hit Mamma Mia!.
extraordinary site-specific solo perform- Unsuspecting Susan by Stewart Permutt,
ances which have run parallel to Bartlett’s is the story of Susan—whose life revolves
acclaimed work as a mainstream director. around her dogs, am-dram, bell-ringing and
Beginning with a series of furious re- village gossip—and her adult son who has
sponses to the early days of the British AIDS converted to Islam.
crisis, the nine monologues collected here ‘A soft-spoken but tough piece for
provide an intimate insight into the devel- a world where everyone is suspect’
opment of a powerful and highly personal Sunday Times
theatrical vision. 85459 97 8
84002 465 8 Nick Hern Books, UK $29.95
Oberon Books, UK $39.95
Marina Caldarone
Moira Buffini & Anna THE gOOD AuDITIOn guIDE
Reynolds/Catherine Johnson/ Classical monologues for men and
Stewart Permutt women
SInguLAR FEMALE VOICES A new series offering fresh audition pieces
Three plays for for actors at all levels—selected and com-
one actress—all mentated by a greatly experienced teacher
featuring mothers and director. Marina Caldarone has selected
on the edge—a over forty-five monologues for men and
companion vol- women drawn from classical plays through-
ume to Singular out the ages and ranging across all of West-
Male Voices. ern theatre. Each piece is prefaced with a
Winner of boxed information panel guiding readers
the Writers Guild towards the perfect piece for them.
Award for Best These classical monologues are pre-
Fringe Play, Jordan sented chronologically and arranged within
by Moira Buffini one of seven periods: Ancient Greece and
and Anna Reynolds, Rome; Jacobean; French/Spanish ‘Golden
is the true story of Shirley Jones, who killed Ages’; Restoration; Naturalism; and the Turn
her baby boy, Jordan, rather than have him of the Century.
taken away by his abusive father. Anna Rey- 85459 869 4 (men)
nolds met Jones while they were serving 85459 870 8 (women)
sentences in the same prison. On her release, Nick Hern Books, UK $29.95
she co-wrote the play with Moira Buffini,
author of Dinner (2002), a National Theatre/
West End hit starring Harriet Walter.
The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret by Cath-
erine Johnson is the alternating story of two
dean Carey Shauna Crowley
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
THE ACTOR’S AuDITIOn THE SCREEn TEST HAnDBOOK
MAnuAL: Volume I This book outlines
The first edition of the television
The Actor’s Audi- audition process
tion Manual quick- and gives a selec-
ly became known tion of exercises
as the ‘red audi- for actors along
tion bible’, mak- with useful hints
ing it the essential for auditioning
guide. and preparation.
Now revised, it Includes excerpts
brings together a from soaps, films
wealth of practical and advertise-
advice and a fresh ments.
range of speeches 0 8689 227 9
from Australian Currency Press, Australia $24.95
plays that will help to make any audition
powerful and effective. Simon dunmore (Editor)
0 8689 56 2 ALTERnATIVE SHAKESPEARE
Currency Press, Australia $26.95 AuDITIOnS
Fifty unusual audi-
MASTERCLASS (WOMEn/MEn) tion speeches for
Over 00 monologues—from classics such women and men,
as Chekhov to moderns including Berkoff from overlooked
and Williamson—providing an arsenal of au- plays such as Co-
dition pieces for young actors. Outlines the riolanus, Pericles
essential acting components, illuminates and Love’s Labour’s
the creative process and presents a stimulat- Lost.
ing array of rehearsal room exercises. Each speech is
0 8689 44 X (women) accompanied by
0 8689 425 5 (men) a description of
Currency Press, Australia $26.95 the character and
the context plus
Cocteau/Feydeau notes on obscure
THIRTEEn MOnOLOguES phrases and references—all written from
Peter Meyer’s translations of these enter- the viewpoint of the auditioning actor.
taining and amusing monologues were 0 8689 56 8 (men)
commissioned by the BBC and performed 0 8689 566 9 (women)
by leading actors, including Eileen Atkins, Currency Press, Australia $26.95
Jill Bennett, Richard Briers, Judi Dench, Alec
McCowan and Timothy West. Peter Harness/owen McCafferty/
87025 962 9 Ronan o’donnell
Oberon Books, UK $26.95 SInguLAR MALE VOICES
Three plays for one male actor—each giving
voice to a character in extremis— a compan-
ion volume to Singular Female Voices.
