Welcome to our Forbidden Bookstore!
| At Forbidden we believe in learning together and sharing our interests. Here are some books which we think might be of interest to other theatre practitioners, teachers, students and people in general! It is a mix of books on theatre and drama, books related to our artistic work and… well, books. |
The Space to Move:
Essentials of Movement Training
by Christian Darley
A beautiful book written by a practitioner completely in love with her subject and her students.
Full of anecdotes and exercises used in actor training that will be useful for anyone interested in how to remain connected to the body in performance.
A great advocate for giving us all space to create.
Book
of the
Month
Through the Body
by Dymphna Callery
One of the few books I've read which gives a good overview of what is going on in the contemporary world of UK physical theatre. A lovely mixture of practical games and exercises, theory, reflection and some history. A whole chapter on Devising too!
Why is that so funny?
by John Wright
Perhaps the best book on physical comedy I've ever read. Overflowing with fantastic games and exercises, this is a treasure trove for anyone interested in perusing this avenue of work. John Wright has laid down his life's work for you to explore - and all for the price of a book.
An Actor Adrift
by Yoshi Oida
An intelligent, insightful, indepth, inspiring look into cross cultural creativity within an ensemble experience. Having trained in Japanese traditional theatre techniques, Yoshi became the first member of Peter Brook's international theatre company. This book recounts his journey from Japan through Paris to India, from Noh to The Mahabharata, as an actor and a human.
To the Actor -
on the technique of acting
by Michael Chekhov
To The Actor is a handbook for all who wish to develop their physical performance skills. With exercises, examples and explanations, it is a practical text showing how to bring creative inspiration into the body to inform character, free up creative individuality, develop improvisation techniques and create atmosphere.
Playing Commedia
by Barry Grantham
This book is choc-full of warm-ups and exercises to propel you into the world of Commedia dell'Arte. All the characters/masks are covered , and unlike most books on the subject which feel the need to pad out the text with yet another 'history' of the form, this one offers routines and a system of training in the subject.
by Keith Johnstone
A classic. If you are looking for new games and exercises, you might prefer Impro for Storytellers or House of Games (below). This however, is a reflection on what makes us creative, spontaneous…. And it includes a riveting chapter on Masks and Trance.
by Keith Johnstone.
A continuation from the work in his land mark book 'Imrpo', this catalogue of improvisation games is peppered with insightful anecdotes from Mr Johnstone's vast experience.
Actor's Yearbook 2009
edited by Simon Dunmore et al.
An alternative to Contacts: it has the necessary information to allow you to decide who is suitable for you to contact for work.
An Actor's Guide to
Getting Work
by Simon Dunmore.
A very practical guide, full of common sense and recommendations. It will help you step into the shoes of potential employers.
Ways of seeing
by John Berger.
7 essays surrounding the act of 'seeing'. Covers all visual media and their innate relationships with their viewer, reader or audience. An essential read for any artist or designer. Originally accompanied a BBC TV series.
On Photography
by Susan Sontag.
Sontag explores the emergence of a new 'visual code', caused by the proliferation of imagery in the modern world. Her central thesis that the rise of the camera has irreparably altered our perception of and our reaction to any image has repercussions across the visual media.
Mythologies
by Roland Barthes.
The Godfather of semiotics delivers a series of short journalistic pieces on the nature of signs, symbols and meaning in the modern world. A handbook for anyone dealing in the visual or conceptual aspects of theatre . Translated from the original French.
Grand-Guignol: The French
Theatre of Horror'
by Richard J. Hand and Michael Wilson..
The most recent, and certainly the best English language book on the
subject. The authors run an on-going 'laboratory' to investigate the practicalities
of the art-form, and as a result their knowledge is based on experience
as well as historical research. Includes 10 original Grand Guignol scripts.
Universal Horrors'
by Tom Weaver et al..
Contains reviews and critical appraisals of every horror film made by Universal Studios between 1931 and 1946. This is the ONLY book to have on the subject. The authors love of the subject never blinds them to honest critiques of what we now regard as the 'classic' horror films. If we still practiced the funeral rites of the ancient Egyptians, I'd be packing this book into my tomb so I could enjoy it in the after life as well. Sublime.
Burglar Bill
by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
I used to read this to my little sisters - it was Hannah's favourite. Quite right too.