White Cross Mills, Hightown, LANCASTER LA1 4XS, United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44(0)1524 68765
Fax: +44(0)1524 63232
Email: sales@gazellebooks.co.uk
Web: www.gazellebooks.co.uk
 |
10 OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST FILMSTARS
[John McSweeney]
John McSweeney was born in Cork, and developed a serious interest in cinema in his youth. He holds a Masters Degree in Film Studies from University College, Cork, Ireland and his first book, "The Golden Age of Cork Cinemas" was a history of the cinema business in his home town. Of course choosing 10 of the World's Greatest film stars for this edition was a purely subjective exercise on McSweeney's part and one open to much anticipated debate.
{
101pp,
145x210mm,
September 2007;
PB,
£4.99,
1905764103:9781905764105
, Sorelli Publishing
} |
 |
ACTING GAMES FOR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
: A Comprehensive Workbook of 110 Acting Exercises
[Gavin Levy]
A student actor or professional performer will use this book again and again for self-discovery exercises designed to enhance acting skills. It is a "doing" book which challenges the actor with every exercise. A superb text that is both functional and inspirational.
{
238pp,
140x215mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£11.99,
1566081467:9781566081467
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
ACTOR'S SURVIVAL KIT, 4TH EDITION
[Miriam Newhouse & Peter Messaline]
Required reading in Canadian theatre schools and is a constant resource for its many readers across the country. This fourth edition gives actors fresh research from today’s experience, new lists of Canada-wide contracts, and input from success stories. It speaks to a new generation of artists, giving them an up-to-date guide to the business of acting. It addresses a range of new issues: performer websites, video self-production, and sending resumes and networking on the Internet. It also takes a fresh look at old ones: agents, self-promotion, and work opportunities for women and minorities. The authors learn by constantly talking to emerging artists about the problems they face in the business in Canada. Often those conversations begin with, "You wrote the book!" The authors are still receiving thanks from grateful artists who have been guided by this irreplaceable book over the years.
{
262pp,
155x230mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£12.99,
155002678X:9781550026788
, Dundurn Press
} |
 |
ADAPTATIONS
: A Guide to Adapting Literature to Film
[Denise Faithfull & Brian Hannant]
Turning a 250-page novel or a two-and-a-half-hour stage play into a 90-minute film means leaving out much of the original and changing most of what’s left. So why does it remain recognisably the same story? What is the slippery essence that transfers, unaltered, from page to screen? In "Adaptations", Denise Faithfull comprehensively and systematically addresses the thorny issues of choosing your source and type of adaptation, whether a liberal appropriation, a free-flowing intersection, a variation or a faithful translation. She illuminates questions of structure, character, dialogue and visualisation, and includes a checklist for the adaptor. Brian Hannant's introductory chapter discusses the history of Australian film, the basic principles of filmmaking and screenwriting, and a guide to correct screenplay layout. Drawing from dozens of Australian films including Così, Lantana, Hotel Sorrento, The Boys, Dead Heart, Death in Brunswick and Head On, "Adaptations" navigates the treacherous waters of the adaptation process, showing us what works … and what doesn’t. For anyone who's ever read a novel, seen a play or heard an incredible true story and thought, 'Now, that would make a great film', "Adaptations" is the ultimate on how to make it happen.
{
276pp,
140x215mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£19.50,
0868197920:9780868197920
, Currency Press
} |
 |
ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT
: New Edition
[Philip Brophy]
'A road movie in a frock' is one way this much acclaimed, award-winning movie has been described. Three showgirls with a difference set off in a bus across the Australian desert to play a cabaret engagement in Alice Springs. As they cut a swathe of satin and tulle across the country, there are chance encounters, some disappointments, a surprise revelation and much hilarity.
{
87pp,
135x190mm,
February 2008;
PB,
£9.50,
0868198218:9780868198217
, Currency Press
} |
 |
ALCESTIS, MEDEA, HIPPOLYTUS
[Euripides; Translated by Diane A Svarlien]
This volume of three of Euripides' most celebrated plays offers graceful, economical, metrical translations that convey the wide range of effects of the playwright's verse, from the idiomatic speech of its dialogue to the high formality of its choral odes.
{
206pp,
140x215mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£6.95,
0872208222:9780872208223
/
HB,
£27.95,
0872208230:9780872208230
, Hackett Publishing
} |
 |
ASYLUM
[Kit Lazaroo]
Lally Black is a psychiatrist who struggles to keep the lid on her doubts about her own funds of compassion. Yu Siying is a Chinese woman who has caught HIV in Australia. Afraid of China's judgement, Siying has one last chance to claim asylum, and believes Lally is the key to her appeal. Lally finds herself enticed into an imagined China, unfolding in the gulf between herself and Siying, causing her to acknowledge the threads that run between complacency and brutality.
{
54pp,
140x210mm,
March 2008;
PB,
£10.50,
0868198293:9780868198293
, Currency Press
} |
 |
AT THE ZENITH OF THE EMPIRE
[Stewart Lemoine]
Playwright Stewart Lemoine combines drama with hilarity in a play that tells a speculative story of legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt's trip to Edmonton in 1913, where she performed before two packed houses at the Empire Theatre.
{
138pp,
140x215mm,
May 2007;
PB,
£11.50,
1897126158:9781897126158
, Newest Press
} |
 |
BASTARD BOYS
[Sue Smith]
"Bastard Boys" is the story of the fight that stopped the nation -- the 1998 battle for Australia's waterfront. More than just a dispute over reform, it became a campaign for the hearts and minds of all Australians. Controversial, all-consuming and combative, it forced people to pick a side and fight for their beliefs. Political thriller, war film, buddy movie, love story and courtroom drama all rolled into one, this is the story of the people behind one of the most significant events in Australia's recent past. Iconic Australian actors Jack Thompson and Colin Friels lead an outstanding cast that includes: Geoff Morrell, Dan Wyllie, Justine Clarke, Rhys Muldoon and Lucy Bell. "Bastard Boys" has been written with the co-operation and participation of all parties to the dispute. It is the first time participants such as former Patrick CEO, Chris Corrigan and ACTU Secretary, Greg Combet have agreed to tell their stories. 4 acts, 8 male, 3 female.
{
216pp,
155x230mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£17.99,
0868198099:9780868198095
, Currency Press
} |
 |
BEAUTIFUL WORDS
[Sean Riley]
An epic chronicle of the refugee experience, "Beautiful Words" weaves together three very different stories of survival, told through the eyes of three children in different times and places. The outcome is heart-rending, humorous, and surprising by turns. From the horrors of Auschwitz Concentration Camp in the final days of World War II, to Taliban-ruled Kabul, to present day Australia, this enthralling play presents a rich tapestry of human experience, overlapping lives, and the bonds that unite generations. Over three hours, with some 20 characters, "Beautiful Words" tells an engaging story with poignant comedy and unashamed feeling. (3 acts, 6 male, 3 female).
{
90pp,
140x215mm,
April 2008;
PB,
£9.99,
0868198323:9780868198323
, Currency Press
} |
 |
BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE & THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD
[Robert Hewett]
An adulterous husband, a meddlesome neighbour and a dropped ice-cream cone are among the circumstances that combine to shatter the life of suburban housewife Rhonda Russell. Everyone has their own story to tell about the day that Rhonda went berserk in the shopping centre. And who's to know where the truth lies? With the best friend who might have egged her on? With the husband who denies responsibility? Or with the victim's family whose lives were changed forever? And then there's the story of the vengeful redhead herself, but she's probably the least likely to know what really happened. In this gripping adventure, the world is turned upside down in a disastrous and comic sequence of events. As the intrigue unfolds, seven different characters give a fresh twist of perspective -- all played by one multifaceted performer. 2 acts, 1 female.
{
79pp,
105x160mm,
March 2007;
PB,
£7.99,
0868198064:9780868198064
, Currency Press
} |
 |
BOYCE TRILOGY
: The Woman with Dog's Eyes / The Marvellous Boy / The Emperor of Sydney
[Louis Nowra]
After an extensive period of writing for film, Louis Nowra returns to the stage with "The Boyce Trilogy", an epic saga about the Boyce family, a family made wealthy through property development. The trilogy starts with The Woman with Dog's Eyes which introduces us to the Boyce family as they gather to celebrate the parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Inspired by events that traumatised Sydney’s Moran family, the play explores the universal themes of family, love and disappointment. The second part of the trilogy , "The Marvellous Boy", unwraps the story of this notorious Sydney family. Malcolm Boyce is dying at a time when his biggest building project -- and so his whole empire -- is threatened by protesters. He hires an important criminal, the charismatic Ray Pollard, to threaten his enemies. Malcolm gets his son, Luke, to liaise with Ray. Luke not only falls under Ray's spell but also finds himself involved with his father's mistress. The results are tragic. This story follows Luke from detachment into an emotional involvement that will be liberating and then shattering as the consequences of his and his father's moral duplicity emerge. In the final instalment of the trilogy, "The Emperor of Sydney" , the three sons fight for control of the company as their father lays dying in the master bedroom above the huge Beauchamp mansion living room. The company is near bankruptcy because of a huge stalled project (their father's personal vision) and they are facing a criminal investigation into the father's role in the suspicious death of the project's outspoken critic.
{
174pp,
140x215mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£17.99,
086819798X:9780868197982
, Currency Press
} |
 |
BREAKIN' IT DVD
: How to Breakdance, Volume i
This is a complete introduction to breakdancing. Learn foundation moves, freezes, power combos and tricks. Start out with basic moves like the 6-Step, Top Rock, Freezes, Hand Stand, Back Spin and K-Kick. Then move on to more advanced moves like Windmills, Flares, Rubber Bands, Jackhammers, Elbow Hops, Swipes, Airtracks and Head Spins. Each move is broken down into easy to follow steps by members of the UHF Krew. Slow motion and multiple camera angles make this a great instructional DVD. Bonus: Learn how to warm-up to prevent injuries and take your moves to the max plus see the UHF Krew in action, combining the moves they teach you into dance routines. Great moves for breakdancing or martial arts freestyling! Approxiate running time: 75 minutes.