In Mongoose by Peter Harness, Ted,
a lonely middle-aged farmer, is trying to
come to terms with the death of his lifelong
2
friend, who was a talking mongoose. Sitting Shaun McKenna (Editor)
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
amongst his junk and memories, he unfolds COnTEMPORARY MOnOLOguES
the disturbing story of how Mongoose first FOR YOung MEn AnD WOMEn
came to stay and how he changed Ted’s life A collection of speeches from plays written
forever. since 985, suitable for both teenagers and
‘Beautifully written ... tough, delicate young adults. The selections vary in content,
and cunningly structured’ Guardian tone and style, and are accompanied by a
In Cold Comfort by Owen McCafferty, a brief outline of the context and setting.
labourer living in London returns home to 84002 424 0
Belfast to have a last, drunken ‘conversation’ Oberon Books, UK $34.95
with his recently dead father.
And Brazil by Ronan O’Donnell heralds ‘an DuOLOguES FROM THE
impressive debut from a difficult, distinctive CLASSICS
new writer’ (Time Out). A collection of
‘It’s the near future and America is duologues for
at war with Europe ... Trapped in this men and women
disorientating world ... Doddy hares from the Greek,
around the depressed estates and Elizabethan, Jaco-
vast rubbish dumps that make up his bean, Restoration,
home town ... a promising new writer’ eighteenth and
The Times nineteenth cen-
85459 760 4 tury repertoires.
Nick Hern Books, UK $29.95 The selections vary
in content, tone
Brian McAvera and style and are
PICASSO’S WOMEn accompanied by a
Eight monologues in which the women in brief biography of
Picasso’s life, used and often abused by the each playwright. The compilation provides
great painter, tell their own stories. Illus- any performer with opportunities for explor-
trated by Una Walker. ing some of the most significant playwrights
in the classical repertoire. A companion vol-
‘Provides a fascinating sideways
ume to Monologues From the Classics.
look at the painter ... The plays are
84002 423 2
ingenious, poignant and absorbing.’
The Times Oberon Books, UK $32.95
87025 986 6
Oberon Books, UK $39.95 MOnOLOguES FROM THE
CLASSICS
Robert david Macdonald A companion volume to Duologues From
(translated and edited) the Classics.
gREAT SPEECHES FROM 84002 422 4
EuROPEAn DRAMA Oberon Books, UK $32.95
Includes speeches from Beaumarchais,
Dumas, Goethe, Goldoni, Hochhuth, Hof- SOLO SPEECHES FOR
mannsthal, Ibsen, Kraus, Lermontov, Moliere, (MEn/WOMEn) 1800–1914
Musset, Proust, Racine and Schiller, for both Two volumes of solo acting pieces from
men and women. the nineteenth and early twentieth century
84002 002 4 offering actors, teachers and students addi-
Oberon Books, UK $26.95 tional, lesser known material. The selections
include material suitable for teenagers as
well as for older performers. They range in
3
style from broad comedy to tragedy and Peter Mapleson
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
high drama, and include extracts from both AuDITIOnIng FOR MuSICALS
English and European plays. Practical advice for
84002 42 6 (men) actors, singers and
84002 420 8 (women) dancers planning
Oberon Books, UK $29.95 to audition for any
musical produc-
SOLO SPEECHES FOR unDER-12s tion—covering
Pieces for the under-2s, selected for their preparation, tech-
effectiveness in performance. Taken from nique, choice of
full-length plays for children, theatre-in- material, song re-
education programs and adaptations from hearsal, readings,
classic books and folk tales. improvisation and
84002 03 X what to expect on
Oberon Books, UK $23.95 the day.
08689 382 8
Frank McKone Currency Press, Australia $26.95
FIRST AuDITIOn
How to get into drama school Joanna Murray-Smith
First Audition will BOMBSHELLS
help drama stu- Bombshells ex-
dents make the poses six women
transition from balancing their
secondary school inner and outer
to the theatre- lives with humour
training world. and often desper-
Focusing on ate cunning. Rang-
auditions for ac- ing in age from a
tors, but provid- feisty teenager to
ing commentary a 64-year-old wid-
for technical and ow yearning for
management as- the unexpected,
pirants, this lively and informative manual these finely-drawn
consists of self-guided exercises following characters wrestle
the style and content of the audition train- with their fears and insecurities. The author
ing classes conducted by the author in his created these six dazzling monologues to
20-year drama teaching career. showcase the talents of Caroline O’Connor,
Includes extensive details of Australian but they will be relished by performers
tertiary theatre, drama and performing arts everywhere.
