Published by Nick Hern Books Review by Allison Johnston
Sometimes you need things writ large, spelt out in words of one syllable, explained slowly and clearly. This is especially the case if you’re a wannabe actor. In the latest in the massive canon of books about auditioning and getting into acting, Andy Johnson has hit upon a clever way of making it clear just how hard it is to win a place at drama school.
And he does so at the very beginning: ‘Winning a place at drama school is difficult. Really difficult. Way more difficult than getting into Oxford or Cambridge…’
He continues in this vein throughout this no-nonsense and engaging book that is split into logical sections, imaginatively-headed paragraphs (my particular favourite is ‘From crap you get fertiliser’), and even a CV that tells it straight.
As I was reading thoughts went to my nephew, who is desperate to be an actor, but would he spend a year – yes a year – planning his audition piece as Johnson advises? I’m not so sure.
After the introduction, which includes an interesting section called Mantras – ‘make fear your friend’, Johnson guides the reader step by step. Yes, there is a big emphasis on self-belief, but also planning carefully (including staggering your applications) to hours of practice. One particular highlight is the section headed Vital Edges ‘because you might as well improve and grow, even now, before drama school training.’
And finally if you’re not ready by the end of the comprehensive last chapter, then you haven’t been listening as, if you’re still standing, this is a great companion to take with you on your journey to a great career in acting.