{
November 2007;
DV,
£13.50,
8233272075
, Turtle Press
} |
 |
CELEBRITY BLACK BOOK 2007
: Over 55,000 Accurate Celebrity Addresses
[Jordan Mcauley]
Jam-packed with over 55,000 celebrity addresses (all verified by the U.S. Postal Service's National Change of Address System), "The Celebrity Black Book 2007" edition is perfect for fans, nonprofits, authors, designers, and business professionals who need to reach public figures. All types are included: movie, television, music, and sports stars plus politicians, authors, models, directors, producers, world leaders, religious figures, and more. Also includes the name and company of each star's representative. Direct from Hollywood, this book is compiled annually from the files of Contact Any Celebrity at www.ContactAnyCelebrity.com.
{
759pp,
215x275mm,
January 2007;
PB,
£49.99,
0970709587:9780970709585
, AtlasBooks (Mega Niche Media)
} |
 |
CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH
[Henry Reynolds]
Set in central-western New South Wales in the 1890s, Fred Schepisi's film of Thomas Keneally's award-winning novel is a powerful and confronting story of a black man's revenge against an unjust and intolerant society. Raised by missionaries, Jimmie Blacksmith, a young half-castle Aboriginal man, is poignantly caught between the ways of his black forefathers and those of the white society to which he aspires. Exploited by his boss and betrayed by his [white] wife, he declares war on his white employers and goes on a violent killing spree. "The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith" was one of the most significant films of the 1970s 'renaissance'. It was the first Australian feature in which the whole story is told from an Aboriginal perspective and it broke new ground in dealing with one of the most tragic aspects of Australian history: the racist treatment of the Aboriginal population. The spectre of the violent and vengeful black had barely been touched upon and the depth of rage that the film put on screen was unprecedented in Australian film at the time.
{
80pp,
135x190mm,
March 2008;
PB,
£9.50,
0868198242:9780868198248
, Currency Press
} |
 |
CHINA
[William Yang]
Photographer-storyteller William Yang returns to a motherland he never knew -- the Australian-born Chinese a stranger in his homeland. Yang takes his audiences from the streets of Beijing, where electronics superstores jostle with echoes of the Cultural Revolution and the Ming Dynasty, to the sacred mountain Huang Shan, a must-climb for every Chinese pilgrim-tourist; from a wild night in a Mongolian herdsman’s hut, to the apartments of ordinary Chinese, a few months after the Tiananmen Square incident. Part social documentary, part personal observation, China creates a meditative space, a journey of reflection on the meaning of culture and belonging, for performer and audience alike.
{
54pp,
210x140mm,
February 2008;
PB,
£9.99,
0868198277:9780868198279
, Currency Press
} |
 |
CIRCUIT
[Kelly Lefever, Dot West, Mitch Torres & Beck Cole]
In the outback, the law is never black and white. Drew is a young Aboriginal lawyer fast-tracking his way from Perth to a policy job in Canberra via Broome. A stint as a public defender with the Kimberley Circuit Court offers him the street cred he needs in the Federal scene -- plus a chance to 'put something back'. 'The Circuit' turns out to be a tumultuous tour of the wildest parts of the far north, grappling with the often impossible contradictions between traditional and whitefella law. In the whirlwind of the travelling courtroom, cases are decided in minutes, with repercussions that go on for years. Drew has no idea what's hit him. Then there is the legacy of his own long-forgotten family history. A compelling, funny and thoughtful drama series starring Aaron Pedersen , Kelton Pell , Tammy Clarkson , Marta Kaczmarek and Gary Sweet as the Magistrate, The Circuit screens on SBS TV in July 2007.
{
350pp,
155x230mm,
July 2007;
PB,
£17.99,
0868198129:9780868198125
, Currency Press
} |
 |
COMMEDIA OZ
: Playing Commedia in Contemporary Australia
[Steven Gration & Nicky Peelgrane]
"Commedia Oz" is designed to assist the interpretation and playing of Commedia in an Australian context and is a training manual for teachers, students, actors and directors. Chapters cover the history and influence of Commedia; suggestions for modern interpretations; activities and exercises; the role of the director and the actor's journal; training actors; an interview with Jacques Lecoq (the French Commedia actor/trainer); a professional script; and ideas for units of work and assessment. There is also a glossary and a reference section for further reading. The authors became collaborators after Nicky was cast in Steven's play, Stardust (the script of which is published in the book) which toured schools in Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
{
180pp,
170x245mm,
May 2008;
PB,
£17.99,
086819820X:9780868198200
, Currency Press
} |
 |
CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS PLAYS
[Vivienne Cleven et al]
Five plays from around Australia which illustrate that the rich tradition of indigenous storytelling is flourishing in contemporary Australian theatre. Adapted from her award-winning novel, Vivienne Cleven's "Bitin' Back" is a 'zany and uproarious black farce'; "Black Medea", Wesley Enoch's richly poetic adaptation of Euripides Medea, blends the cultures of Ancient Greek and indigenous storytelling to weave a bold and breathtaking commentary on contemporary experience; The acclaimed "King Hit" by David Milroy and Geoffrey Narkle, strikes at the very heart of the Stolen Generations, exploring the impact on an individual and a culture when relationships are brutally broken; Set in the 1950s on the fringe of a country town, "Rainbow's End" by Jane Harrison creates a 'thought-provoking and emotionally powerful' (Age) snapshot of a Koori family to dramatise the struggle for decent housing, meaningful education, jobs and community acceptance; And David Milroy's "Windmill Baby" is set on an abandoned cattle station in the Kimberley landscape, combines the poetry of a campfire story with the comedy of a great yarn.
{
228pp,
140x215mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£19.50,
0868197955:9780868197951
, Currency Press
} |
 |
D IS FOR DARING
: The Women Behind the Films of Studio D
[Gail Vanstone]
"D is for Daring" is the first published history of Canada's one and only feminist filmmaking studio. From its founding in 1974 to its closing in 1996, Studio D produced over 150 documentaries and won over 100 international awards, including three Academy Awards. It was one of the most accomplished units of the National Film Board, despite being given limited funding and starting up its operations in nothing more than a janitor's storeroom. Under the guidance of its three executive producers -- Kathleen Shannon, Rina Fraticelli and Ginny Stikeman -- and with the talents of in-house and freelance feminist filmmakers, writers and directors, Studio D created filmmaking opportunities for women in a field traditionally dominated by men, and brought to the public's attention the concerns and issues emerging from the Canadian women's movement. Its documentaries tackled hotly debated issues that ranged from sexuality and pornography to women's work and feminist identity to nuclear war and environmental destruction. Two of its most popular films, "Not a Love Story" and "If You Love This Planet", unleashed international debates at the time of their release and continue to attract critical attention today. Through personal interviews and drawing on the Studio's archival records, Vanstone introduces us to the key players behind the Studio, the reasons they chose to make the films they did, the challenges they faced working within a government institution and the many accomplishments they celebrated. "D is for Daring" is a welcome tribute to a feminist organisation whose documentaries recorded the unfolding of an exciting period of the Canadian women's movement.
{
262pp,
155x230mm,
September 2007;
PB,
£17.50,
1894549678:9781894549677
, Sumach Press
} |
 |
DRAMA GAMES & IMPROVS
: Games for the Classroom & Beyond
[Justine Jones & Mary Ann Kelley]
A curriculum guide using improv games to teach basic drama skills. If used with 'Improv Ideas' by the same authors, there are enough games and ideas to provide for over a year's work. Select from over 134 games. It's adaptable to all age groups -- from beginners to experts. The lessons are structured sequentially with emphasis on group building. It is deigned to teach holistically. Students are unaware they are being taught many new skills with every lesson. This curriculum is the culmination of many years of evolution and testing.
{
226pp,
215x280mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£15.50,
1566081475:9781566081474
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
DRAMA TEACHER'S SURVIVAL GUIDE
: A Complete Toolkit For Theatre Arts
[Margaret F Johnson]
Success assured -- for every show YOLI direct or produce! Written from 37 years of drama teaching experience, this book provides detailed, step-by-step information, examples and suggestions about how to direct a school drama program without mistakes, trouble or delay. The nineteen chapters cover everything: play selection, tryouts, rehearsals, costuming, props, lighting, publicity and final performance. To further clarify each step, examples are provided with illustrations, photos and proven ideas. Reproducible handouts and forms are also included together with a list of many additional resources. Whether you are a seasoned drama director or a beginner, you will find this book to be an invaluable aid. It will banish your stress and guarantee your success!
{
256pp,
215x280mm,
March 2007;
PB,
£13.50,
1566081416:9781566081412
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
EXTRA WORK FOR BRAIN SURGEONS
: 24th Edition
[Angela Bertolino]
A comprehensive handbook of everything you need to know to get started in the entertainment industry. Includes how to join the unions and avoid the scams, legitimate casting companies, photo and resume tips, how to get started as an extra, how to get your kids started, and tips on finding principal work. This guide has become a bible for new and seasoned performers. Also contains an extensive reference section including set terminology you should know, vital industry contact information, and pay charts for easy reference. Best starter kit if you're thinking about breaking into the acting biz.
{
544pp,
140x215mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£18.50,
1893899241:9781893899247
, AtlasBooks (Hollywood Os)
} |
 |
FANTASTIC FEMALE FILMMAKERS
[Suzanne Simoni]
Women have been writing, producing, and directing movies since filmmaking began in the early 1900s. They have tamed wild animals, hung out the open door of a plane to film, and faced rioting mobs on a set. Faced with incredible challenges, including having to break through the gender barrier, women directors have done amazing things in the world of film. "Fantastic Female Filmmakers" tells the stories of ten women who are among the most creative and respected directors in the world. Nell Shipman started her own production company in the silent movie days. American actress Ida Lupino was the first woman to direct herself in a film. Academy Award-nominee Deepa Mehta brought the stories of her native India to audiences around the world against all the odds. These directors prove that women can be stars behind the camera, as well as on the screen.
