Reliance on devices like the photograph and slidewill lead; I rather fear; to linguistic suicide.We must keep on challenging language to engagewith all we suffer from in this new modern age.This epic sweep of a play takes us from a contemporary Westminster Abbey to the Arctic ship Fram - or Forward - specially built by the famous Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen who; with his suicidal companion; Johansen; makes a bid on foot for the North Pole in the 1890s. Though incompatible; they share a bear fur sleeping-bag through the long winter. Nansen; still haunted by Johansens ghost is appointed to the League of Nations. As a figurehead of Russian famine relief in 1922; he conducts the first celebrity campaign; searching for means; however shocking; to make people care. Tony Harrisons major new work for the theatre; Fram; premiered at the National Theatre in April 2007.
#2122831 in eBooks 2013-09-03 2014-07-30File Name: B00MJD739C
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Provocative; captivating; and compact...By Aaron...words that could also be used to describe most of Mr. Mamets plays. Removing the veneer of politeness with regards to acting; directing; and writing for theatre; the short essays in this book reexamine those "truths" that have been long-held by those in the craft since the Modern era began in the mid-Nineteenth Century; and questions: What is a play? What does acting consist of? Why have texts--especially those classics by poets and playwrights long-since departed--become tools to be manipulated rather than a means to communicate a story? Finally; whose voice is most important: the critic or the audience member?In my earlier days; I scoffed at the "accusations" hurled by Mr. Mamet in "True and False" concerning the frivolity of actor training and methods to achieving a great performance. "Theatre" is a continuation of his thoughts with an even more concise and profound treatise; compounded by fifteen years of experience and thoughtfulness about the art of the business and the business of the art.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Mamet at his best.By Kindle CustomerAnyone involved with theatre; business or any endeavor needs to hear the honest voice of a no B.S David Mamet.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Some fascinating observationsBy David Wade SmithA book on theatre by David Mamet is bound to contain some pithy observations on the nature of theatre; acting; and directing. And from that POV this book doesnt disappoint. But Mamet can be a bit pompous at times. He is; IMO; rightly antagonistic toward directors; actors; and theatre schools that push specific methods of working and scorn other; competing systems--since what is important is to keep the audience engaged; and all else should be in the service of that objective. If youre a person who works in theatre; youll probably enjoy this book. Its also; thankfully; economical and not very long.