courses. ‘A rare combination of comedy, truth
0 8689 663 0 and rapture’ The Times
Currency Press, Australia $4.95 0 8689 75 3
Currency Press, Australia $2.95
Simon Reade/Alison Reid
(Editors)
EuROPEAn CLASSICS FOR
WOMEn
Monologues drawn from translations of
classic world drama from Euripides to Ibsen,
4
Lope de Vega to Strindberg, Racine and Mo- tony Woollams
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
liere to Pirandello. SCEnES FOR YOung ACTORS
0 94823 073 8 A scene study resource book
Oberon Books, UK $26.95 Invaluable for the
school classroom
Colin teevan as well as for ac-
MISSIng PERSOnS tors and acting
Four tragedies and Roy Keane students, with
A father denied over 50 scenes
access to his chil- from Australian
dren, a football- and New Zealand
er deserting his plays, consisting
team, a terrorist of duologues and
lost in the politics three-handers.
of peacetime. Five Guides the actor
powerful mono- through training,
logues in the voic- choosing a scene,
es of contempo- preparing for performance and interpret-
rary men, inspired ing a scene.
by the heroes and 0 8689 507 3
heroines of classi- Currency Press, Australia $26.95
cal myths.
‘Colin Teevan’s five monologues are Susannah York
so punchily written they come alive THE LOVES OF SHAKESPEARE’S
for today’ The Times WOMEn
84002 646 4 $24.95 Speeches and
Oberon Books, UK
sonnets from
Shakespeare’s fe-
Patrick tucker (Editor) male characters
on the theme of
FIRST FOLIO SPEECHES FOR love, including the
(MEn/WOMEn) famous speech by
These speeches from Shakespeare range
Juliet as well as less
from the most famous to the less familiar,
familiar speeches
and appear with exactly the same layout and
by women such
punctuation as when they were first printed
as Viola and Cres-
in 623. Accompanied by detailed notes on
sida. Threading
how to approach the text to achieve vivid-
the twenty or so
ness, style and emotional truth.
pieces together
84002 49 4 (men)
is a delightful but astute commentary
84002 48 6 (women)
Oberon Books, UK $24.95
by Susannah York on what makes each of
these women tick. This volume can form
the basis of lessons or auditions, or it can
be performed in toto as a one-woman
show—which Susannah York has done with
considerable success.
85459 639 X HB
Nick Hern Books, UK $34.95
5
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
PERFoRMANCE MAN
uALS/
StAgECRAFt BooKS
Michael Anderson interested in theatre and the power of the
SOLO spoken word.
A guidebook for individual 84002 60 4
performance Oberon Books, UK $49.95
With over 5 years Pub: September 2006
senior drama ex-
perience, Michael Marina Caldarone/
Anderson brings a Maggie Lloyd-Williams
wealth of knowl- ACTIOnS
edge to Solo which The actor’s thesaurus
has been designed A vital compan-
especially for stu- ion for actors in
dents doing an in- rehearsal. Actors
dividual perform- need actions. In
ance. The book order to perform
contains invaluable an action truth-
advice on how to fully and therefore
choose the right script and develop the convincingly, an
piece for performance. The unique element actor needs to find
of the book is the selection of scripts. This exactly the right
fresh and diverse range of Australian pieces action to suit that
(there are over 20 to choose from) suit the particular situation
format for the assessment and cover all and that particu-
levels of ability. lar line, and this is
0 8689 757 2 where the book is
Currency Press, Australia $29.95 most valuable—as
it is a thesaurus
Cicely Berry of active verbs, with which the actor can
WORD PLAY refine the action-word until she/he finds
A textual handbook for directors exactly the right one to help make the ac-
and actors tion come alive.
Cicely Berry is the most influential voice 85459 674 8
coach of our time. Since 969 she has been Nick Hern Books, UK $29.95
the voice coach at the Royal Shakespeare
Company and an inspiration to a generation
of actors. Her new book looks closely at the
interchange between sound and rhythm in
language, showing how it can change the
nuance of the meaning and take director,
actor and audience further into the world
of the play. Word Play is an essential book
for professionals and student actors as
well as an enlightening read for anyone
6
dymphna Callery Written in a casual and flowing style, this
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
THROugH THE BODY book explains who does what, clarifies the
A practical guide to physical theatre jargon and reveals the hard won tricks of
A pioneering guide the trade.
to the increasingly Covering all areas of the profession,
popular form of from what the network heads of drama
physical theatre. really think about actors, and why a good
Through the Body actor can do a bad audition, to how to beat
uses exercises to those unemployment blues, Racing Against
explore the theo- Time is essential reading for any actor, from
ries of key 20th newcomer to veteran.
century theatre 0 8689 772 6
practitioners such Currency Press, Australia $32.95
as Artaud and
Lecoq. Includes Lesley Christen
workshops on DRAMA SKILLS FOR LIFE
awareness, articu- A classic handbook for secondary school
lation, energy and mask-work. teachers presenting creative drama tech-
85459 630 6 niques to help students develop self-accept-
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95 ance and co-operation. Lessons combine
creative play, improvisation, mime and the
danielle Carter study of myths, literature and language.
