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Title: Complete About Acting by Peter Barkworth ISBN: 0-413-66110-5 Publisher: Methuen Drama Pub. Date: October, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: Odds and Ends
Comment: Pretty good read. Especially for American/Method actors that think 'technique' is something limited to speaking clearly or taking ballet lessons. A kind of incidental 'external'

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Peter Barkworth became a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1955. This book recounts bits and pieces of techniqual advice he has found useful throughout the years.

Does that sound uninspired? Well the advice comes from the likes of observing Bogey's "interrupted movement" on film, talking with Edith Evans 'Don't Pause!' or chewing the fat with John Hurt about his favorite exercise to curb overacting "Reality Test # 3".

Ditto Robert Stephens's conversation with two older actors from The Moscow Art Theater on Stanislavski: "Well, he was very practical. . .he didn't preach much."; Derek Jacobi, John Gielgud, Diana Rigg, Lawrence Olivier and co.

The problem with the book is that Barkworth doesn't take a few chapters to express an idea if he can do it in a couple of paragraphs. He's also very much 'off the cuff' as in 'try it and see if it works for you'. for an author of an acting book this type of unpretentiousness will turn off anyone insecure enough to be looking for "THE TRUTH" -- a kind of Unified Field Theory on the art of acting. (For that simply read almost ANY American Neo-Method author; especially if he uses the word " Organic" a lot. )

BTW Barkworth also lists advice from Strasberg and Uta Hagen, it's just that it's... well...advice, no more or less.

This book presupposes talent and intelligence in the part of the reader; the ability to use technique effectively without having it degenerate into gimmicks.

Not bad at all. . .

Rating: 5
Summary: A MUST for Performers!
Comment: This book is a WINNER -- I recommend it to ANYONE who sets foot onstage, or who has ever simply thought "How is British theater/TV so different from American?". While Mr Barkworth's writing style can sometimes be a little precious, the technical ideas he offers are invaluable. His thoroughly British, technical approach to stagecraft offers many wonderful practical tips and tools to help bring a performance to life. Mr Barkworth's years as a teacher at RADA are evident in his ability to concisely hit on some of the most commonly encountered stage situations, and he suggests wonderfully practical ways of preparing yourself, improving your performance, and coping with the inevitable problems faced onstage.

To help demonstrate some of his points, Mr Barkworth also offers both amusing and helpful anecdotes from his own experience, as well as some of his stage colleagues, including stalwarts such as Dames Wendy Hiller and Edith Evans.

The book is a glimpse into the world of the 20th Century London West End and a fascinating slice of history as well as a helpful technical guide. Highly recommended.