{
122pp,
140x215mm,
March 2008;
PB,
£5.99,
189718736X:9781897187364
, Second Story Press
} |
 |
FILMING POLITICS
: Communism & the Portrayal of the Working Class at the National Film Board of Canada, 1939-46
[Malek Khouri]
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has a storied history as the progenitor & stalwart defender of Canadian cinematic culture. It was created to foster a national film industry & to promote to a national & international audience a voice that was uniquely Canadian. In "Filming Politics", author Malek Khouri examines carefully a period at the National Film Board when its creative output & guiding principles reflected less the cultural mainstream, identifying instead more with the surging wave of International Communism. Beginning with an analysis of the political, cultural, & social milieu under which the institution was founded, Khouri highlights how these dynamics impacted the creation of the NFB. He details the ideological background of the NFB's founders & filmmakers, positing that these factors ultimately shaped the emergence of a counter-hegemonic discourse as evidenced through the portrayal of the working class. Khouri identifies & uncovers the extent of the institution's filmic practices & representations of issues such as the Great Depression, democracy, labour unions, unemployment, & the fight against Fascism. In particular, it was during the war years that the institution earnestly pursued a discourse that presented the working class as agents of social change, & openly celebrated the Soviet Union as a war ally & leading opponent to fascism, & in due course as a future partner in peace. "Filming Politics" presents a vivid ethnography of a social class, a cultural institution, & a political subculture, making available for the first time a comprehensive classification & overview of the cinematic & political foundations that informed this now esteemed cultural institution.
{
278pp,
155x230mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£20.99,
1552381994:9781552381991
, University of Calgary Press
} |
 |
FOUR TRAGEDIES
: Ajax, Women of Trachis, Electra, Philoctetes
[Sophocles; Translated, with Introduction & Notes by Peter Meineck & Paul Woodruff]
Meineck and Woodruff's new translations of these plays combine accuracy with concision, clarity, and powerful speech. Each translation includes foot-of-the-page notes, stage directions, and line numbers to the Greek. The Introduction discusses the playwright, Athenian theatre and performance, plots and major characters of each play, and major critical interpretations of the plays.
{
267pp,
140x215mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£6.95,
0872207633:9780872207639
/
HB,
£19.95,
0872207641:9780872207646
, Hackett Publishing
} |
 |
GREAT CANADIAN FILM DIRECTORS
[George Melnyk (ed)]
Great Canadian Film Directors is the first major study that reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Canada’s most dynamic film directors. The 19 essays in this collection focus on each filmmaker’s ability to create a vision that both reveals and redefines our national cultures. Together, these essays, by established and emerging scholars, highlight the diversity, imaginative power, and talent of Canadian filmmakers. This collection’s value is in its contemporary analysis of major figures as well as critical discussions of the work of women directors and young filmmakers. Filmographies and selected bibliographies for each director provide film students and the movie-going public with an unrivalled study of a cinema that now garners world attention.
{
468pp,
155x230mm,
July 2007;
PB,
£20.99,
0888644795:9780888644794
, University of Alberta Press
} |
 |
HAMMER FILMS
: The Elstree Studios Years
[Wayne Kinsey; Foreword by Peter Hutchings]
Foreword by Peter Hutchings, Northumbria University. Wayne Kinsey reveals the story of Hammer Films from 1967 to the present day, following the highs and lows of the company as it bedded into its new home at Elstree Studios. Based on extensive oral history recording with Hammer personnel, the book describes in fascinating detail how the studio would plummet from one of the most successful British film companies and proud recipients of the Queen's Award for Industry, to the depths of bankruptcy within a single decade. As the British Censor relaxed, Hammer took full advantage, steeping their films in the seventies with sex and nudity as well as ever increasing gore. Even better than Kinsey’s previous volume, the acclaimed "Hammer Films: The Bray Studios Years", this book is heavily illustrated throughout by rare, never before published photographs and documents, many taken behind the scenes of the famous "House that Dripped Blood".
REVIEW: "This is the story of Hammer’s failure; of its failure to update successfully its horror formula, to engage with new markets, to regenerate itself. Kinsey shows that this was not for want of trying, and indeed a sense of Hammer’s desperation becomes apparent at certain moments. Particularly revealing in this respect are Hammer‘s encounters with the British film censors - which are recorded here in some detail. Take this book not as a memorial, but instead as a record of an enduring fascination with one of the most extraordinary enterprises in British cinema history." -- Peter Hutchings (from his foreword). "...the first and the last word in books on Hammer and their years at Elstree." -- Paul Burton, Elstree Calling, Feb 2007. "...the research is both expert and thorough, whilst the text displays the keen enthusiasm of a devout (but not uncritical) fan as well as the historian’s eye for detail and accuracy. A brilliant piece of journalism, Hammer-holics will undoubtedly devour every page of this lovingly assembled study." -- Howard Maxford, Film Review.
{
432pp,
170x245mm,
January 2007;
PB,
£19.99,
0953192628:9780953192625
, Tomahawk Press
} |
 |
HAZEL COURT -- HORROR QUEEN
: An Autobiography
[Hazel Court]
International star Hazel Court has starred in countless films, both in England and the United States. However, she is best known for her work in horror films, starting with Hammer in the 1950's and going on to work with Roger Corman in Hollywood. She has been described as the 'Ultimate Scream Queen'. This is her autobiography, in which she traces her career from being a 'Gainsborough Girl' through to her current status as internationally recognised sculptor and author. Hazel provides intimate portraits of Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Jack Nicholson, as well as her late husband, actor/director Don Taylor. An English woman’s view of a life in Hollywood, 'Hazel Court -- Horror Queen' is eagerly anticipated by Hazel's fans throughout the world. Lavishly illustrated with rare photos -- including some that you never thought you’d see!
REVIEW: "Impeccably presented, the book features many rare stills from the archives, among them the fabled topless shot for the 'continental' version of The Man Who Could Cheat Death (extremely daring for 1959!)." -- Howard Maxford, Film Review, 2008.
{
152pp,
225x225mm,
April 2008;
PB,
£12.99,
0953192687:9780953192687
, Tomahawk Press
} |
 |
HITLER'S DAUGHTER
: The Play
[Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge & Tim McGarry]
Four country children waiting in the rain for the school bus take turns telling stories. In an unusual twist, Anna's story takes the children to Nazi Germany. An intriguing tale about Heidi, a young girl caught in the turmoil of World War II, whose father was one of the most dreaded men in history. One of the children, Mark, becomes engrossed in Heidi's story. In his conversations with his friends, his teacher and with his parents, he explores the moral and ethical issues it raises. This intriguing play poses powerful questions about a frightening period in history and forces us to examine moral issues in relation to society's fears and prejudices in a fresh, compelling light. 1 act, 3 male, 3 female.
{
41pp,
135x190mm,
December 2007;
PB,
£9.50,
0868198137:9780868198132
, Currency Press
} |
 |
HOODS
[Angela Batzien]
From the creators of "Children of the Black Skirt" comes a contemporary tale of Hansel and Gretel. Each night two hoods ride a train to a wrecking yard on the outskirts of the city. Here, in this cemetery of stories, they are storytellers with the power to fast forward, pause and rewind. Tonight, they tell the story of three kids left in a car. Rewind. It's Friday, KFC night and the last day of school before Christmas. Kyle, Jessie and baby brother Troy are waiting in the car for their mum. As night approaches the car park takes on a dark and sinister aspect filled with strange and familiar characters. The shopping centre closes, Mum still hasn’t returned and the baby won't stop crying. Exploring issues of poverty and family violence, "Hoods" is a suburban tale of survival and solidarity against the odds. 1 act, 1 male, 1 female.
{
48pp,
135x190mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£7.99,
0868198005:9780868198002
, Currency Press
} |
 |
HUMAN VIDEO HANDBOOK
: Christian Outreach in Dramatic Movement & Music
[Kimberlee R Mendoza]
Human video is an explosive new art form that churches are discovering and embracing as a means of expressing their faith. There is no other book like this. It is the first complete text on the art of human video. Elements of mime and dance merge with music to create an unforgettable performance that connects with the MTV generation, but unlike videos, its live! It combines the visual art of theatre with the auditory sound of music to express Christian ideas to maximum effect. And there aren't any lines to memorise. A portable art form, it is equally effective performed on a street corner for outreach as it is in a church sanctuary for worship.
{
101pp,
140x215mm,
August 2007;
PB,
£10.99,
1566081394:9781566081399
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
INCREDIBLE INDIA -- CLASSICAL DANCE
[Sonal Mansingh]
Dance in India has been deemed sacred because of its innate capacity to visualise and actualise the deepest philosophical concepts through gestures, movements and the art of suggestion. Immediate collective transcendence is possible only through dance when the dancer disappears and melts away in the dance and when the audience is transported to the realm of 'rasa srishti', the pure aesthetic delight. Any attempt to transcribe and describe dance through words is bound to remain incomplete as dance is a visual art. In India it has sat atop a pyramid of various art forms which have had an oral and written history. As dance in India freely uses literary and poetic works taken from all vernacular languages, its repertory is rich beyond imagination. Vocal and instrumental music provides a constant accompaniment to translate ideas contained in these literary texts. Profusion of intricately carved sculptures on temple-walls have kept the forms alive even through dark periods of unsympathetic foreign rule. Dance has inspired a wealth of stone, metal and wood carvings, frescoes, murals and miniature paintings as well as textiles reflecting a panorama of dance movements. Special ornaments in gold, ruby, emerald, diamond or silver used by dancers have had a tradition of being crafted by hand. The art of decorating hair with different kinds of arrangements of flowers and fragrant leaves according to seasonal availability and suitability was specially taught as an additional accomplishment of a dancer. This book points at many such ideas and urges the reader to take a plunge in the ocean of ambrosial knowledge, which is called 'natya vidya'.