RACIng AgAInST TIME 0 8689 328 3
The actor’s handbook for film and Currency Press, Australia $29.95
television
How do actors ivana Chubbuck
find their marks THE POWER OF THE ACTOR
without looking? The Chubbuck technique
What is continu- What do Brad Pitt,
ity and why is it Jon Voight, Charl-
important? What ize Theron, Eliza-
is an ECU, a CU and beth Shue, Jim Car-
an MCU? Where rey and Halle Berry
do you find your have in common?
pick-up time on They have all been
the call sheet, and taught by Ameri-
who do you tell if ca’s premier act-
you have to leave ing teacher, Ivana
the set? What is Chubbuck.
crossing the line, and how do you find your Based on the
key light? acting methods of
These and other mysteries of the film great masters such as Stanislavski, Hagen
and television actor’s craft are revealed and Meisner, Ivana Chubbuck’s technique
in this comprehensive guide by Danielle incorporates psychology and behavioural
Carter, an actor with over a decade of on- science. Through this book the actor learns
set experience. to truly find themselves within their char-
With invaluable contributions by lead- acter by endowing their situation and sur-
ing industry practitioners including Sigrid roundings with emotional resonances drawn
Thornton, Rebecca Gibney and Sue Masters, from their own experience.
Racing Against Time reveals how to act natu- The book also teaches the actor how
rally amid the storm of technical demands. to organically create sensations associated 7
with physical or emotional states such as technique and focus of the Australian actor
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
substance abuse, sexual chemistry, fear, dy- that has the entertainment world’s favour
ing and pregnancy. From the acting coach and respect?
with star power, this book will guide the Fourteen actors, a mixture of ages, back-
actor to dynamic and effective results. grounds and experiences, reveal their very
0 8689 779 3 personal views on craft, taking you inside
Currency Press, Australia $29.95 the experience of being an actor. The ac-
tors interviewed include: Bille Brown, Helen
orlanda Cook Buday, Joel Edgerton, Judi Farr, John Gaden,
SIngIng WITH YOuR OWn Wendy Hughes, Pamela Rabe, Geoffrey Rush
VOICE and Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell.
A comprehensive 0 8689 763 7
instruction man- Currency Press, Australia $34.95
ual, full of practi-
cal exercises on oliver Ford davies
how to liberate the PLAYIng LEAR
singing voice that A unique insight into Shakespeare’s most
is within each one monumentally complex character—and the
of us. play that bears his name—from a widely
Based firmly experienced actor and former academic.
on the author’s The seeds of this book were sown when the
extensive teach- renowned Almeida Theatre in London asked
ing experience all Oliver Ford Davies to play King Lear in their
over the world and 2002 production.
packed full of illustrations, this is the book More than a rehearsal diary, the book
for everyone who has always wanted to sing is a companion-guide to the whole notion
but has been too scared to try. of Lear.
85459 62 8 85459 698 5
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95 Nick Hern Books, UK $45.00
terence Crawford Anne dennis
TRADE SECRETS THE ARTICuLATE BODY
Australian actors and their craft The physical training of the actor
‘What is it This instructive
with you guys book shows how
and the great actors can use
actors? Can their body to be
you bottle as expressive and
that up? Give ‘articulate’ as they
us some of are with their
that water or voices.
something?’ The Articulate
Ron Howard, Body attempts to
uS director re-think and ana-
Australian actors lyse the actor’s
are now taking physical needs.
their place on the international stage, It offers a graded series of exercises to
becoming regulars among the nominees help actors gain the necessary physical skill,
and winners of major international acting imagination and confidence to use their
awards. So what is it about the approach, bodies as an expressive medium. The book
8
will inspire actors, teachers, directors, move- derstanding of particular points regarding
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
ment directors and choreographers. posture, gesture, costumes and mask.
