Break a Leg

A Memoir, Manifesto and Celebration of Amateur Theatre

Break a Leg
Jenny Landreth
RRP:
NZ$ 26.00
Our Price:
NZ$ 20.80
Paperback
h198 x 129mm - 256pg
7 Oct 2021 UK
International import eta 7-19 days
9781529110524
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
A joyful celebration of amateur theatre This is the story of amateur dramatics in Britain. In a triumphant mix of memoir, social history, interviews and manifesto, Jenny Landreth opens our eyes to am-dram and shows us a vibrant world that is a crucial part of our culture. Starting with the Mystery Plays of the Middle Ages, we move, via Shakespeare, to the Georgian aristocrats who built opulent private theatres in their own homes, then to the halcyon days of radical lefties taking political theatre to the streets, and on to the present day. Along the way, we visit several thriving theatres - across the country, and beyond our shores - and meet a cast of characters who tell us about the joy amateur theatre brings them. And we follow the full arc of a production at the Midlands theatre where Jenny' s parents met and she started out, from first auditions to last night party, with all the mishaps and forgotten lines that come in between. In Britain today there are millions of people involved, and amateur theatre takes many forms, from classic productions to panto, but also cutting-edge new work. Without it, there would be no professional theatre, no Judi Dench or Kenneth Branagh or Brenda Blethyn. Break a Leg is an emphatic celebration. It is also a rallying cry, a call to appreciate how amateur theatre enriches communities and many people' s lives - and how, if you join in, it might just do the same for you.
With spot-on injections of humour and a frequently raised sardonic eyebrow, joy and warmth shine from this fascinating and funny book -- Jo Brand An unputdownable, utterly delightful stroll through British amateur theatre and why it has a vital place for us all -- Shappi Khorsandi This funny and interesting book makes you yearn for a long-lost sense of community, and then realise it' s been there all along. Jenny Landreth, take an Am Dram style bow -- John O' Farrell An honest, educational and downright hilarious memoir. It' s a deeply affectionate look at a much-maligned bit of Britishness that we simply couldn' t live without -- Angela Barnes A gorgeously funny, deeply affectionate and fully costumed swallow-dive into the great - and historic - amateur theatrical tradition. I loved it -- Alistair Petrie A hilarious, informative amdramoir - a love-letter to her father and a fascinating insight into the much maligned minority: the amateur -- Doon Mackichan I thoroughly enjoyed this beguiling ensemble of memoir, social history, interviews and manifesto, which tells the story of am-dram in Britain -- Caroline Sanderson * Bookseller *
Jenny Landreth is a script writer and editor. She has written for all sorts of publications, and was the main contributor to the Guardian' s weekly swimming blog. Her last book, Swell- A Waterbiography, was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and was a Sunday Times Book of the Year. Jenny comes from a family of devoted am dram fanatics, and lives in London.
Status: Active
ISBN-13: 9781529110524
Published: 7 Oct 2021
Published In: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback
Height: 198mm
Width: 129mm
Pages: 256

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