{
102pp,
230x230mm,
July 2007;
HB,
£19.95,
8183280676:9788183280679
, Wisdom Tree
} |
 |
INCREDIBLE INDIA -- TRADITIONAL THEATRES
[H S Shiva Prakash]
Varied forms of living traditional theatres constitute the most important part of India's living heritage. The present book is an attempt to present the most vibrant forms of traditional theatres from different parts and languages of India, past and present. There is special emphasis on the kinship of popular theatres with rituals and medieval Indian devotional movement. One of the forms it speaks about is being introduced for the first time in English. Written by a well-known contemporary playwright, this comprehensive book gives a fascinating account of one of the most colourful and living theatre traditions of the world.
{
102pp,
230x230mm,
July 2007;
HB,
£19.95,
8183280757:9788183280754
, Wisdom Tree
} |
 |
INTRODUCTION TO 'THE ART OF THEATRE'
: A Comprehensive Text -- Past, Present & Future
[Marsh Cassady]
A readable, workable text that deals with everything about theatre and the artists who make theatre possible. Styles of drama, staging, production, directing and acting, along with all backstage functions are defined in detail. Theatre history and the business of theatre are covered fully for the use of both students and instructors.
{
353pp,
140x215mm,
March 2007;
PB,
£15.50,
1566081173:9781566081177
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS 2
: Student Handbook
[Suzi Zimmerman]
A sequel edition to "Introduction to Theatre Arts". More study units for an entire years of classroom drama activities. Theory combined with hands-on is the style of every chapter. Classroom tested to fit the budgetary considerations of all schools.
{
255pp,
215x280mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£16.99,
1566081483:9781566081481
/
PB,
£19.99,
1566081491:9781566081498
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
IT JUST STOPPED / MYTH, PROPAGANDA & DISASTER IN NAZI GERMANY & CONTEMPORARY AMERICA
[Stephen Sewell]
A savage comedy of manners, "It Just Stopped" explores our relationship to art, globalisation, death, technology, America, Campari, cardboard boxes and slavery. Sewell's play is funny and shocking in turn. It holds the mirror up to the things we value today and asks the questions: what will we value the day the world just stops, and what would we be willing to trade for our own survival? To describe Stephen Sewell's dark comedy as a cautionary tale does it scant justice, given the anger and apocalyptic vision driving its mayhem and fun. "It Just Stopped" is a whimsical, argumentative, satirical and deeply serious play. Written with searing passion and dazzling momentum, "Myth, Propaganda and Disaster in Nazi Germany and Contemporary America" reverberates with the aftershocks of September 11. With compelling drive and theatrical daring, we are swept from cocktails at the Guggenheim to the hungry vacuum of Ground Zero. Stephen Sewell demands answers to some of the most urgent questions of our times. Where is the line between patriotism and nationalism? What happens when the Land of the Free makes such uncompromising statements as: 'You're either with us or against us'?
{
170pp,
140x215mm,
August 2007;
PB,
£14.99,
086819817X:9780868198170
, Currency Press
} |
 |
JAMES ROBERTSON JUSTICE
: "What's the Bleeding Time?": A Biography
[James Hogg with Robert Sellers & Howard Watson. Foreword by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Afterword by Ken Annakin, OBE]
Foreword by the Duke of Edinburgh. This biography of James Roberston Justice celebrates the secret life and glittering career of one of British cinema's finest and most recognisable screen personalities. With his unforgettable presence and his trademark bulk, whiskers, and fierce bark, James Robertson Justice made a treasure chest of classic British movies. He is best remembered as the bombastic Sir Lancelot Spratt in Doctor in the House (1954), but also starred in many wonderful films, both comedies and drama, often portrayed as a domineering (if frequently soft-centred) ogre. His on-screen temper tantrums often resembled those of a gigantic, irate toddler. This book unravels for the first time, through detailed research and original interviews with those close to him, the myriad complexities of one of Britain’s finest actors. The book is fully illustrated with many rare photos. A must buy for fans of classic British films. Throughout the fifties and sixties he built a career on scene stealing performances in comedies and action thrillers. A bittersweet fling with Hollywood even landed him the enigmatic role of Vashtar, architect of the Great Pyramid, in Howard Hawks’ historical epic Land of the Pharaohs (1955). However, for his many fans, Justice's true metier remained farce. A pivotal role in the creation of his recognisable screen persona was the punctilious, 'thrash happy' Dr. Grimstone in Vice Versa (1948). It was from this seed of a condescending Victorian headmaster that a succession of characters flourished, epitomised by Lord Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Woe betide anyone who attracted his beetle-browed displeasure. From Dirk Bogarde, through Stanley Baxter and Dick Van Dyke, JRJ was the towering authority figure par excellence, releasing a hilarious barrage of vitriolic slap downs and insults. His recurring role as fathers to beautiful ingénues, such as Sir Beverly Grant in Father Came Too! (1963) and Charles Chingford in Ken Annakin’s The Fast Lady (1962), offered older cinema goers a reassuring bulwark against the (would be) excesses of the 'permissive society'. James Robertson Justice was a "brilliant raconteur, indifferent to money" -- part Walter Mitty, part Sir John Falstaff. There is no actor we can think of with a life story that screams so loudly for a biography. This is the definitive story of one of Britain's greatest actors.
REVIEW: "...this is a book you must read...Tomahawk Press, one of the best independent publishing houses of niche market title books in the world, are to be applauded for bringing this excellent tome to add to our library of movie books. Superbly researched, handsomely illustrated...I cannot highly recommend this enough." -- Cinema Retro, March 2008.
{
207pp,
180x260mm,
February 2008;
PB,
£12.99,
0953192679:9780953192670
, Tomahawk Press
} |
 |
KID
[Michael Gow]
The play that launched Michael Gow's playwriting career returns to the stage. In blazing heat, a stolen Mini hurtles towards Sydney. Inside, three unstable teenagers from the country -- Snake, Aspro and Dean -- plan a future that will begin when they collect Aspro's accident compensation from the Department. Joined by Donald, an opera fanatic desperate for a change of scene, they travel to the city to take up residence in 'the largest block of flats in the Southern Hemisphere'. As bush fires rage on the edge of the city, they meet Desiree, a young girl from downstairs with apocalyptic predictions. Sparks fly. Tensions escalate. Twilight approaches...
{
48pp,
140x210mm,
April 2008;
PB,
£10.50,
0868198331:9780868198330
, Currency Press
} |
 |
KIDS' ACTING FOR BRAIN SURGEONS, 2ND EDITION
: Everything You Need to Know to Get Your Kid into Show Business
[Angela Bertolino]
Readers will read about the basic tools they will need to get their kids started in the entertainment industry, a bunch of tips and tricks along the way, and find out how a so-called 'talent agency' scams unsuspecting families out of thousands of dollars. Get informed so you don't get ripped off. This second edition is completely revised and loaded with useful advice to help parents and children navigate their way through the entertainment industry. Just a few of the subjects covered in this book: getting professional photos on a budget; creating a resume even if you have no credits; marketing your children effectively; audition do's and dont's; practice scenes and monologues; complete listings of casting companies and talent agencies working with kids; direct advice from agents, stage moms, and a working child actor; and a reference section of pay rates, financial advice, industry terms, studio addresses, and industry phone numbers and Internet links.
{
329pp,
140x215mm,
July 2007;
PB,
£18.50,
1893899233:9781893899230
, AtlasBooks (Hollywood Os)
} |
 |
KING TIDE
[Katherine Thomson]
Three years ago, Sal was an award-winning investigative journalist. Uncovering government corruption and public scandals she was forever on the front line. But her son's death robbed Sal of her willingness to engage. Increasingly reclusive, she opted out, choosing to live in a borrowed beach house as she struggles to come to terms with her loss. When her teenage daughter brings home a Japanese surfer to stay, Sal finds herself confronted with a sense of danger that was once so vital to her life. "King Tide" is a surprising story of hope, emerging out of the love and vulnerability of two very different people. 1 act, 3 male, 2 female.
{
60pp,
135x210mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£8.99,
0868198048:9780868198040
, Currency Press
} |
 |
LAST DAYS OF DEMOCRACY
: How Big Media & Power-Hungry Government Are Turning America into a Dictatorship
[Elliot D Cohen PhD & Bruce W Fraser PhD]
In this chilling account of an America in political and cultural decline, media critics Elliot D. Cohen and Bruce W. Fraser show how mainstream media corporations like CNN, Fox, and NBC (General Electric) together with giant telecoms like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T have become administration pawns in a well-organised effort to hijack America. Cohen and Fraser show in blunt terms how incredible power, control, and wealth have been amassed in the hands of an elite few while the rest of us have been systematically manipulated, deceived, and divested of our freedom. Calling attention to the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), a carefully devised plan for international dominion launched by high officials in the Bush administration, this book tells the story of an America quietly being stripped of its democratic way of life on its way to becoming a full-blown authoritarian state. The authors detail how mainstream media have failed us in covering issues crucial to the survival of American democracy -- the Bush administration's domestic spying program; the facts about the September 11 attacks; presidential election fraud; the events leading up to the Iraq war; and the selling out of Internet freedom, to name just some. They reveal how corporate media have systematically attempted to dumb down and distract us from reality with sex and violence; how government has used corporate media to "shock and awe" Americans into surrendering their constitutional rights in the name of the "War on Terrorism"; and how media personalities have been complicit in the mass deception. The final chapter points out important ways in which Americans can counter the erosion of democracy by relying less on mainstream media and more on independent news sources, through grassroots activism, peaceful assembly, and exercising their free speech, and by using critical thinking to expose the dangers we face.
