Clamorous voices: Shakespeare's women today

Carol Chillington Rutter is supreme when it comes to talking clearly and intelligently about the Renaissance, its champion women, its theatre and performance, and stagings of Renaissance plays in more recent times. This book is an invaluable part of Ms Chillington Rutter's impressive and growing bibliography. Witty, perceptive and extremely informative, it is an absolute must for anyone interested in performance, women's roles in male-directed productions, and the theatrical process from first days of rehearsals to final performances.

An edited transcript of interview and round-table discussions amongst five of the best female actors to grace the modern British stage, this book is a wealth of fascinating material not only on female roles in Shakespeare, but also public, directorial, and historical/traditional perceptions of those roles, and of the place of women in Shakespearean productions in particular. Standouts include Harriet Walter's compare'n'contrast of Helena from ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL with Imogen in CYMBELINE; Juliet Stevenson and Fiona Shaw's discussion of the Rosalind/Celia relationship in AS YOU LIKE IT; and Paola Dionisetti and Sinead Cusack comparing two different Kates from two different productions of TAMING OF THE SHREW. Great companion volume to go with the PLAYERS OF SHAKESPEARE series of books.

Five of Britain's best women actors (including Harriet Walter, Juliet Stevenson and Sinead Cusack) offer insights into their portrayals of some of Shakespeare's greatest roles. Lady Macbeth, Isabella (Measure for Measure), Kate (Taming of the shrew) and Rosalind (As you like it) are some of the roles discussed. Comparisons of different productions, directors and leading men are highlights of this wonderful collection of anecdotes, insights and lively discussion of Shakespeare and theatre today.