Books published by Nick Hern Books

An arresting and angry look at conflict and its effect on soldiers returning home.

Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel is a multi-award-winning play about the empowerment of Esther, a seamstress in 1905 New York who creates exquisite lingerie for both Fifth Avenue boudoirs and Tenderloin bordellos.

The definitive guide to designing for theatre - by an award-winning designer with over 160 productions to his name.

An enchanting, brutal vampire myth and coming-of-age love story, adapted from the best-selling novel and award-winning film.

A vivid telling of the chaotic story of the partition that shaped the modern world.

A truthful, personal and insightful exploration of the state of arts funding and carrying on in the face of adversity, by the renowned founder of Out of Joint. One March morning, out of the blue, Max Stafford-Clark learned that the Arts Council had drastically cut their grant to his theatre company, Out of Joint, leaving it in danger of imminent collapse. Journal of the Plague Year is his account of what happened next, as he sets out to contest the cut, make the case for public funding of the arts, and continue producing the work for which he and his company are renowned. Max's journal often takes on an autobiographical flavour, including the unexpectedly moving story of his two fathers, his surreal encounter with the New York theatre world, and the shocking details of what it is to suffer a massively debilitating stroke. By turns funny, alarming and deeply personal, Journal of the Plague Year offers a fascinating expose of the often Kafkaesque workings of arts subsidy in England, and the financial and artistic manoeuvrings which are a fact of life for every arts organisation today. It is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the state of our arts, from students to theatregoers, and from struggling arts workers right up to the Secretary of State for Culture. 'Fascinating... reads like an unpublished work by Franz Kafka... both horrifying and startling' British Theatre Guide

A compelling and lyrical tale of the desires and loyalties of women in an American wilderness.

George Eliot's great novel in a new and superlative three-part adaptation for the stage.

One of the great collaborative works of the Jacobean age, issued alongside a major revival by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

A searing new play by a Bruntwood Prize-winning playwright.

A play about what happens when you push things underground.

A love story about transition, testosterone, and James Dean. Part of the National Theatre Connections Festival 2014.

A frank and funny new play about friendship, feminism and what it means to be successful.

An intense real-life thriller centered around the most important weather forecast in the history of warfare.

A touching, funny play about what happens when you hate your best friend, from the acclaimed writer of Cock.

Drawing on his lifetime career in front of the camera (and sometimes behind it), Denis Lawson offers a wonderfully accessible introduction to acting for film and TV. For the young actor hoping to break into the industry - whether in a drama series, soap or sitcom - this book is the ultimate insider's guide. The author takes us on a guided tour of the film or TV set from day one. We meet the various members of the crew, from the director of photography to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs, and learn what each of them does - and how to get the most from them in your work as an actor. Then comes the actual business of shooting the scenes, beginning with readthroughs and rehearsals (if there are any), on to hitting your mark and getting your eye-line right, finishing with the actor's involvement in post-production. Throughout, Lawson takes the actor's point of view, offering encouragement and enlightenment, as well as being refreshingly candid about some of the more inane procedures. Above all, he offers a magnificent array of tips and inside knowledge for coping with what can be a daunting experience for a hopeful young actor. 'Denis is a great actor and he's always been my inspiration, since I was a child... He's the only person really in the world who I discuss acting with if I feel that I'm stuck. I love watching him still.' Ewan McGregor

Two of the biggest musical-theatre stars working today answer questions submitted by the public on a wide range of theatrical topics. A message from LOUISE and MARK... This is the book for anyone who's seen a show and thought: 'That could be me...' That's what we used to think growing up, dreaming of working in musical theatre. Now, after years of hard work, we've been lucky enough to star in some amazing shows, including Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Ghost: The Musical, Evita and Cats. We've picked up lots of tips from other performers, and have developed our own strategies and solutions too. In this book, using this knowledge and our experiences, we want to draw back the curtain and shine a spotlight onto how you can follow in our footsteps. What makes our book really different (and useful) is that we asked our fans worldwide to submit questions - and thank you to the hundreds of you who did. Dozens of these questions are featured here, covering every aspect of the industry: What is it like training at drama school? How can I improve my vocal range? How do I prepare for an audition? How should I find and select an agent? How do I deal with rejection? How can I progress from the ensemble to a leading role? This is a tough and competitive business, but passion, determination, a clued-up approach - and this book - will help see you through. Read it to discover the secrets you need to know, and we hope that one day soon, up on stage, it will be you.

A viciously funny play about a couple trapped in a destructive and violent cycle of love and lust. Winner of the 2013 Verity Bargate Award for Best New Play.

A hilarious city comedy by the authors of A Mad World, My Masters and The Shoemaker's Holiday.

A captivating, darkly comic play that questions what it means to be human.

An insightful play that studies the challenges we face in a foreign land, and where or to whom we belong.

An updated edition of the smash-hit debut play from the author of Jerusalem.

debbie tucker green's play nut premiered at the National Theatre's temporary venue The Shed in October 2013.

An urgent and explosive new play that explores of the pressures on young people today in the wake of advancing technology.

A witty and heartfelt look at a family falling apart and pulling together when life doesn't turn out quite the way they imagined.

A dark and uncompromising play about romance, expectation and mortality, James Fritz's Ross & Rachel takes an unflinching look at the myths of modern love. Premiered as part of the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

A remarkable first play from an exciting new voice in theatre, making her London debut.