{
333pp,
140x215mm,
June 2007;
PB,
£13.50,
1591025044:9781591025047
, Prometheus Books
} |
 |
LIVING LOST
: Why We’re All Stuck on the Island
[Joley Wood]
Miracles, viruses, plane crashes and acts of terror perpetrated by a group of 'Others'. This is the perplexing and radical world created by J J Abrams in his hit television show, 'LOST'. Joley Wood, with wit and insight, explores the show’s quirky details, and argues for an idea as weird as the show itself: That we’re all stuck on the island.
{
266pp,
140x180mm,
January 2007;
PB,
£9.99,
1891053027:9781891053023
, Garrett County Press
} |
 |
LYRIC LANGUAGE LIVE! ITALIAN
: Learn Italian the Fun Way!
Ages 3 to 10 years. Audio CD, DVD & Book. With this expanded Lyric Language activity kit, children can watch live action music videos for each of the 21 songs on the DVD or listen to the original songs on the CD, then follow along using the brand new beautifully illustrated lyric and activity book with stickers which are re-useable.
{
48pp,
205x255mm,
January 2008;
MM,
£12.34,
1591259304:9781591259305
, Penton Overseas Inc
} |
 |
MAKE IT AUSTRALIAN!
: The APG, the Pram Factory & New Wave Theatre
[Gabrielle Wolf, Ph.D.]
The Australian Performing Group, or APG, helped to bring about a profound change in Australian theatre and nurtured the talents of a generation of writers and performers who have become household names including Max Gillies, David Williamson, Graeme Blundell, Jack Hibberd, Sue Ingleton and Grieg Pickhaver (aka H G Nelson). Yet to date the only published full-length accounts of the group have been written by former members. "Make it Australian!" gives an outsider's view of this influential group and the social, political and cultural context in which it operated. Through its observation of the personalities, conflicts and ideologies embedded in the APG, it challenges myths, reveals paradoxes and investigates divergences between the professed aims of its members and what the group did. This is the first critical history of APG and the book traces the group's development from its beginnings at La Mama Theatre in 1968 through its flowering at the Pram Factory and to its demise in 1981. It draws on interviews with key members, reviews of productions and an analysis of significant plays.
{
288pp,
150x230mm,
February 2008;
PB,
£21.50,
0868198161:9780868198163
, Currency Press
} |
 |
MANIFESTO FOR A NEW THEATRE
[Pier Paolo Paolini]
Originally published in 1968, this treatise provides insight into one man's disappointment with his own work while derisively attacking the uselessness and presumption of the Italian theatre establishment.
{
131pp,
140x215mm,
May 2008;
PB,
£11.99,
1550712829:9781550712827
, Guernica
} |
 |
MARIA CALLAS
: La Divina / La Musica
Book & 4 CDs. Text in English, German & Italian. Thirty years after her death, Maria Callas is still one of the great divas of the opera. The soprano singer -- unique in her self-dramatisation, expression and musicality -- is remembered for her brilliant performances on opera stages around the world. Her breakthrough came in Verona in 1947 but it was La Scala in Milan where she celebrated her greatest triumphs. Her love affair with Aristotle Onassis made headlines the world over. This book shows the life of the great singer, her childhood and her big stage success. It also offers an intimate glimpse at her private life. Music CDs: The CDs present the highlights of Callas' work: Norma; Tosca; Aida; and many more.
{
120pp,
280x280mm,
March 2008;
HB,
£29.99,
3940004367:9783940004369
, earBOOKS
} |
 |
MASTERY OF MIMODRAME, 2ND EDITION
: An In-Depth Study of Mime Technique
[Todd Farley & Marilyn Farley]
Book & DVD. Featuring Todd and Marilyn Farley. An in-depth study of mime technique. These international mime artists, trained in Paris by Marcel Marceau, have taught mime workshops around the world. This DVD and workbook program presents a comprehensive series of mime exercises for student practice and review. Each technique is explained step-by-step in the illustrated book and shown clearly and slowly on the videotape. Some techniques include: Body Positioning, Communicating With the Body, and The Living Character. Also includes the techniques of creating an illusion, object identification and gestural coloration and decolouration. Approximate running time of the DVD: 55 minutes.
{
35pp,
215x280mm,
January 2007;
PB,
£19.99,
DV07
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
MORE SCENES & MONOLOGS FROM THE BEST NEW PLAYS
: An Anthology of New Dramatic Writing from Professionally-Produced Plays
[Roger Ellis (ed)]
This sequel edition contains new works from plays produced in the U.S. and Europe. It offers young actors a broad spectrum of challenges with contemporary styles and relevant topics in a variety of lengths. In addition to the scenes and monologues, the book includes nineteen useful exercises for strengthening acting skills. Many of the pieces require that performers dig deep into their imaginations to use their own emotional resources to create the many unique and fascinating characters included in the work. A short acting preface precedes each selection to help guide the actors' interpretations. Six sections: Scenes for Two Women, Scenes for Two Men, Scenes for One Man and One Woman, Monologues for Women, Monologues for Men and Additional Resources. Recommended as a text or a supplemental resource for acting classes.
{
233pp,
140x215mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£10.99,
1566081424:9781566081429
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
NIGHTWATCHMAN
[Daniel Kenne]
Bill has lived a life amongst the rambling beauty of the old family home. Now he's gone blind, and children Helen and Michael have returned for a few days to move him to a secure apartment. On the outside Bill is stoic, resigned to his fate, but inside he silently rages against the darkness. Helen feels the weight of responsibility -- for both her father and her own family. The fragility of her marriage has her longing for the untroubled days of childhood. Photographer Michael is on the verge of a quiet breakdown, having for years avoided meaningful connection with any human being. Drawn together in a garden full of echoes, the three discover tender memories of the shared past unwilling to release them. . . "The Nightwatchman" is an incredibly moving, poetic and ultimately life-affirming ode to the human spirit and the memories that define us. 3 acts, 2 male, 1 female.
{
47pp,
135x210mm,
March 2007;
PB,
£8.99,
0868198013:9780868198019
, Currency Press
} |
 |
OCTOBER
[Ian Wilding]
Tim, an airline pilot and Angela, his young, beautiful wife, live the successful urban dream in a streamlined apartment in the inner city. One night a friend of Angela's, Dez, pays them a visit. There's just one problem: Angela flatly denies she's ever met him, and despite Dez's growing protestations, she wants him out. Rejected and humiliated, Dez leaves. But not before making some seemingly ominous threats. Now Angela and Tim are having trouble readjusting. Dez has thrown their comfortable lives out of kilter and fear of future incursions escalates. Enter Dick, private eye -- smarmy and menacing by turns, a Man who Makes Things Happen. Though he charges by the hour and his approach is definitely unconventional, Dick may be exactly what the situation requires... 9 scenes, 3 male, 1 female.
{
45pp,
140x215mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£8.99,
0868198021:9780868198026
, Currency Press
} |
 |
OLD BROWN SUITCASE
[Lillian Boraks-Nemetz]
Ages 10 & over. "The Old Brown Suitcase", an award-winning book that has sold extraordinarily well both nationally and internationally, now appears in a new edition. The novel narrates the absorbing story of a young girl who survived the Holocaust against all odds. Slava, a fourteen-year-old teen, comes to Canada with her parents and sister and a suitcase filled with memories of a lost childhood, memories that now haunt her new life. She cannot forget the hunger, stench and disease in the Warsaw Ghetto, nor the fear and humiliation of being incarcerated behind a high brick wall. She cannot forget her extraordinary escape from the Ghetto, leaving behind her beloved parents and sister. Nor can she forget being swallowed up in a strange and unknown place to survive under a hidden identity. The story juxtaposes heart-wrenching scenes from a child's life in war-torn Poland with the life of a teenager trying to adjust to a new country in time of peace. In Canada, it is not easy for Slava to build a bridge between two cultures; nor is it easy to live with the turmoil of her immediate past. At the same time she must face the new challenges involved in being an immigrant, a Jew and a teenage girl. Historical notes on the Warsaw ghetto and a bibliography for future reading have been appended for those who wish further insights.
{
202pp,
135x195mm,
March 2008;
PB,
£6.50,
1553800575:9781553800576
, Ronsdale Press
} |
 |
ONE LESS BITTER ACTOR
: The Actor's Survival Guide
[Markus Flanagan]
An invaluable reference for anyone who is a working actor, or wants to be. Learn how to make it in the day-to-day business of acting and stay sane and focused while attempting to merge art and commerce. This book covers everything the author wishes someone had told him about how casting decisions are made, what rejection really means, how to behave on a set, the two factors the business is built on, and much more.
{
174pp,
140x215mm,
December 2007;
PB,
£10.99,
1591810639:9781591810636
, Sentient Publications
} |
 |
PARRAMATTA GIRLS
[Alana Valentine]
The inmates of Girls Training School, Parramatta had about as hard an upbringing as you can get in Australia. But theirs is also one of the great untold stories of making good in tough times. Based on the testimony of dozens of GTS old-girls, this vibrant new play is a joyous and harrowing dramatisation of the experiences of eight inmates and their reunion forty years later. Interspersed with song and storytelling, this is a tribute to mischief and humour in the face of hardship and inequality. 2 acts, 8 female.
{
81pp,
135x210mm,
July 2007;
PB,
£12.99,
0868198110:9780868198118
, Currency Press
} |
 |
PATRICK MCGOOHAN
: Danger Man or Prisoner?
[Roger Langley; Foreword by Peter Falk]
This is the definitive tribute to one of Britain’s brightest stars, affirming his cult status as a guiding light in international film, television and theatre. Often combining the key roles of actor, writer, director and producer, Patrick McGoohan is a complex Renaissance artist with an impressive body of work. His achievements and failures reveal a driven, highly moral, highly creative star, who steadfastly abhors the glare of publicity. Despite his reluctance to embrace the media frenzy which surrounds 'show business', McGoohan's enigmatic screen persona and his fearless dedication to the performing arts continue to conquer and fascinate new audiences all over the world. He has been described as "The British Orson Welles" by folksinger and fan, Donovan. McGoohan and his work still have fan clubs all over the world. This book will tell you why! Lavishly illustrated with never before seen images, the book explains the enigma that is McGOOHAN! Includes 450 rare photographs.
