Barnes Plays: 3: Clap Hands, Heaven's Blessings, Revolutionary Witness (Vol 3) [Paperback]

Peter Barnes (Author)

Book Description

Series: Plays 3 | Publication Date: August 12, 1996

A selection of plays by "one of the most original and biting comic writers working in Britain" (The Times)

Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie is a riotous, scabrous comedy concerning a demonic figure, a destroyer and giver of life, who is always trying to jump, with both feet into his left trouser leg. Heaven's Blessings, taken from the grim pages of the Bible is a charming epic comedy of Tobit, his wife, their son and a cantankerous guardian angel, who set out to reclaim an outstanding IOU, overcoming many dangers which test their faith to breaking point. Revolutionary Witness, about the French Revolution, is a series of four monologues televised by the BBC in 1989.

"Peter Barnes is one of the unrecognised geniuses of the English theatre" (Plays and Players)

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Methuen Drama (August 12, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0413699803
• ISBN-13: 978-0413699800
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Anthologies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'The Shakespeare of our age?' - Barnes plays at least aspire, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Barnes Plays: 3: Clap Hands, Heaven's Blessings, Revolutionary Witness (Vol 3) (Paperback)

Barnes' recent NBC hits Merlin, Noah's Ark and Alice in Wonderland can be seen as the 'lite' versions of his plays. These are the pure thing--really huge scale theatre. Jokes, drama, wit, wisdom, songs, dance, vaudeville all mix for a total theatrical experience. Called by academics, the Shakespeare of our age, Barnes plays are intellectually tough but win all the awards, and sell out. Barnes wrote the cult classic film The Ruling Class and Enchanted April (Oscar nominated). (He has a new hit play Dreaming on in the UK--info on his website.) A real theatrical treat. A joke a minute but a challenging read--and a ball to act.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revolutionary Witness - Historical Lyricism plus Alan Rickman, March 31, 2008

By 

M. Majere - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barnes Plays: 3: Clap Hands, Heaven's Blessings, Revolutionary Witness (Vol 3) (Paperback)

If you've ever watched Alan Rickman(over & over again) in the download from "Brits, Bits, and Clips" of the BBC production of Revolutionary Witness's "The Preacher," you will want to order this.

Barnes is a genius. His work is irreverent, funny, shockingly true to history, and great for performances by wonderful actors. Try it and see.