Books published by Nick Hern Books

Why does Shakespeare write in the way he does? And how can actors and directors get the most out of his incomparable plays? In Speaking the Speech, Giles Block - 'Master of the Words' at Shakespeare's Globe - sets out to answer these two simple questions. The result is the most authoritative, most comprehensive book yet written on speaking Shakespeare's words. Throughout the book, the author subjects Shakespeare's language to rigorous examination, illuminating his extraordinary ability to bring his characters to life by a simple turn of phrase, a breath or even a pause. Block shows how we can only fully understand these characters, and the meaning of the plays, by speaking the words out loud. Drawing on characters from across all of Shakespeare's plays - and looking in detail at Macbeth, The Winter's Tale, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing - Block covers everything the actor needs to know, including: the essential distinctions between prose, rhymed verse and unrhymed verse, and the different strategies to be used when speaking them; the difference between 'you' and 'thou'; Shakespeare's use of silence; and the vital importance of paying attention to Shakespeare's 'original' punctuation. Speaking the Speech is a book for actors and directors who want to improve their understanding of Shakespeare's language in order to speak it better. It is also a fascinating read for anyone who wants to deepen their appreciation of Shakespeare's language and the way it comes to life when spoken aloud. 'We call Giles our 'Text Guru' at the Globe, partly in jest, and partly out of respect for the depth of his knowledge, the gentleness of his teaching, and the sudden illuminations he can throw across a play. If this book can afford even a small part of the pleasure and insight Giles can provide in person, then it will be a great asset.' Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director, Shakespeare's Globe 'Giles deepened my love for Shakespeare and for the way we all speak. I trust you will have a similar experience reading his book.' Mark Rylance, from his Foreword

A woman seeks revenge when the man she believes to have been her torturer happens to re-enter her life. Years have passed since political prisoner, Paulina, suffered at the hands of her captor: a man whose face she never saw, but whom she can still recall with terrifying clarity. Tonight, by chance, a stranger arrives at the secluded beach house she shares with her husband Gerardo, a human rights lawyer. A stranger Paulina is convinced was her tormentor and must now be held to account... Ariel Dorfman's play premiered at the Royal Court in 1991, and is now recognised as a modern classic. It ran for a year in the West End, was a hit on Broadway and was filmed by Roman Polanski starring Ben Kingsley and Sigourney Weaver. 'A play that audiences will carry out of the theatre and into life' New York Times

John Webster's glittering masterpiece published alongside a major 2014 revival by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

A unique collection of performance pieces and improvisation exercises in the Commedia style, a companion volume to the author's best-selling Playing Commedia.

An inspiring new approach to acting from a respected drama teacher - concise, succinct and full of practical exercises.

The NHB Drama Classics series presents the world's greatest plays in affordable, highly readable editions for students, actors and theatregoers. The hallmarks of the series are accessible introductions (focussing on the play's theatrical and historical background, together with an author biography, key dates and suggestions for further reading) and the complete text, uncluttered with footnotes. The translations, by leading experts in the field, are accurate and above all actable. The editions of English-language plays include a glossary of unusual words and phrases to aid understanding. This Drama Classics edition of Anton Chekhov's masterpiece of provincial claustrophobia is translated and introduced by Stephen Mulrine.

A guide to Psycho-Physical Acting, complete with games and exercises.

A comedy drama about an all-female theatre company touring Britain during the darkest days of World War Two, written by the well-known actress and premiered in the West End. While the men are fighting Hitler and the bombs are falling on London, a 'girls only' theatre company sets out in a battered 1920s Rolls-Royce to bring Shakespeare to a culture-starved Britain. Inspired by the real-life Osiris Players, whose travelling productions during the War inspired many to take up the profession - Judi Dench to name but one. We Happy Few premiered at the Gielgud Theatre, London, in June 2004. 'there isn't a sweeter, warmer, more likeable play in London' The Times 'very funny. A fascinating slice of social history' Time Out 'by far and away the funniest and saddest backstage play for half a century' Daily Express

An exploration of the principles and practice of physical comedy by a leading practitioner and teacher. This work contains hundreds of games and exercises useful to teachers and performers.

Each year the Traverse Theatre produces two plays as its own contribution to the Edinburgh Festival. "Iron", by Rona Munro, has been chosen as one of the plays for 2002; the other is Linda McLean's "Shimmer". Munro's previous work includes "Bold Girls" and "The Maiden Stone".

A bold, witty and fresh adaptation of Jane Austen's novel which, while thoroughly modern, retains the spirit and much of the language of the original.

An explosive, gripping and disturbing play about the phenomenon of False Memory Syndrome.

A smouldering political allegory about a political protest in a country ruled by a military junta. From the author of Death and the Maiden, written in collaboration with Tony Kushner, author of Angels in America.

An extensive guide to acting, followed by close to a hundred audition pieces chosen from the whole of world drama.

Aeschylus' great trilogy of Greek tragedies: Agamemnon, Choephori (Libation-Bearers) and Eumenides (The Furies).

England 1656. The sense of freedom, following the execution of the King, is threatening to plunge the country into anarchy.

The NHB Drama Classics series presents the world's greatest plays in affordable, highly readable editions for students, actors and theatregoers. The hallmarks of the series are accessible introductions (focussing on the play's theatrical and historical background, together with an author biography, key dates and suggestions for further reading) and the complete text, uncluttered with footnotes. The translations, by leading experts in the field, are accurate and above all actable. The editions of English-language plays include a glossary of unusual words and phrases to aid understanding. The Recruiting Officer is a Restoration Comedy with a real heart and soul. Captain Plume arrives in Shrewsbury to recruit new soldiers. He falls for Sylvia - against her father's wishes. Rather than be sent away, Sylvia disguises herself as a man and so learns more about Plume than he would really like. Edited and introduced by Simon Trussler.

Should the truth be pursued whatever the cost? The idealistic son of a wealthy businessman seeks to expose his father's duplicity and to free his childhood friend from the lies on which his happy home life is based.

The extraordinary story of the women's orchestra in Auschwitz, originally filmed for television with Vanessa Redgrave, and adapted for the stage by Miller himself.

In a new translation by Pam Gems, the author of Stanley, Piaf and The Snow Palace.

Based on the real-life court case of a young naval cadet unjustly accused of stealing a five-shilling postal order and first staged in 1946, The Winslow Boy has been revived many times since, including at The Old Vic in 2013. Ronnie Winslow is expelled from naval college, having been accused of petty theft. Enraged, his father Arthur engages a lawyer to challenge the Admiralty to prove the charges in court - but public opinion is very much against the Winslows, and each member of the family is suffering... This edition includes an authoritative introduction by Dan Rebellato, a biographical sketch and a chronology. 'A sterling example of Rattigan's dramatic skill and humanity... deeply poignant' Telegraph 'A playwright of acute emotional intelligence, elegant wit, and an extraordinary gift for expressive construction... thrilling' Independent