All Gall: Malicious Monologues & Ruthless Recitations: Paperback Book (Tour De Farce, V. 6) [Paperback]

Norman R. Shapiro (Author), Hal Leonard Corp. (Creator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1557833915 | ISBN-13: 978-1557833914 | Publication Date: February 1, 2000

Finally, a monologue book for actors with a malicious sense of humor - and a ruthless sense of joie de vivre! This galling collection contains scenes drawn from the masters of French humor - Georges Feydeau, Fernand Raynaud, et al. - written directly for the popular French farce theatre world, as well as from works intended primarily for the printed page.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation has become the worlds largest print music publisher, representing some of the greatest songwriters and artists of all time. We are proud to publish titles of interest to all musicians as well as music lovers, from songbooks and instructional titles to artist biographies and instrument price guides to books about the music industry and all the performing arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 22 pages
• Publisher: Applause Books (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557833915
• ISBN-13: 978-1557833914
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,419,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, witty reading for literature & theater lovers!, March 11, 2002

By 

"manfromla" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All Gall: Malicious Monologues & Ruthless Recitations: Paperback Book (Tour De Farce, V. 6) (Paperback)

The French are very much into "dark humor" which is wonderfully revealed in "All Gall." The delicious surprise in these choice peices is the very modern sensibility of even the oldest selections. This material -- from two centuries past -- reads like what you might get if you married one of the better episodes of "The Twilight Zone" and one of the more hilarious sketches from "Saturday Night Live."

"All Gall" fills a void in English translations, giving an excellent cross-section of French humor over the last 150 years. Even better, the translations read as if they were originally written in English. The Alphonse Allais sketches are tremendous examples of his offbeat wit; the macabre pieces by Jacques Sternberg -- virtually unknown in this country -- are a revelation; likewise the pieces by Apollinaire, a great modern poet, reveal a little-known side of his inspiration; and the surrealistic sketches by Picabia and Leonora Carrington give an unexpected literary glimpse into the humor of two important visual artists.

I am particularly taken with the two Feydeau monologues. Yes -- monologues written by one of the masters of farce. My enjoyment of these brilliant pieces are enhanced by the tremendous success I achieved (lucky me!) with a production I directed of "In the Game of the Law" (one of the two Feydeau selections) at Harvard University. The sharp observations of character in the writing, the witty word play, and the amazingly astute and contemporary social satire created an thrilling theatrical experience. The ease and delight with which the audience connected with this peice (written in 1898) is a testament not only to Feydeau's timeless mastery of his craft but also a tribute to Shapiro's brilliance.

Unusual, timely, and most important -- hilarious.

3.0 out of 5 stars great for the aspiring actor, September 19, 2001

By 

Jopo (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All Gall: Malicious Monologues & Ruthless Recitations: Paperback Book (Tour De Farce, V. 6) (Paperback)

although not an actor's traditional monologue book, this little gem does give you nice, entertaining material to choose from. i'm not sure as to its literary merit, but the point is that they entertain the listener. i performed one of the pieces at a theatre conference and got a great reception. the key is that they're not expecting this. as i said before, i am not aware that this is on a lower eschelon of french writing--i simply thought it was blackly humorous. give it a try.

1.0 out of 5 stars All Gall: Malicious Monologues & Ruthless Recitations, December 3, 2000

By 

R. Denes (KALAMAZOO, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: All Gall: Malicious Monologues & Ruthless Recitations: Paperback Book (Tour De Farce, V. 6) (Paperback)

I am an admirer of Mr.Shapiro's translations, both of his serious and of his witty works. Thus, it came as a great surprise to find this small volume of Gallic Garbage as selected and translated by my favorite interpreter. The review quoted on the back cover of the book told me:"this collection will provide classic French wit and wickedness", so I could hardly wait to open it and read it. Alas, the selections must have been from the bottom of the barrel [garbage, that is]and those famous names, Apollinaire, Feydeau,Tristan Bernard and others could hardly write more witless pieces than these in the selection. French humor is not like this! I surely hope, that this is not the "shape of things to come" from such an excellent translator of Baudlaire, Verlain and the Fabolous French.