Customer Reviews

Directing a Play (Phaidon Theater Manuals)

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

 

 

This book says it's intended for someone directing a student or amateur play, which it is. But McCaffery anticipates a rather large production company or theater group. He assumes there are actually separate persons as set designer, costume designer and "production manager" aside from the producer or director, which isn't true in most community theater groups, I've observed. (Using British-Irish terminology, he calls the producer the "administrator".

The book does give some thoughtful ideas, but in general is too short, and gives a general overview of the process without too many specific tips. There are some interesting examples of worksheets used at different parts of the process.

The glossary of theatrical terms wasn't as helpful as I hoped, because the British-Irish terms differ from American jargon more than I realized.

Michael McCaffery's book on play direction is very informative and concise. I have learned a lot from having read it and would recommend adding it to an aspiring actor or director's collection.