REVIEW: "Probably one of the best books of the year" -- European Radio Features, for the Book Review Programme broadcast on radio stations across Europe. "Spend some time with Roger Langley's Danger Man Or Prisoner? and you'll come away feeling you know what truly makes the heart beat inside this extraordinary and quite unique British actor of ours." -- Brighton Magazine, 1st November 2007.
{
340pp,
170x245mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£14.99,
0953192644:9780953192649
, Tomahawk Press
} |
 |
PEACH SEASON
[Debra Oswald]
After the murder of her husband, Celia has shut herself and her 16-year-old daughter Zoë away, toiling on a peach farm in the middle of nowhere. The arrival of two young people to help during picking season heralds the beginning of the end for Celia’s safe existence. Her daughter falls in love with enigmatic, erratic Kieran, but when the relationship is threatened, they run away together. The safe, perhaps smothering, world that Celia has created unravels; her paranoia and insecurities amplified to full volume. Playing out alongside her fear, we see the increasingly degrading and dangerous lifestyle that the two elopers have fallen into. 2 acts, 2 male, 4 female.
{
72pp,
135x210mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£12.99,
0868198056:9780868198057
, Currency Press
} |
 |
PHALLIC FRENZY
: Ken Russell & His Films
[Joseph Lanza]
A biography of director Ken Russell that details the wild ideas, surreal moments, personal faith, and cavalcade of colourful personalities surrounding this eccentric filmmaker -- on and off the set. Best known for the acclaimed movies Altered States, The Devils, Gothic, The Music Lovers, Tommy, and Women in Love, Russell redefined cinema in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, working with magnetic actors like Jack Nicholson, Michael Caine, Ann-Margret, William Hurt, Gabriel Byrne, and Vanessa Redgrave. Moments of Russell's career are highlighted in this intimate biography, including how creative differences between Russell and producer Robert Stigwood stopped production of a movie version of Evita, how he creatively staged the love duet between Faust and Helen over a bowl of pasta in the opera Mephistopheles, and how Alan Bates and Oliver Reed compared their penis size for the nude wrestling scene in Women in Love.
REVIEW: "It seems inevitable that any conversation about Ken Russell is going to involve penises, and Phallic Frenzy: Ken Russell and his Films by Joseph Lanza (Chicago £16.95) gets to the point, as it were, from the outset. Russell's film life has been a bacchanal in which burlesque is used to shape serious cinematic ideas. To enjoy him is to surrender to a voluptuary and not worry about the end-of-the-pier acting, so it's no wonder that critic Pauline Kael thought the man was mad. Had Russell been Italian he would be as revered as Fellini. Instead, it's still impossible to see many of his films. At least we have the next best thing in an enjoyable biography of a frustrating visionary who could create haunting scenes of passion and decay, but could do nothing to help a bad actor." -- Independent on Sunday, 16th December 2007.
{
378pp,
155x230mm,
August 2007;
HB,
£17.99,
1556526695:9781556526695
, IPG (Chicago Review Press)
} |
 |
PIANO
[Gail Jones]
"The Piano", written and directed by Jane Campion, is one of the most honoured films of the new Australian cinema, and is considered by many critics to be a modern masterpiece. Campion won the Palme D'Or at Cannes in 1993 for the film, making her the first woman ever to win this prestigious award; it also won Best Original Screenplay (Campion), Best Actress (Holly Hunter) and Best Supporting Actress (Anna Paquin) at the 1994 Oscars. In 1880 the widowed, and mute, Ada (Holly Hunter) and her young daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin) leave their native Scotland and travel to New Zealand's remote South Island, as the arranged family of Stewart (Sam Neil), an Englishman who lives and works the land there. With them come Ada's piano which serves as her outlet of expression, her 'voice'. Despite fierce insistence from Ada, Stewart leaves the piano on the beach after he decides it is too heavy to carry back to his homestead. Stewart's neighbour Baines (Harvey Kietel) makes a deal with Stewart for the piano and lessons with Ada, which has dire repercussions for them all. Gail Jones' essay brings a fresh and original vision to this acclaimed film in Currency's Australian Screen Classics series.
{
86pp,
140x190mm,
May 2007;
PB,
£9.99,
0868197998:9780868197999
, Currency Press
} |
 |
PLAYS OF THE 50'S
: Volume 1
[Katharine Brisbane (ed)]
Four plays from the 1950s: "Sky Without Birds" by Oriel Gray; "Shipwreck" by Douglas Stewart; "The Night of the Ding-Dong" by Ralph Peterson; and "The Day Before Tomorrow" by Ric Throssell. Introduced by Katharine Brisbane.
{
276pp,
155x230mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£19.50,
0868196274:9780868196275
, Currency Press
} |
 |
PORK CHOP & OTHER STORIES
: A Memoir
[Lowell Green]
On the eve of his 50th year in broadcasting, Lowell Green is the godfather of talk radio. No other talk show host in North America has been doing talk radio as long or as successfully. In the course of his career, Lowell has not only reported on the news of the day, he has helped to create it. From his earliest formative years in small-town Ontario, with its cast of extraordinary characters, through a lifetime of adventure and outspoken service to his community, Lowell's memoir, will touch the hearts and tickle the funny bones of friends and foes alike. From saving the Centennial Flame, speaking out in support of Canada's war veterans and repatriating Canada's flag, to co-founding Big Brothers of Ottawa, founding the Help Santa Claus Parade and helping to raise millions for charities, Lowell Green is known as a man who gets things done... and isn't afraid to ruffle feathers in the process.
{
256pp,
155x230mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£14.99,
1894439325:9781894439329
, Creative Bound Inc.
} |
 |
PROP MASTER
: A Guidebook for Successful Theatrical Prop Management
[Amy Mussman. Illustrated by James Mussman]
Whether you are a professional, volunteer or student prop master for a play production, this book reviews what a demanding theatre tech position this is. There is a lot more to propping a show than many theatre people realise. The twelve chapters of this book provide clear definitions of the job in action. They tell how to build a props department, how to create props and how to work with the technical crew, designers, supervisors and performers. Until now there has been no comprehensive manual or guidebook like this to lead a prop master through the entire process. No prop master should work without this guide as a ready reference to solve many unexpected problems. The book is divided into twelve chapters: What Are Props?; The Prop Master; Interacting with Other People; A Successful Work Environment; The Prop Shop; Collections and Files; The First Steps of the Building Process; Start "Propping"; Rehearsals and Performances; Safety; Timeless Tips and Techniques; Basic Theatre Terminology. Amy Mussman has over ten years of experience working as prop master for professional theatre companies.
{
185pp,
140x215mm,
April 2008;
PB,
£13.50,
1566081548:9781566081542
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
PUNCH POLICHINELLE & PULCINELLA
[Michael Byrom]
The author describes his book as 'Miscellaneous Punch-ups and Reflections'. It completes a forty year study of the history of Mr Punch and consolidates Byrom's international vision of the four outstanding manifestations of the archetypal figure as represented in England, France, Italy and Russia. In particular it includes a new examination of Polichinelle, the French punch, both as a glove-puppet and as a marionette in the Parisian Fairs of the 18th century. This has been made possible with the recent publication by a French scholar of a study of the 'corpus théatral de Polichinelle' revealed in the Soleinne Collection of manuscripts that have lain buried in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris for over two hundred years. About one third of the present book consists of the best of the author's magazine articles and reviews -- usually contentious but never dull. A complete English translation of two genuine 19th century Polichinelle glove-puppet texts with illustrations of the puppets are included as an Appendix.
{
143pp,
140x215mm,
March 2007;
HB,
£16.95,
0955485207:9780955485206
, Richard Joseph Publishers (Millbrook Press)
} |
 |
RIFLEMIND
[Andrew Upton]
John was once the front-man in one of the world’s biggest bands, Riflemind. Now John and his wife Lynn are safe from the world in their walled country house. Money and anonymity, however, won't protect them from themselves or their past. As a comeback tour nears, a weekend of music-making is planned. As soon as the band and associated spouses, lovers and hangers-on arrive, it’s a rock 'n' roll circus. With their apparent affluence, preposterous egos and rock-god lifestyles, each of them struggles to find redemption. Over this weekend they will open old wounds, lose their way, play great music and, perhaps, stumble into a more certain future. 1 act, 5 male, 2 female.
{
92pp,
135x190mm,
December 2007;
PB,
£7.99,
0868198234:9780868198231
, Currency Press
} |
 |
ROMULUS, MY FATHER
[Nick Drake]
"Romulus, My Father" is based on Raimond Gaita's critically acclaimed memoir. It tells the story of Romulus, his beautiful wife, Christina, and their struggle in the face of great adversity to bring up their son, Raimond. It is a story of impossible love that ultimately celebrates the unbreakable bond between father and son. Central to "Romulus, My Father" is the story of how a compassionate and honest man taught his son the meaning of living a decent life, triumphing over a new life in Australia scarred by profound tragedy. The young Raimond is ultimately saved from the downward spiral of these circumstances by the compassion and honesty of his father. "Romulus, My Father" was adapted for the screen by poet and playwright, Nick Drake and developed with director Richard Roxburgh over seven years. The book contains an extended foreword by Raimond Gaita which gives profound insight into the process of moving from memoir to screenplay to film. The published screenplay also includes significant scenes omitted from the film which shed further light on both the story and the process. Together they unearth important detail behind this extraordinary film.
