Synopses & Reviews
Actor and author Ben Crystal brings the bright words and colorful characters of the worlds greatest hack writer brilliantly to life, handing over the key to William Shakespeares plays, unlocking the so-called difficult bits and, astonishingly, finding Shakespeares own voice in among the poetry.
Told in five fascinating acts, Shakespeare on Toast sweeps the cobwebs from the Bard from his language, his life, his time revealing both the man and his work to be relevant, accessible, and full of beans.
This is a book for everyone, whether youre reading Shakespeare for the first time, occasionally find him troublesome, think you know him backwards, or have never set foot near one of his plays but have always wanted to. Its quick, easy, and good for you. Just like toast.
Ben Crystal is an actor for television, film, and theater, and has trodden the boards at Shakespeare's Globe. With his father David Crystal, the acclaimed English scholar, he co-authored the international best-seller Shakespeare's Words (Penguin Books, 2002) and The Shakespeare Miscellany (Penguin Books, 2005).
Synopsis
Shakespeare on Toast knocks the stuffing out of the staid myth of Shakespeare, revealing his plays for everyone.
Synopsis
'Ben Crystal's excellent book is an ideal way to gain an understanding of why Shakespeare is so brilliant and so enjoyable.' Sir Richard Eyre
'This is a brilliantly enjoyable, light-hearted look at Shakespeare which dispels the myths and makes him accessible to all. I love it ' Judi Dench
'A master class for modern beginners and old hands alike' The Times
Who's afraid of William Shakespeare? Just about everyone. He wrote too much and what he did write is inaccessible and elitist.
Right? Wrong. "Shakespeare on Toast" knocks the stuffing from the staid old myth of Shakespeare, revealing the man and his plays for what they really are: modern, thrilling and uplifting drama.
Actor and author Ben Crystal brings the bright words and colourful characters of the world's greatest hack writer brilliantly to life, handing over the key to Shakespeare's plays, unlocking the so called difficult bits and, astonishingly, finding Shakespeare's own voice amid the poetry. Told in five fascinating Acts, "Shakespeare on Toast" sweeps the cobwebs from the Bard - from his language, his life, his time - revealing both the man and his work to be relevant, accessible and full of beans.
About the Author
Ben Crystal is an actor for TV, Film and Theatre and has trodden the boards at Shakespeare's Globe. With his father David Crystal, the aclaimed English scholar, he co-authored the internationally acclaimed bestseller Shakespeare's Words (Penguin, 2002) and The Shakespeare Miscellany (Penguin, 2005).
He played Hamlet in the Nevada Repertory Company's Original Pronunciation tour in Fall 2011. You can follow him on twitter @bencrystal. The book's website is http://www.shakespeareontoast.com/.