85459 683 7 85459 466 4
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95 Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95
declan donnellan COMMEDIA PLAYS
THE ACTOR AnD THE TARgET A sequel to the best-selling Playing Comme-
A revised and up- dia, this is a collection of short Commedia
dated edition of dell’Arte plays, sketches and exercises for use
Declan Donnellan’s in the classroom and drama workshop. The
fresh and radical first section contains eight short plays each
approach to acting. illustrating the different periods and styles
Rooted in modern of Commedia dell’Arte. The second section
theatre, modern is a compilation of ‘Lazzi’—the set-pieces of
psychology and Commedia dell’Arte such as ‘The Aside’ and
modern reality, ‘The Chase’. Each of the pieces is suitable for
Donnellan’s prac- performance on stage and may also be used
tical book helps in the classroom or workshop for study or as
actors to release the basis for improvisations.
their talent and to 85459 87 6
be free on stage. Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95
‘Donnellan’s directing style is
immediately recognisable in his book, Peter Hall
drenched in the spirit of artistic and EXPOSED BY THE MASK
personal freedom. Unpretentious, Form and language in drama
straightforward, and pierced with In this book, Sir Pe-
acute insight...’ Kommersant ter Hall ranges over
85459 838 4 the extraordinary
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95 history of world
drama to find the
Barry grantham common experi-
PLAYIng COMMEDIA ences that are able
A training guide to Commedia to create the the-
techniques atrical form. This
Playing Commedia series of four lec-
offers a practical tures, delivered at
guide to the skills, Trinity College in
characters and his- Cambridge as part
tory of Commedia of the famed Clark
dell’Arte through lectures, reveal a lifetime’s discoveries about
graded games and classical theatre, Shakespeare, opera and
illustrated exer- modern drama.
cises. It provides a 84002 82 9
useful tool in any Oberon Books, UK $26.95
actor’s training
and a discipline for
all forms of physi-
cal theatre.
Illustrations drawn from 6th and 7th
century sources are used alongside the
author’s own diagrams to enrich our un- 9
SHAKESPEARE’S ADVICE TO THE and drama workshop leaders. Following on
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
PLAYERS from Keith Johnstone’s famous Impro and
‘You can’t Augusto Boal’s Games for Actors and Non-
improvise this Actors, Chris Johnston’s book provides ideas
shit’. dustin and guidance for drama groups of all kinds.
Hoffman 85459 905 4
In this unique Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95
guide to speaking
and understand- THE IMPROVISATIOn gAME
ing Shakespeare’s Discovering the secrets of
verse, Peter Hall spontaneous performance
uses his extensive In his new book, Johnston wants us to con-
directorial experi- sider improvisation not as a step towards
ence to help the something else but as an end in itself. And so
reader and actor he embarks on a journey through the world
discover the clues within the text. of improvisation: in theatre, dance, music or
84002 4 9 $32.95 any mix of these.
Oberon Books, UK He talks to forty or so key practitioners
in the field—and passes on many of the
Barbara Houseman techniques, tricks and games they use to try
FInDIng YOuR VOICE to stay permanently fresh and to avoid fall-
A step-by-step guide for actors ing into what they see as the trap of routine,
A self-help manual for actors who want to repetition and the pre-rehearsed event.
train and develop their voice. Opening with Chris Johnston has been active in drama
helpful advice on how to use the book and for over 25 years and has worked with groups
how to prepare our bodies, the author then of all kinds from prisoners to old-age pen-
takes us step-by-step through the elements sioners, from youth clubs to professional
that make up the voice and the sounds we actors.
make with it. 85459 668 3
85459 659 4 Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95
Mark Kilmurry
Chris Johnston THE Hamlet DIARY
HOuSE OF gAMES Shakespeare’s play from conception
Making theatre from everyday life to opening night
When Mark Kil-
Revised edition
murry co-founded
of this treasure
the Studio Com-
trove of drama
pany with Patrick
games and exer-
McIntyre, he had
cises, published
the opportunity
alongside the au-
to play the part he
thor’s new book on
had always ached
the same subject,
to perform: Ham-
The Improvisation
let. But preparing
Game.
for the production
House of
he begins to won-
Games has proved
der if it is foolhar-
itself an im-
dy. Can he take on
mensely valuable such a mammoth role and also direct?
resource for teachers, theatre directors
0 In this diary, Mark shares his thoughts
from the inception of the idea through to directors and details of instructional and
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
opening night. He explains the rationale educational videos.
behind Studio Company/Riverside Theatres’ 85459 425 7
acclaimed 2004 production, the how and Nick Hern Books, UK $59.95
why of the cuts to the script and describes
the rehearsal techniques and exercises that graeme Leak
bring it all to life. The Hamlet Diary also in- PERFORMAnCE MAKIng
cludes sketches for the costume and lighting A manual for music workshops
design and the text as performed. ‘Music doesn’t
A moving and illuminating account of come from
the trials and triumphs of producing Hamlet m u s i c a l
from a gifted actor, writer and director. instruments,
0 8689 785 8 it comes from
Currency Press, Australia $29.95 the musician’s
body.’ graeme
Jarmila Kröschlová Leak
MOVEMEnT THEORY AnD Graeme Leak is a
PRACTICE performer/teacher
Movement Theory and Practice is a defini- who has conduct-
tive text for use by teachers and students ed workshops all
of dance, gymnastics, mime or any activity around the coun-
that benefits from an understanding of try and his unique ‘performance making’
movement principles, written by one of process builds musical skills and imagina-
Europe’s great teachers renowned for her tion, transforming students into compos-
unique holistic approach to her art. er–performers.
