Customer Reviews

The Actor Speaks: Voice and the Performer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book presents a practical guide for all working actors--whether they're preparing for their first role or their hundred and first. Actors have three tools to communicate with an audience--face, body, and voice. This book enables the actor to fully use the third as he performs.

The Actor Speaks is a practical guide to acting. It tells you what to do with your instrument. It is a great book for any performer. However it is purely practically, it doesn't get you out of playing Hamlet perfectly in the livingroom. To prepare for the real industry outside the practical I also recommend picking up "My Fractured Life" by Rikki Lee Travolta. It gives a very detailed and graphic look at real life as actors trying to make it in modern society and some tips on getting luck to play in your favor.

Ms. Rodenburg is one of the most wise and trusted teachers in the theater today. Her books are a veritable map of how to have and maintain a free voice - that which any good actor yearns to have, especially doing 8 shows a week as in the regionals or on Broadway. The books are the next best thing to being in the classroom with her - something every actor should experience at least once. Whether you are just beginning your acting studies, or in the thick of a professional career, this book will be an asset to you.

I highly recomend this book for budding young actors, it is filled with great tips and techniques. I loved it.

Patsy's work I think is fantastic. Patsy learnt from Cecily Berry, and Clifford Turner which laid her foundation down for her work.

She is very thorugher, and so thorugher I am still working my way through it (since last year!) So if you want something quick, fast and easy this book isnt for you.
Although I am not an actor , I bought the book to help me work with my voice so I can give better speeches.
Patsy covers everything I need to know, and although It is taking me some time I am improving.I think it is extremly challenging at times because some of her work ask you to do a lot of exercises . And you really need to make the time to do them all. I was reccomended to this book after completing a short actors course in Sydney by the voice director. And although I was a little skeptical at first, after all why buy an acting book to help with speech work? But the same principles apply.
For speakes, actors, performers, etc this is A MUST to have on your book shelf. Buy it and continuelly use it.
You can not afford to pass this book up for the sake of your career!

The book is useful only to actors because it contains too many exercises and details on voice production and support. It's very complicated and very large. However as the actors said, it's a bible for them. Buy it only if you are an actor...