Shakespeare tells the actor when to go fast and when to go slow; when to pause, when to come in on cue and when to accent a word. His text is full of such clues. Shakespeare heard the lines as he wrote them. Shakespeare’s Advice to the Players makes watching or reading Shakespeare a richer experience, for audiences as well as actors. Learn More

"There is a mystery in every play that is written, no matter whether classical and poetic or modern and demotic, and it is the sound and the rhythm of the writing which take us there." Learn More

'detailed, down-to-earth, useful... with one of the clearest explanations I've read of iambic pentameter' The Stage

'as useful to the experienced actor looking for a lifeline as the beginner wanting tips about the trade' British Theatre Guide Learn More

A great book to use with students for AQA's Unit One, or perfect for any student who wishes to look at a role from a vocal perspective. Learn More

Greed, lies and jealousy...A sizzling drama of desire and deception set in the American Deep South, Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is published in Penguin Modern Classics.

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Penguin Classics (5 Mar. 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0141190280
ISBN-13: 978-0141190280 Learn More

TERRIFIC... should be read by anyone who wants to understand more about the Bard, his players, his times and today's interpretations of his stupendous creations... A great book for anyone who loves the theatre' Observer

'It is hard to offer enough praise to this book... a tremendous knowledge of the canon... the writing is always practical and never dry or dull... might become definitive guidance for many who wish to follow in the author's footsteps' British Theatre Guide Learn More

One of the finest dramatists of the last century... Learn More

'a remarkable and significant book... The thing that makes it so special is that editor Arthur Bartow brings together chapters on all the major practitioners written by other highly respected teachers and practitioners' ReviewsGate.com Learn More

'Anyone involved in actor training is likely to find this book a welcome breath of fresh air because its approach is so gloriously unpretentious. And yet it contains a wealth of Abbot’s enormous experience as actor, director and teacher'

- The Stage

'A fine source of ideas and information for drama teachers - a potted acting course, with plenty of practical exercises.'

- Teaching Drama Learn More