{
100pp,
140x215mm,
May 2007;
PB,
£12.99,
0868198102:9780868198101
, Currency Press
} |
 |
SEED
[Kate Mulvany]
A compelling, tightly-woven and thrilling exploration of a very real family and the repercussions of war. Meet Rose Maloney. Her dad Danny went to Vietnam. Her grandfather Brian is ex-IRA. Today is their collective birthday. From this intimate reunion, The Seed opens itself up over and over again until a silent family battle becomes a national story about finding new life amongst the rubble of old wars. This play has a very special kind of honesty and humour to it which sorts the great lies we buy into from the reality we live through.
{
64pp,
140x210mm,
February 2008;
PB,
£11.99,
0868198269:9780868198262
, Currency Press
} |
 |
SERPENT'S TEETH
: Two Plays: Citizens / Soldiers
[Daniel Keene]
Two one-act plays by Daniel Keene. "Citizens" is set at the dividing wall of an unspecified war-torn country. Over the course of the play, the fragility and nobility of the human spirit at its most vulnerable is carefully probed and laid bare (1 act, 9 male, 5 female). "Soldiers" has been commissioned for the STC Actors Company as a companion piece to Citizens. Set in an echoing Air Force hangar, family members gather to receive the bodies of their sons, brothers and friends lost in an unspecified conflict abroad (1 act, 9 male, 5 female).
{
58pp,
135x190mm,
April 2008;
PB,
£10.50,
0868198382:9780868198385
, Currency Press
} |
 |
SHRIMP
[Dominic Hong Duc Golding]
Vietnamese war-baby Dominic Hong Duc Golding was airlifted out of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War and adopted into an Australian family in Mount Gambier. In 1999, he returned to Vietnam for his own tour of duty. A co-production by La Mama and Melbourne Workers Theatre, Shrimp is a tour de force theatrical autobiography, taking us to the streets of war-torn Saigon, the wet pastures of Mount Gambier and the varied landscapes of modern Vietnam where Dom returns to find his family. Reflecting upon his rural upbringing and the chaos of Saigon, the partially-hearing impaired (due to mortar fire) Dom tries to reconcile his battle over footy, fish sauce and finding himself. 1 act, 2 male, 1 female.
{
58pp,
135x210mm,
May 2007;
PB,
£11.50,
0868198080:9780868198088
, Currency Press
} |
 |
SIMPSONOLOGY
: There's a Little Bit of Springfield in All of Us
[Tim Delaney]
In this amusing and informative appreciation of 'The Simpsons', sociologist Tim Delaney looks at the many ways America's longest-running sitcom and animated TV program reflects American culture. For more than fifteen years, the Simpsons have touched upon nearly every aspect of the American social scene -- from family dynamics and social mores to local customs and national institutions. With over four hundred episodes aired so far, Delaney finds a goldmine of insights couched in parody on any number of perennial topics. On television's influence on American culture, Krusty the Clown says, "Would it really be worth living in a world without television? I think the survivors would envy the dead." On New Age religion, Homer says, "To think, I turned to a cult for mindless happiness when I had beer all along." On the thorny issue of gun ownership and home security, Homer purchases a pistol at "Bloodbath and Beyond" and then tells Marge, "I don't have to be careful, I got a gun." On the theme of community spirit, Bart thoughtlessly signs up with a local Boy Scout troop while on a sugar rush from eating a 'Super-Squishee'. The next day he realises what he has done: "Oh, no. I joined the Junior Campers!" To which his sister, Lisa, responds: "The few, the proud, the geeky." Delaney finds many more episodes relevant to major sociological issues such as environmentalism, feminism, romance and marriage, politics, education, health, ageing, and more. Students of popular culture and laypersons alike will learn basic sociological concepts and theories in a refreshing, jargon-free work that offers plenty of entertainment.
{
411pp,
155x230mm,
March 2008;
PB,
£12.99,
1591025591:9781591025597
, Prometheus Books
} |
 |
SIXTY COMEDY DUET SCENES FOR TEENS
: Real-life Situations for Laughter
[Laurie Allen]
These scenes take place in the confines of school and are easily staged. The incredibly believable teen characters are daring, outlandish, uninhibited and creative as they deal with situations exaggerated by their own attitudes, perceptions and actions. The scenes focus on subjects they know very well -- dating, appearances, egos, fads, crushes, breaking rules, broken hearts, failing grades, embarrassing moments and much more. These are realistic scenes that help the teen audience and performers laugh at themselves. Perfect for classroom practice or an evening of entertainment.
{
209pp,
140x215mm,
April 2008;
16,
£11.50,
1566081521:9781566081528
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
SONGKET / THIS TERRITORY
[Noëlle Janaczewska]
"Songket" -- What happens when one person's culture is another's crime? Koua Neng Vang, a Hmong migrant is accused of raping Chan, a young textile designer. Was it sexual assault? Or did Koua recognise, in Chan's confused signals, the enduring rituals of courtship? "Songket" is about different cultural notions of love and how the law does, or doesn't, accommodate cultural diversity. "This Territory" -- was developed in the wake of the 2005 Cronulla riots through a six-month research and consultation process with young people across Sydney. The play centres on a violent incident witnessed by a large group of young people, but they disagree about its details and their significance. In trying to get the story straight, the characters start to navigate relationships across the boundaries of ethnicity, gender, education and prejudice. They are Australia -- a hotbed of cultures, and they are on fire.
{
160pp,
140x210mm,
May 2008;
PB,
£13.50,
0868198307:9780868198309
, Currency Press
} |
 |
STORY OF THE MIRACLES AT COOKIE'S TABLE
[Wesley Enoch]
In the 1870's a girl is born under a tree -- her birth tree -- chosen to give her strength and wisdom. When the tree is cut down she follows it into the white man's world, working as a cook for the big house on the island. Her tree has become a kitchen table, one she will pass down through successive generations as a legacy -- a way of carving out her family stories. Now, generations later, a young man and his mother fight for ownership of the table. Directed by Marion Potts, the play is full of humour and is deeply affecting. Gently peeling away the layers of storytelling, it reveals the communal binds that lie beneath them. A moving testament to culture lived, lost and found, the strength of family, adapting and gathering together. 2 acts, 2 male, 2 female.
{
60pp,
135x210mm,
August 2007;
PB,
£8.99,
086819803X:9780868198033
, Currency Press
} |
 |
STOLEN
: Revised Edition
[Jane Harrison]
"Stolen" tells of five Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families, brought up in a repressive children's home and trained for domestic service and other menial jobs. Segregated from their community, after their release they begin their journey 'home', not all of them successfully. The pain, the poignancy and sheer desperation of their lives is seen through the children's own eyes as they struggle to make sense of a world where they have been told to forget their families, forget their homes and forget their culture. This tender and moving story, awash with the humour of innocents, goes further than any previous account to bring the tragic story of the Stolen Generations to the Australian stage. 1 act, 2 male, 3 female.
{
36pp,
140x210mm,
January 2007;
PB,
£10.50,
0868197971:9780868197975
, Currency Press
} |
 |
STORIES IN THE DARK
[Debra Oswald]
A terrified 12-year-old boy finds himself separated from his family in the unfamiliar streets of a war torn city. He takes refuge in a bombed-out house and in the total blackness his bravado crumbles into tears. Into his life steps Anna -- older, street smart and scornful of his crying. As a way of shutting the boy up, she starts to tell him a story that she vaguely remembers from her own childhood. And so begins a journey into the shifting, shimmering world of ogres, princes, singing bones, foolish lads and wolf-mothers. "Stories in the Dark" explores the power of storytelling, mingling the magic and earthy wisdom of folk tales with the hard-edged story of violence, conflict and the struggle to survive. (2 acts, 24 male, 11 female).
{
56pp,
135x210mm,
April 2008;
PB,
£9.99,
0868198315:9780868198316
, Currency Press
} |
 |
SUCCESS IN THE ARTS
: What It Takes to Make It in Creative Fields
[A Michael Shumate]
Talent is not enough, sometimes it's not even the most important quality to promote success in the arts, says author A. Michael Shumate. His new book, 'Success in the Arts' encourages straight thinking and professional attitudes in aspiring artists. He means artists in the broadest sense: musicians, visual artists, actors, dancers, filmmakers and writers. Each page contains an essential tip, entertaining illustration or pointed quote to guide any would-be artist. Shumate shoots from the hip with real-world advice plus realistic counsel and encouragement.
{
128pp,
140x215mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£7.50,
0973933356:9780973933352
, AtlasBooks (Elfstone Press)
} |
|
STORY OF THE MIRACLES AT COOKIE'S TABLE
[Wesley Enoch]
In the 1870's a girl is born under a tree -- her birth tree -- chosen to give her strength and wisdom. When the tree is cut down she follows it into the white man's world, working as a cook for the big house on the island. Her tree has become a kitchen table, one she will pass down through successive generations as a legacy -- a way of carving out her family stories. Now, generations later, a young man and his mother fight for ownership of the table. Directed by Marion Potts, the play is full of humour and is deeply affecting. Gently peeling away the layers of storytelling, it reveals the communal binds that lie beneath them. A moving testament to culture lived, lost and found, the strength of family, adapting and gathering together. 2 acts, 2 male, 2 female.
{
60pp,
135x210mm,
August 2007;
PB,
£8.99,
086819803X:9780868198033
, Currency Press
} |
 |
TELL IT LIKE IT IS
: Fifty Monologs For Talented Teens
[Peg Kehret]
A thought-provoking new collection of monologues by best-selling author Peg Kehret! Each monologue creates a moment of recognition that makes both the performer and the audience smile -- and think! Most are structured to provide insights of discovery to reveal who we are and why. Every young actor performing one of these monologues will recount a memorable event that opened the way to maturity. But there's more than just provocative thoughts in this collection -- many of the monologues can be performed for laughter alone. All monologues are easily adaptable for boys or girls. Sample titles include: 'I Need a Cell Phone', 'Toto Tells the Truth about Oz', 'The Day I Was a Dog', 'Remembering Little Rock', 'The Four-Part Plan for a New Me', 'Taking the SAT' and 'How to Be Proactive in Maths'.
