The Actor's Guide to Performing Shakespeare: For Film, Television and Theater

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing and insightful book
Review: As a professional actor and director, I have read many books on playing Shakespeare, as well as books on Shakespearean theory and criticism. Some of these books were excellent, some poor. Mr. Harold's book is excellent. Harold offers a practical guide, full of insights and tricks I had never read or though of before. Through a conversational style, he guides the reader through many techniques and secrets of pentamter, prose, etc., and the result is clear. Using a non-academic writing style, Harold is readable and engaging. A fresh, exciting book for any performer.

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre but Reasonably Well-Researched
Review: As a professional actor and teacher of performance of some years, I found Mr. Harold's book both a refreshing take on "acting Shakespeare" and somewhat of a disapointment. While he does offer the reader some insight into the proper use of pentameter, rhythm, the beats of Shakespeare's language, he never manages to do more than that: provide some brief lesson or direction on a topic before shifting focus again to an entirely different area of study. The overall effect makes for a quick and easy read, one suitable to amateurs or high-school English classes, but not really appropriate for a professional or even semi-professional performance-instruction text. A solid effort that falls short of its mark and reputation, Harold's book left me wanting.

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre but Reasonably Well-Researched
Review: As a professional actor and teacher of performance of some years, I found Mr. Harold's book both a refreshing take on "acting Shakespeare" and somewhat of a disapointment. While he does offer the reader some insight into the proper use of pentameter, rhythm, the beats of Shakespeare's language, he never manages to do more than that: provide some brief lesson or direction on a topic before shifting focus again to an entirely different area of study. The overall effect makes for a quick and easy read, one suitable to amateurs or high-school English classes, but not really appropriate for a professional or even semi-professional performance-instruction text. A solid effort that falls short of its mark and reputation, Harold's book left me wanting.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Bet for Shakespeare
Review: As a professional actor, this book is by far the best thing I've ever read on playing Shakespeare. It's clear, concise and has loads of practical advice. The book is full of tips on playing Shakespeare which in my experience are unique and very valuable- unlike other books this method really works. It's a quick read, funny and inspiring and is sure to give the actor, experienced or not , a better understanding of how to really dig in to Shakespeare's text and make it come to life. Really a five star book!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Bet for Shakespeare
Review: As a professional actor, this book is by far the best thing I've ever read on playing Shakespeare. It's clear, concise and has loads of practical advice. The book is full of tips on playing Shakespeare which in my experience are unique and very valuable- unlike other books this method really works. It's a quick read, funny and inspiring and is sure to give the actor, experienced or not , a better understanding of how to really dig in to Shakespeare's text and make it come to life. Really a five star book!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I am a very special boy who needs extra help sometimes. Long time ago, Mister Harold was my teacher for some classes at my special school. He was a really good teacher. Now I have his brand new book, and he is still a really good teacher. I can carry my teacher in my back pack all the time! Thank you Mister Teacher Harold for your book. Now I am a very special boy and a very special actor too! I like this book alot, eh! I thank you and my family thanks you!

Rating:
Summary: Hooray for good book!
Review: I am a very special boy who needs extra help sometimes. Long time ago, Mister Harold was my teacher for some classes at my special school. He was a really good teacher. Now I have his brand new book, and he is still a really good teacher. I can carry my teacher in my back pack all the time! Thank you Mister Teacher Harold for your book. Now I am a very special boy and a very special actor too! I like this book alot, eh! I thank you and my family thanks you!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I read this book over Christmas, and found it more than helpful. The author makes Shakespeare so clear, and so easy for the actor, I wonder someone didn't write this book earlier. I am not a professional actor, but this book makes me want to play Shakespeare more than ever before. First-rate, simple, and brilliant.

Rating:
Summary: Showcasing the nuances of learning to perform classics
Review: The Actor's Guide To Performing Shakespeare For Film, Television And Theatre by actor, director, producer, teacher, and writer Madd Harold is a straightforward, superbly "user friendly" instructional guide to just about everything a moderately knowledgeable actor needs to know in order to bring Shakespeare's classics to life upon the stage. From narrative rhythms that anyone speaking lines in iambic pentameter should be aware of, to controlling one's breathing during dialogue, to what antithesis is when performing Shakespeare, The Actor's Guide To Performing Shakespeare is a comprehensive, informed, informative, and very highly recommended manual showcasing the nuances of learning to perform classic Shakespearian dramas and comedies.

Rating:
Summary: Showcasing the nuances of learning to perform classics
Review: The Actor's Guide To Performing Shakespeare For Film, Television And Theatre by actor, director, producer, teacher, and writer Madd Harold is a straightforward, superbly "user friendly" instructional guide to just about everything a moderately knowledgeable actor needs to know in order to bring Shakespeare's classics to life upon the stage. From narrative rhythms that anyone speaking lines in iambic pentameter should be aware of, to controlling one's breathing during dialogue, to what antithesis is when performing Shakespeare, The Actor's Guide To Performing Shakespeare is a comprehensive, informed, informative, and very highly recommended manual showcasing the nuances of learning to perform classic Shakespearian dramas and comedies.