Customer Reviews

Will Power: How to Act Shakespeare in 21 Days (Applause Books)

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This is what every high school English student ought to hear: "You needn't fear the language - it's specially designed to involve and support you." And so John Basil begins 'Will Power,' a book which makes the complex mechanics of performing Shakespeare manageable and UNDERSTANDABLE. He's not giving you narrow interpretations but teaching you how to get into the text enough/understand the background so you can form your own conclusions. Obviously, performing Shakespeare isn't easy. But Basil's approach really helps - a different focus each day, checklists, practice hints, etc. You hone your alliteration skills. Discover why certain words are capitalized (it DOES make a difference!) And he gives tips on how to make the performance more authentic (the Globe didn't have electricity! Emphasis based on body language and eye contact becomes even more important.)

Whether you're acting in one of Shakespeare's plays or simply want a different approach to understanding his writings, this book is definitely worth the read.

Every good actor knows how helpful a coach can be when tackling Shakespeare. Unfortunately, not every theatre can afford to get you one. With "Will Power," John Basil offers an almost endless variety of choices and discoveries that can be made by breaking preparation down into twenty-one separate exploratory processes. This is a fantastic resource in an arena where even the best performers can always use a new way of looking at and taking on their work.

This book is an excellent investment. For anyone that is interested in performing Shakespeare, it is essential to learn to the First Folio Technique. John Basil is a master teacher and his book compiles his many years of experience into an easy-to-read series of chapters on what he teaches.

I used to think Shakespeare's plays were difficult to read and really challenging to act. It turns out that Shakespeare gave his actors the tools they needed to act his words right there in his text (stage directions, etc.) After reading WILL POWER I have a greater appreciation for Shakespeare's writing and I have the tools I need to interpret and perform his works.
John Basil knows his stuff. I've seen actors perform Shakespeare scenes before applying Basil's concepts and after and it's like seeing 2 different works performed. I've also used them to work on scenes from Chekhov and Ibsen.
Shakespeare is a lot more fun with Basil's approach (for actor and audience alike). I recommend this book to anyone studying Shakespeare whether in an English class or an acting class. In my opinion this is required reading for ALL teachers of Shakespeare and Shakespearian actors!!

WILL POWER: HOW TO ACT SHAKESPEARE IN 21 DAYS guides actors through the three-week rehearsal process which leads to an understanding of performance options of Shakespeare's plays, and comes from a teacher of the First Folio approach to Shakespearean directing and acting. His techniques have been developed for all kinds of performances: any high school to adult Shakespearean drama group must have this: it teaches the many opportunities and avenues available for exploring Shakespeare's plays, relating these opportunities to acting development as a hwole.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I am a Sophomore at Montclair State University, and I am currently enrolled in John Basil's Acting Class. The book is the required reading, and I am not in the least bit displeased! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it helped me a lot with my Shakespeare scene in class. John Basil is an amazing professor, and I only hope I get to work with him again in the future! I would recommend this book to anyone who is entering the world of theatre or acting!

John Basil is a fantastic acting teacher and I am thrilled with his book Will Power. This is a wonderful articulation of his style, focus, and gift for teaching Shakespeare. The lessons in this book will help actors discover the layers of meaning in Shakespeare's language, and then use that knowledge to put bold character choices into action. These skills work wonderfully with Shakespeare and can also be applied to other plays written in heightened language. Sophocles, Sheridan, and Shaw, as well as Shakespeare, will feel invigorating rather than intimidating for the actor equipped with Basil's techniques. I use many of these same techniques when auditioning for or acting in commercials. After working through Shakespeare, making sense of medical jargon is easy. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a student, if you work through this book and apply these techniques consistently and courageously, you will learn to act Shakespeare in a realized and compelling way. This book would also be an excellent text for a university acting course focusing on Shakespeare. Over the years I have introduced my college students to Basil's techniques. Now that Basil's written this book, I can't wait to guide them through Will Power.

It doesn't matter if you are a high school student trying to get the hang of the language or a professional actor trying to improve on your knowlege this book will help. Straightforward, logical and lots and lots of fun.

John Basil is on a mission to end "butt-acting" - the kind where you just sit in a chair and silently read a play. Bringing Shakespeare's great words to life is the highest artistic goal of many actors, and the best work hard at conditioning their voices and bodies, often for decades, to do his great roles justice. Basil understands that the most productive and entertaining way to study Shakespeare is on one's feet!

I love this book! It took away my fear of Shakespeare.