Speaking Shakespeare - Hardcover

"As a teacher of Shakespeare, I have searched for years for a text that is readable, practical, illuminating and joyful. Finally, with "Speaking Shakespeare," I have found it. In the words of my students, 'I love reading this book. I feel like I'm happening on some untold secret, and every note Rodenburg gives us is a clue on how to be great.'" --Janet B. Rodgers, Virginia Commonwealth University, in "American Theatre,,"."an excellent resource...there are gems in this book for novices and veterans alike."--Jeff Crockett, "Dramatics""I am an enormous fan of her work. What is wonderful about her is the directness and clarity of her teaching and her enthusiasm."--Judi Dench"Patsy Rodenburg is one of the best teachers I have known; she is a constant source of strength and inspiration."--Antony Sher.,."rich with information and nicely focused. Recommended..."--"Library Journal"Other praise for Patsy Rodenburg: "In Rodenburg's capable hands, Shakespeare's complicated words and ideas become completely clear."--"Publishers Weekly" (starred review) "Patsy Rodenburg is the most respected voice coach in Britain...a dynamo of thoughts, suggestions and exercises. . . Ms. Rodenburg's work is never theoretical, always practical..."--Mel Gussow, "The New York Times""Seven steps to a thespian heaven. . . "The Actor Speaks "is a stimulating read and an invaluable reference for all actors. It could well become a landmark book."--"The Stage"

"You can't act Shakespeare until you can speak him." These words inform every page of "Speaking Shakespeare," Patsy Rodenburg tackles one of the most difficult jobs an actor can take on: speaking Shakespeare on the stage both as his words were meant to be spoken as well as in an understandable and dramatic way that projects the reality of the character. Patsy calls this book "a simple manual to start the journey into the heart of Shakespeare." She begins with the "givens" of speaking verse. She then moves on to the rehearsal of leading Shakespeare roles from "Hamlet, King Lear, Richard III, Macbeth" and others. Like" The Actor Speaks," this will be a book every working actor will need to have. Speaking Shakespeare is a passionate book about how one properly plays the characters of the most well-known playwright in the English language and that passion is encompassed in another rule she passes on to her students and readers.