Theatre for Children: A Guide to Writing, Adapting, Directing, and Acting
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Book Overview
Described by The Times as 'the national children's dramatist', David Wood has been writing, adapting, directing and acting in plays for children for more than twenty-five years. His best known work, from his play The Gingerbread Man to his adaptations of Roald Dahl's The BFG and The Witches have enjoyed national and international professional success and entered the repertory of amateur companies and school dramatic societies. Now David has written the definitive book on theatre for children. He analyses the skills involved in entertaining audiences of children everywhere and reveals his special techniques for catching and holding a child's attention. This practical, step-by-step comprehensive guide is essential reading for professionals and amateurs alike, and anyone wanting to be involved in theatre for children.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0571177492
ISBN13:9780571177493
Release Date:October 1997
Publisher:Faber & Faber
Length:288 Pages
Weight:0.75 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 5.3" x 8.4"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
egotistical
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Walter Piston is a composer, but in his music theory textbook, he can bring in samples from the work of other composers. Why, then, can't David Wood bring in samples from the work of other playwrights? Incidentally, don't buy this book if you are interested in theatre for children as actors. This book is about theatre for children as spectators.
Great for Children's Theare Playwrights
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I love this book. I have written several children's shows for our local children's theatre, and reading over David Wood's text only helped me improve my scripts and fed my imagination. Yes, there are sections that I scimmed through, but most of it was very helpful. I highly recommend it.
Theatre for Children
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Excellent book! Gives real specifics about playwriting for children, i.e., must have lots of action, lots of "suddenlies", clearly defined characters, etc. Also, how to incorporate audience participation. I was so inspired by Wood's book that I ordered his musicals from Samuel French and directed "Hijack Over Hygenia" for our elementary school production. He is far and away better than most of the stuff you find for children's productions. Since he has experience in writing, directing and acting these plays and musicals (he's written 40!), he brings tons of examples into his book. He's good, he's funny, and children respond to his material. Good section on writing a play snopysis before you write any dialogue. Here's a little dialogue: Rupert: Hello, Squirrel. How are you? Squirrel: Fed up. Rupert: Fed up? Squirrel: Me nose is froze, me teeth are chatter-chattering, me paws are freezing and I keep sneezing. Atishoo! Rupert: (handing her a hanky) Use my hanky. Squirrel: A hanky! Thankee! (She plows loudly into the hanky held by Rupert).
ABSOLUTELY WORTHWHILE
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I found the book to be essential to anyone who wants to go into playwriting whether or not Children's Theatre would be your major. It is clearly written, easy (and enjoyable) to read and just a great tool and reference.
Terrific!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
A must-read for anyone in children's theater. David Wood is a genius
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