Translated/edited by Olga Malandris and Featuring illustrations, course plans
Zora Šemberová. and a handy glossary, Performance Making
‘An essential guide and instruction is an inspiring guide to teaching musical
tool for all students/teachers/ performance skills and will be of value not
choreographers of dance and only to musicians and singers, but also ac-
movement.’ Meryl tankard tors, dancers and other performers wanting
0 8689 577 4 to improve their skills in music.
Currency Press, Australia $49.95 0 8689 673 8
Currency Press, Australia $24.95
Richard Lane
SWASHBuCKLIng Kristen Linklater
How to stage a fight FREEIng THE nATuRAL VOICE
The ultimate guide Freeing the Natural Voice offers a logical pro-
to stage fighting gression of exercises designed for profes-
technique and sional and student actors, teachers of acting
basic swordplay. and voice, and everyone interested in vocal
In words and over expression. The emphasis is on the removal
400 pictures, it of the physical and psychological blocks that
covers everything inhibit the human voice; its objective is that
an actor must do the voice is brought into direct contact with
to give a perform- the emotions, shaped by the intellect but
ance as a stage not restricted by it.
combatant. First published in 976, Freeing the
Covers weaponry, defence and attack Natual Voice is one of the best-known voice
techniques, unarmed combat, foot work, books in the world written by a doyenne
warm-up exercises, working with fight of the RSC and the New York theatre; this
revised and expanded edition incorporates THE COMPLETE STAnISLAVSKY
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
further exercises developed over the past TOOLKIT
three decades. This comprehensive introduction to Sta-
85459 97 2 nislavsky is organised into three sections:
Nick Hern Books, UK $49.95 Training; Rehearsal and Performance. Each
Pub: April 2007 section offers definitions of the key terms
found in Stanislavsky’s teaching, illustrated
Adam Macaulay with quotations and examples from Stanis-
lavsky’s own work.
DOn’T TELL ME, SHOW ME
A final section offers a series of exercises
Directors talk about acting
to help today’s actors practise using each of
A collection of
the ‘tools’ in turn.
informal inter-
These include techniques such as given
views with Aus-
circumstances, the magic ‘if’ and emotion
tralian directors
memory, which have made Stanislavsky
of stage, film and
famous the world over, but also some fifty
TV, talking about
others introduced one by one as they might
actors and acting.
become useful in the process of building a
An intelligent and
performance.
enlightening com-
The Complete Stanislavsky Toolkit brings
mentary on acting
together in one volume for the first time all
in Australia today,
the terms and ideas explored and modified
this book helps as-
by Stanislavsky throughout his life from the
piring actors and
early 890s until his death in 938.
students of acting develop their craft.
Directors interviewed include: John Bell, 85459 793 0
Bruce Beresford, Di Drew, Gale Edwards, Bar- Nick Hern Book, UK $39.95
rie Kosky and Kate Woods. Pub: April 2007
0 8689 669 X
Currency Press, Australia $29.95 Nick Moseley
ACTIng AnD REACTIng
A brand new actor-training system devel-
Bella Merlin
oped by the Head of Acting at the Italia
BEYOnD STAnISLAVSKY Conti Academy. Nick Moseley takes the best
The psycho-physical approach to of Stanislavsky, David Mamet and Sanford
actor training Meisner to fuel his own intensely practical
After developing the principle that truth- approach. The result is a punchy and empow-
ful performance can only spring from the ering book intended to shake up ideas about
actor’s imagination and experience, Stanis- acting. Each theory is tested and reinforced
lavsky began to explore how physical actions with games and exercises which stretch and
can induce emotions. This approach was challenge the student actor at each stage.
called psycho-physical acting.
85459 803
Today, this technique is well known in
Nick Hern Books, UK $34.95
Russia, but less so in the west.
An inspiring handbook written by Bella
Merlin, who has studied under three of Rus-
sia’s leading teachers.
