Synopses & Reviews
In this seminal guide to playmaking, renowned playwright Alan Ayckbourn shares his tricks of the trade. From helpful hints on writing to tips on directing, this book provides a complete primer for the newcomer and a refresher for those with more experience. Written in Ayckbourn's signature style that combines humor, seriousness, and a heady air of sophistication, The Crafty Art of Playwmaking is a must-have for aspiring playwrights, students of drama, and anyone who has ever laughed their way through one of Ayckbourn's plays.
Review
"...a practical and disciplined look...After 44 years at his profession, Ayckbourn knows what he's talking about."--Lloyd Rose, Washington Post Book World
"...amusing, thought-provoking, and helpful in turn...his experiences are well worth the price of the book."--Susan L. Peters, Library Journal
"...an entrancing read-no matter what part you play in playmaking."--Dany Margolies, Back Stage
"...a polished gem of theater lore..."--Publishers Weekly Annex
"The New York Times on Alan Ayckbourn's recent House and Garden: As ingeniously constructed a work as the contemporary theater has to offer... House and Garden does justice not only to Mr. Ayckbourn's miraculous engineering but to his lightly astringent, not quite farcical humor as well. "-- The New York Times
Synopsis
For the first time, Alan Ayckbourn shares all of his tricks of the playwright's trade. From helpful hints on writing to tips on directing, the book provides a complete primer for the newcomer and a refresher for the more experienced. Written in Ayckbourn's signature style that combines humor, seriousness, and heady air of theatrical sophistication that Noel Coward would envy, The Crafty Art of Playmaking is a must-have for aspiring playwrights and students of drama.
Synopsis
In The Crafty Art of Playmaking, this seminal guide from renowned playwright Alan Ayckbourn shares his tricks of the trade.
From helpful hints on writing to tips on directing, this book provides a complete primer for the newcomer and a refresher for those with more experience. Written in Ayckbourn's signature style that combines humor, seriousness, and a heady air of sophistication, The Crafty Art of Playmaking is a must-have for aspiring playwrights, students of drama, and anyone who has ever laughed their way through one of Ayckbourn's plays.
Synopsis
In this seminal guide to playmaking, renowned playwright Alan Ayckbourn shares his tricks of the trade. From helpful hints on writing to tips on directing, this book provides a complete primer for the newcomer and a refresher for those with more experience. Written in Ayckbourn's signature style that combines humor, seriousness, and a heady air of sophistication, The Crafty Art of Playwmaking is a must-have for aspiring playwrights, students of drama, and anyone who has ever laughed their way through one of Ayckbourn's plays.
About the Author
Alan Ayckbourn is one of England's most prolific and widely performed living playwrights with over sixty plays in his catalogue. In 1997, he received a knighthood for his services to the theater. He was represented in New York this year with simultaneous productions of his plays "House" and "Garden" at the Manhattan Theater Club's two stages. He lives in England.
Table of Contents
Introduction * PART I: Writing * Comedy or Drama? * The Initial Idea * Construction * Time * Location * Characters * Final Countdown * Dialogue * Tidying up * PART II: Directing * The Director's Role * A Sort of History * The Producer * The Author * Stars * Set Designers * Costume Designers * The Lighting Designer * The Sound Designer * Other Experts * Casting * Auditions * Before the First Rehearsal * The Rehearsal Period * The First Day * Exploration * Early Days * As You Proceed * Notes * Comedy * Later Days * The DSM * Technicals * Dress Rehearsals * Previews * Press Night * Afterwards * Chronology of Plays