Product Description

A handbook for aspiring actors by two of the best-known names in the British theatre and television Written by two of the best-known actors in the country, this short book offers practical advice and do's and don'ts to anyone thinking of taking up acting. Both authors are passionate about actor training, know the profession inside out and, as they say in their intro, have more than a hundred years' experience between them! Writing alternate paragraphs throughout the book - and frequently contradicting each other! - they cover the whole gamut from * Applying to drama school * Auditioning * Training * Working in unpaid productions * Doing 'bits' on telly etc etc and on up to * Getting an agent and * Enduring a West End run - should you be so lucky. Published in slimline format (cf. NHB's Actions), this handy but pleasantly unstuffy manual is essential reading - or an essential gift! -for any aspiring actor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24535 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

About the Author
Timothy West is best-known on TV for Brass and for playing real people such as Edward VII, Churchill and Beecham, and on stage for classic roles such as Lear, Prospero, Falstaff and the Master Builder. Prunella Scales is world-famous as Mrs Basil Fawlty and well-known on stage and screen for countless other roles often in modern comedy. She has played both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.

Customer Reviews

Go For It!
This has got to be one of the best books ever written for aspiring actors, or those new to the profession. It covers all those essential questions about auditioning, theatre, TV, film and the way to go about things. Anyone with this book on their shelves, along with "Contacts" and "The Actors' Handbook" is ready for a life in acting.

There is even a section on how to go about getting the proper training. It is an absolute joy to see so much good sense and advice between two covers.

The Actor's life for ME!
So you want to be an actor? When I picked up this book I didn't think it had potential, another bad mistake of when I judge a book by it's cover and miss the beautiful music running through the pages. The book should be re-named THE ACTOR'S SURVIVAL GUIDE, because I learnt everything, absolutely EVERYTHING there is to know about the career of an actor. From Drama School, to Equity, from resumes, to Stressing. It's a book which should be on every actor's bookshelf! You simply couldn't live without it, and the authors are proven to be one of the most experienced show-business couples' in the business. No-one else would be able to right it like this. Even though it is written so informally it is very reader-friendly and unique.

These are the kind of book's which determine us to go on!