85459 63 6
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95
2
Jean Newlove Bill Pepper
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
LABAn FOR ACTORS AnD VOICE In ACTIOn DVD
DAnCERS A step-by step guide to freeing your
A handbook, complete with guided exercises voice
and diagrams, for teachers and students A series of easy
seeking an introduction to Laban’s famous to follow, dynamic
system of movement. Written by Laban’s exercises for ac-
first assistant in England. tors, teachers, stu-
85459 60 6 dents, presenters,
Nick Hern Books, UK $34.95 announcers, lec-
turers, and anyone
Jean Newlove and John dalby who wishes to de-
LABAn FOR ALL velop the freedom
A simplified ver- of their voice and
sion of Rudolf La- improve commu-
ban’s system for nication skills.
analysing—and Bill Pepper is Head of Voice Studies at
annotating—the NIDA.
way the human be- ‘Unaffected, practically based on
ing moves. It can good commonsense… excellent
be used by rela- introduction for beginners… a
tive beginners up- reminder and warm-up instrument
wards. The reader for old troupers… every actor should
is introduced to have a copy’ John Bell, actor and
the language and director
terms of Laban,
0 97574 830 0
with each new concept accompanied by very
Currency Press, Australia $49.95
specific, clearly illustrated exercises. Once
the basic vocabulary has been explained, its Richard Pilbrow
expressive possibilities in drama and dance STAgE LIgHTIng DESIgn
are further explored. The most comprehensive book on stage
The result is a thorough and thoroughly lighting yet published—by one of the most
practical grounding in the most significant respected lighting designers in the world.
movement system of modern times. Covering the principles of design, history,
85459 725 6 the life of a designer and technical informa-
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95 tion, this new bible of stage lighting is fully
illustrated with over 500 photos, designs
and lighting plots.
gail Pallin
85459 273 4 (HB)
STAgE MAnAgEMEnT Nick Hern Books, UK $89.95
The essential handbook
An intensely practical ‘how to’ book for Paul Ranger
all aspiring stage managers—written by MEAnIng, FORM AnD
a professional-turned-teacher. Charts and PERFORMAnCE
helpful checklists are included. This book is invaluable for anyone interested
85459 734 5 in the nature of performing. It tackles the
Nick Hern Books, UK $45.00 specifics of speaking prose, lyrical and narra-
tive verse, sonnets, performing Shakespeare
and reading aloud.
87025 974 2
Oberon Books, UK $29.95 3
david Roland which can be used to produce any accent
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
THE COnFIDEnT PERFORMER required. The book is broken down into
A guide for pre- clear sections, with instructions given in
paring mentally a straightforward, jargon-free and often
and physically to humorous way. Numerous illustrations
achieve a great and a CD containing vocal exercises help
performance. Suit- the reader get to grips with the physical
able for actors, demands of producing accents.
singers, dancers, 84002 600 6
musicians, come- Oberon Books, UK $45.00
dians and people
involved in pub- Antony Sher
lic speaking, live YEAR OF THE KIng
broadcasting, sell-
‘One of the
ing, taking exams
finest books I
or going for a job interview.
have ever read
0 8689 493 X
on the process
Currency Press, Australia $24.95 of acting’ Time
Out
Bruce g. Shapiro Antony Sher’s
SPEAKIng AMERICAn stunning per-
The Australian actor’s guide to an formance for
American dialect the Royal Shake-
A simple and ac- speare Company
curate guide to as a Richard III on
speaking in a Gen- crutches—the so-
eral American (Ge- called ‘bottled spi-
nAm) dialect. Cov- der’—won him many awards. The Year of the
ers pronunciation, King records—in his own words and draw-
intonation, Ameri- ings—the making of this historic theatrical
can lingo, phonet- event. This new edition is published to mark
ics and practical the 20th anniversary of the premiere and inc-
exercises, as well ludes a new introduction in which Sher looks
as phrases useful back somewhat bemusedly at how much has
for improvisation happened to him and to the world in the
work. With CD. intervening years.