{
118pp,
140x215mm,
March 2007;
PB,
£10.99,
1566081440:9781566081443
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
|
SUCCESS IN THE ARTS
: What It Takes to Make It in Creative Fields
[A Michael Shumate]
Talent is not enough, sometimes it's not even the most important quality to promote success in the arts, says author A. Michael Shumate. His new book, 'Success in the Arts' encourages straight thinking and professional attitudes in aspiring artists. He means artists in the broadest sense: musicians, visual artists, actors, dancers, filmmakers and writers. Each page contains an essential tip, entertaining illustration or pointed quote to guide any would-be artist. Shumate shoots from the hip with real-world advice plus realistic counsel and encouragement.
{
128pp,
140x215mm,
February 2007;
PB,
£7.50,
0973933356:9780973933352
, AtlasBooks (Elfstone Press)
} |
 |
TENOR VOICE
: A Manual for Training the Voice
[Anthony Frisell]
This manual is designed for training the beginning and advanced singing male voices. It explains the mechanisms of the singing instrument that control range, pronunciation of pure vowels, and the full range of dynamics.
{
124pp,
215x280mm,
July 2007;
PB,
£19.99,
0828321833:9780828321839
, Branden Publishing
} |
 |
THIRTY SHORT COMEDY PLAYS FOR TEENS
: Plays For a Variety of Cast Sizes
[Laurie Allen]
Real life teen dilemmas written as comedy. These thirty short plays give teenage performers a chance to portray the drama of their everyday lives. They may act crazy, push boundaries and discover themselves as the plays permit them to show off their talents. The actors can create outrageous characters in the context of situations they know so well. Sample titles include: 'The Kissing Booth', 'Four Boyfriends', 'Last Free Summer' and 'The Babysitter'. Inexperienced actors will come alive as performers because they playlets offer natural dialog and believable situations. The plays are for two to six actors. Excellent for contest use.
{
176pp,
140x215mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£11.50,
1566081432:9781566081436
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
SUPERMAN VS. HOLLYWOOD
: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, & Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon
[Jake Rossen]
Tinseltown's fascination with the comic icon is detailed in this book, encompassing all the behind-the-scenes machinations that helped shape Superman into a screen legend -- and all the derailed projects that have vilified everyone involved. These newly uncovered stories about the odyssey of bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen include the challenge of making Superman appear to fly, and the many casting processes, which at various points had Superman being played by the likes of Bruce Jenner, Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Justin Timberlake, Keanu Reeves, and even Muhammad Ali. Based on extensive interviews with producers, screenwriters, cast members, and crew, this exposé spills the beans on all the various TV shows, from the classic The Adventures of Superman to the current hit Smallville; the various animated efforts on both the large and small screens; and the movies -- from 1979's smash hit Superman: The Movie to 2006's wildly expensive Superman Returns. Also included are the stories about the Superman movies that never made it to the screen, helmed by maverick directors Kevin Smith and Tim Burton, and featuring expenditures on scripts and sets that are even more eye-popping than the films' special effects.
{
352pp,
125x230mm,
February 2008;
PB,
£11.50,
1556527314:9781556527319
, IPG (Chicago Review Press)
} |
 |
WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE?
[Carolyn McGivern]
The first part of a series investigating cult television looks at Westerns from the days of Action in the Afternoon; a 1953 classic where the action was shot live and horses wandered in and out of the scenes at will, through to the Lone Ranger, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, Larami, The High Chaparral, The Virginian, Bonanza, Johnny Ringo and ending up at Zorro and Son. No stone is left unturned and 199 shows from a golden yesteryear are dusted down. Exciting and rarely seen stills carry the reader back to a time when life was simple and every wrong was set right, often in just half an hour. Morality was not complex and we were all secure in the knowledge that evil could never triumph. Well researched and beautifully put together to appeal to all lovers and students of the "good old days" (they certainly don't make 'em like this any more!). Checks out how and why the Western died on television, and also what happened to the stars after they hung up their gun belts. Probably the biggest and best television history to be seen this year.
{
351pp,
180x260mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£19.99,
0954003128:9780954003128
, Sorelli Publishing (Reel Publishing)
} |
|
TELL IT LIKE IT IS
: Fifty Monologs For Talented Teens
[Peg Kehret]
A thought-provoking new collection of monologues by best-selling author Peg Kehret! Each monologue creates a moment of recognition that makes both the performer and the audience smile -- and think! Most are structured to provide insights of discovery to reveal who we are and why. Every young actor performing one of these monologues will recount a memorable event that opened the way to maturity. But there's more than just provocative thoughts in this collection -- many of the monologues can be performed for laughter alone. All monologues are easily adaptable for boys or girls. Sample titles include: 'I Need a Cell Phone', 'Toto Tells the Truth about Oz', 'The Day I Was a Dog', 'Remembering Little Rock', 'The Four-Part Plan for a New Me', 'Taking the SAT' and 'How to Be Proactive in Maths'.
{
118pp,
140x215mm,
March 2007;
PB,
£10.99,
1566081440:9781566081443
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
|
TENOR VOICE
: A Manual for Training the Voice
[Anthony Frisell]
This manual is designed for training the beginning and advanced singing male voices. It explains the mechanisms of the singing instrument that control range, pronunciation of pure vowels, and the full range of dynamics.
{
124pp,
215x280mm,
July 2007;
PB,
£19.99,
0828321833:9780828321839
, Branden Publishing
} |
|
THIRTY SHORT COMEDY PLAYS FOR TEENS
: Plays For a Variety of Cast Sizes
[Laurie Allen]
Real life teen dilemmas written as comedy. These thirty short plays give teenage performers a chance to portray the drama of their everyday lives. They may act crazy, push boundaries and discover themselves as the plays permit them to show off their talents. The actors can create outrageous characters in the context of situations they know so well. Sample titles include: 'The Kissing Booth', 'Four Boyfriends', 'Last Free Summer' and 'The Babysitter'. Inexperienced actors will come alive as performers because they playlets offer natural dialog and believable situations. The plays are for two to six actors. Excellent for contest use.
{
176pp,
140x215mm,
April 2007;
PB,
£11.50,
1566081432:9781566081436
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
 |
TOY SYMPHONY
[Michael Gow]
Michael Gow's first full-length play in a decade is a dazzling tour-de-force of theatrical invention. Roland Henning has writer's block. When he tries to explain the situation to a therapist, his story begins to tumble back and forth between his childhood in The Shire and his work as a playwright. At the root of it all is that extraordinary day in primary school which shattered his boyhood and plunged him headlong into the dizzy circus of life and art. His story is funny, fiercely eloquent and shockingly honest. "Toy Symphony" is a wrestle between the vicious bastardry of being an artist and the sheer exhilaration of the creative act. (2 acts, 3 male, 2 female).
{
56pp,
140x210mm,
May 2008;
PB,
£11.99,
0868198285:9780868198286
, Currency Press
} |
 |
TRAM TO BONDI BEACH
[Adapted by Libby Hathorn & J Andrew Johnston]
Set in 1932 against the magical backdrop of Bondi Beach, in the year the Sydney Harbour Bridge opens, the days of Phar Lap and Charles Kingsford Smith, Keiran a boy from Bondi hopes to help his family survive the depression. Hurtling towards the beach one morning in the famous Bondi 'Rattler, Keiran is inspired to become a paper boy on the Bondi trams. No Sooner does his dream begin to take shape than it is threatened by Saxon, the chief paper boy. Tensions build as their rivalry grows and culminates in a dramatic climax with unexpected results. Can dreams really come true? Keiran's quest is to find out. (1 act, 4 male, 2 female).
{
62pp,
165x215mm,
March 2008;
PB,
£8.50,
0868198196:9780868198194
, Currency Press
} |
|
WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE?
[Carolyn McGivern]
The first part of a series investigating cult television looks at Westerns from the days of Action in the Afternoon; a 1953 classic where the action was shot live and horses wandered in and out of the scenes at will, through to the Lone Ranger, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, Larami, The High Chaparral, The Virginian, Bonanza, Johnny Ringo and ending up at Zorro and Son. No stone is left unturned and 199 shows from a golden yesteryear are dusted down. Exciting and rarely seen stills carry the reader back to a time when life was simple and every wrong was set right, often in just half an hour. Morality was not complex and we were all secure in the knowledge that evil could never triumph. Well researched and beautifully put together to appeal to all lovers and students of the "good old days" (they certainly don't make 'em like this any more!). Checks out how and why the Western died on television, and also what happened to the stars after they hung up their gun belts. Probably the biggest and best television history to be seen this year.
{
351pp,
180x260mm,
October 2007;
PB,
£19.99,
0954003128:9780954003128
, Sorelli Publishing (Reel Publishing)
} |
 |
YOUNG WOMEN'S MONOLOGUES FROM CONTEMPORARY PLAYS #2
: Professional Auditions for Aspiring Actresses
[Gerald Lee Ratliff (ed)]
So well-liked was the first collection of these contemporary monologues that we offer this sequel by popular demand. The monologues are wildly funny, tragically sad and yet courageous. The ultimate journey for this collection is to create the possibility of living lovingly as equals in our modern world. The monologues are organised in chapter themes with brief sketches to set the scene. The collection features well-known playwrights - Arthur Miller, Wendy Wasserstein, August Wilson - and many superb, emerging new writers. There are several original monologues written especially for classroom discussion and exploration. Sample titles include: "The Last Yankee" by Arthur Miller, "Boy Meets Girl" by Wendy Wasserstein, "The Underpants" adapted by Steve Martin, "Romantic Fools2 by Rich Orloff, "Voices from September 11" by Lavonne Mueller, "Funnylogues for Women" by Mort Kaufman, Roger Karshner and Zelda Abel, "W.A.C. Iraq" by Mel Nieves and many more.
{
234pp,
140x215mm,
April 2008;
PB,
£10.99,
156608153X:9781566081535
, Meriwether Publishing
} |
