The Crafty Art of Playmaking

(Paperback, Main)

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Description

With over 60 plays written and staged, many playing in the West End or the Royal National Theatre, Alan Ayckbourn's expertise on writing and directing plays is unsurpassed. Here, he shares his tricks of the trade. From helpful hints on writing (Where has your play come from Where is it going How does it get there What is comedy and how do you write it What is tragedy and how does it work) to tips on directing (working with actors and technicians, when to listen to the experts, how to cope with rehearsals), the book provides a complete primer for the tyro and a refresher for the more experienced.

Reviews

."..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

.,."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

..."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

Author Bio

Alan Ayckbourn is the most widely performed of all living playwrights, with a prolific back catalogue of work which has been translated into 40 languages and performed throughout the world. He has received many national and international awards. He was appointed a CBE in 1987, and in 1997 received a knighthood for his services to theatre.