Acting Up (Paperback, Main)

In 1998/9, the playwright David Hare made his acting debut in London and New York, performing his own monologue about the Middle East. I declined to attend. As a performer myself, I was a little sniffy about Hare's presumption. Eventually I read his monologue - Via Dolorosa - and was bowled over by its honesty. Then I read this rehearsal and performance diary and was shamed by its insight, wit and energy. I stifled the urge to write a fan letter. This review will have to do. Hare explores the highs and lows of stage acting, from the multiple terrors of First Night to the exhaustion of a long run and the whining self-pity that exhaustion breeds:'woke up yesterday suicidal' and 'God help us, it's awards time'. He finds himself ground down by a dim-witted review, a coughing audience member, by his lack of technique and newly acquired hypochondria. Finally he stumbles upon 'the simplest truth which most actors learn on the first day. You have to change all the time to stay where you were.' Acting Up is a thoughtful treasure for theatre goers and practitioners alike. If you saw him perform, buy the book. If you didn't, buy it anyway. Review by KERRY SHALE Editor's note: Kerry Shale is an actor who has recorded many audio cassettes including Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. (Kirkus UK)

After writing a monologue on the subject of Israel and Palestine, David Hare forced himself to make his debut on the professional stage at the age of fifty-one. When his success at London's austere Royal Court theatre led to an invitation to appear in New York at a somewhat flashier Broadway venue, Hare was transformed from a shadowy playwright into an actor alone on the stage every night for ninety minutes.

Hare's hilarious diary of his experience on both sides of the Atlantic tells of his difficulties in coming to terms with his frightening change of career, but also grapples with more serious questions about what the difference is between acting and performance, and whether anyone can learn to do either.

General

Imprint:	Faber and Faber
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	November 1999
Authors:	David Hare
Dimensions:	214 x 134 x 21mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	288
Edition:	Main
ISBN-13:	978-0-571-20135-8
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography > General Books > Arts & Architecture > Performing arts > Theatre, drama > General Books > Language & Literature > Literature: history & criticism > Literary studies > From 1900 Books > Language & Literature > Literature: history & criticism > Plays & playwrights > General Books > Biography > General
LSN:	0-571-20135-0
Barcode:	9780571201358

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!