0 8689 62 6
85459 753
Currency Press, Australia $32.95
Nick Hern Books, UK $32.95
Eda Sharpe and Jan Haydn
Rowles
HOW TO DO AnY ACCEnT
The essential handbook for every
actor
The authors of this handbook, voice coaches
who have worked with the RSC (Royal Shake-
speare Company) and LAMDA (the London
Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), take
an innovative approach to the production of
accents, building up a series of techniques
4
Henri Szeps for B Sharp at Belvoir St Theatre, In Good
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
ALL In gOOD TIMIng Company covers everything from company
A personal account of what an actor formation, finding the right venue, schedul-
does ing, marketing, publicity, bankrolling your
Henri Szeps’ pas- production, planning the bump in/out,
sion for acting is previews, opening nights, running a season,
infectious. Here contracts, copyright, how to find people and
he shares 30 years scripts, and also explores ways to extend
of acting experi- the life of a production. In Good Company
ence and divulges outlines how to take an initial idea and
his personal view make it fly.
of what good act- o 8689 753 X
ing is all about Currency Press, Australia $32.95
and what makes
us laugh. Harriet Walter
0 8689 484 0 OTHER PEOPLE’S SHOES
Currency Press, Thoughts on acting
Australia $24.95 Harriet Walter is known in Australia for
her roles as Amy in Unfinished Business,
Stephen unwin and Harriet Vane in the Lord Peter Wimsey
SO YOu WAnT TO BE A series—both of which have screened on
DIRECTOR? ABC TV.
A hands-on, step-by-step guide to directing Other People’s Shoes is an updated pa-
plays by one of Britain’s leading theatre di- perback edition of her wonderfully practi-
rectors. Stephen Unwin is an award-winning cal— and personal—introduction to acting.
director and has worked with hundreds of ‘Acting is what I do with who I am’, writes
different actors in a multiplicity of differ- Harriet, and in this book she takes us step
ent venues. As he says, ‘directing plays is by step through the processes involved in
difficult’, and the aim of his book is to lay performance. Each step of the way is illu-
out what skills are needed, and to give some minated with brilliantly precise examples
sense of how those skills can be developed. drawn from her own experience.
85459 779 5 ‘Buy it, and be delightfully and
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95 unhectoringly informed about
exactly what it is that actors get up
Lyn Wallis to and why ... Harriet Walter is sharp,
In gOOD COMPAnY clear, elegant, sturdily sensitive.’
A manual for producing Simon Callow, Observer
independent theatre 85459 75 5
The definitive Nick Hern Books, UK $32.95
‘rough guide’ for
mounting inde-
pendent, fringe
and amateur thea-
tre, In Good Com-
pany is a ‘nuts and
bolts’ manual for
theatre-makers.
Written by Lyn
Wallis, Downstairs
Theatre Director
5
Pat Wilson
STAGECRAFT, AUDITIONING BOOKS & PERFORMANCE MANUALS FROM CURRENCY PRESS
THE SIngIng VOICE
A concise, helpful
diStRiButioN
and funny account
of what a singer AuSTRALIA/nEW ZEALAnD
must do in order UniRepS
to survive. Full of University of NSW, Sydney NSW
good advice on 2052 Australia
how to maintain Tel: (02) 9385 050
your voice, face an Fax: (02) 9385 055
audition, prepare Email: orders.press@unsw.edu.au
for a performance Website: www.unireps.com.au
and live a healthy
lifestyle.
0 8689 494 8
uSA/CAnADA
Antipodes Books & Beyond
Currency Press, Australia $24.95
Ltd
9707 Fairway Avenue, Silver Spring
John Wright MD 2090–300 USA
WHY IS THAT SO FunnY? Tel: (30) 602 959
A practical guide to physical Fax: (30) 565 060
comedy Email: customerservice
An intensely prac- @antipodesbooks.com
tical guide to Website: www.antipodesbooks.com
physical comedy
by a well-respected
practitioner and
uK/EuROPE
teacher. John
Gazelle Book Services
White Cross Mills, Hightown,
Wright, founder
Lancaster LA 4XS UK
of Trestle Thea-
Tel: (0) 524 68765
tre and Told by an
Fax: (0) 524 63232
Idiot (UK), brings a
Email: sales@gazellebooks.co.uk
wide range of ex-
Website: www.gazellebooks.co.uk
perience of physi-
cal comedy to this
unique exploration Currency Press is the Australian
of comedy and comedic techniques. distributor for Nick Hern Books and
The book opens with an analysis of oberon Books, two leading inde-
the different kinds of laughter that can be pendent performing arts publishers
provoked by performance. This is followed from the UK.
by the main part of the book: games and
exercises devised to demonstrate and inves- For more information, please see
tigate the whole range of comic possibilities their websites or contact Currency
open to a performer. Press for copies of their catalogues:
85459 782 5 www.nickhernbooks.co.uk
Nick Hern Books, UK $39.95
www.oberonbooks.com
6
C U R R E N C Y P R E S S
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PO Box 2287, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Australia
Tel: 61 (0) 2 9319 5877
Fax: 61 (0) 2 9319 3649
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Updated October 2006