Aimed at directors of all levels, it covers every aspect of rehearsal, including:

• Warm-up exercises to prepare the body, voice and mind, and to create a strong ensemble;
• Ideas for approaching the text, tackling the 'Story of the Play';
• A wealth of games for unlocking the 'World of the Play', including developing characters, finding a physical style, understanding genre and investigating themes;
• Suggestions for exploring sound and music, whether for use in the production or simply to encourage a sense of fun in rehearsals.

This essential 'go-to' book will provide you with a host of original and illuminating games, perfect for the play you're rehearsing, be it Shakespeare or Greek tragedy, a Restoration comedy, physical theatre, Modern Naturalism - or even a brand new play.

Marianne Elliott, one of the most innovative and exciting directors working anywhere in the world, describes it as a 'beautiful, and very --clearly written book' which will become her 'constant companion in future...I wish I'd had this book when I was starting out as a young director...I cannot recommend it highly enough.'