by Andy Hinds
Published by Oberon Books
Acting Shakespeare’s Language opens with the following quote by Ralph Fiennes: “Andy Hinds offers a rich and detailed path towards a precise contact with the challenge of speaking and inhabiting Shakespeare’s language. This book is an immensely useful resource for anyone teaching, speaking and acting Shakespeare.“
I won’t even mention the additional praise heaped on this tome by other theatrical luminaries – but luvvy compliments aside, this really is the must-have manual for all actors, students, teachers or directors tackling Shakespeare’s plays or speeches and wishing to release the full dramatic power of his words.
Andy Hinds has been teaching Shakespeare to actors for over three decades, including 10 spent as Artistic Director of Classic Stage Ireland, so he certainly knows a thing or two about delivering the Bard on point. Key areas covered in the book include: acting solo speeches; pronunciation; imagery and imagistic language; acting Shakepseare’s verse and prose, and breathing. The detail in which each of these areas is addressed is phenomenal, making this an exceptional, hands-on and useful technical handbook.
Review by Serena Harris