{"product_id":"9781783190850","title":"Directing: A Miscellany","description":"\u003cbr\u003e\"Simon Usher is one of the most clear headed thinkers about theatre in this country. He taps onto a well of experience spanning four decades with grace and ferocious honesty. He writes with precision and wit and insight. There is no more essential book for anybody working in or hoping to work in theatre.\" Simon Stephens\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eOnly direct if you can do nothing else.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDirectors: People with incurable cases of writer’s block.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDirect plays whose authors know more than you do.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot so much a how-to-direct book but reflections on a long career directing plays. Presented in the form of aphorisms, apercu, questions, maxims, dialogues and miniature essays aimed at the vocational rather than the career director. Usher emphasizes the reality of life as a theatre director. Directing vocationally is a state of mind, an attitude to life, a philosophical adventure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDirecting: A Miscellany\u003c\/i\u003e is about survival: how to remain creative in good times and bad; how to remain alive as a director in any circumstance. Commenting extensively on the process of acting, Shakespeare and the classics, working with writers and designers, directing techniques, the trials and tribulations of working with others, the book is an aid to reflection for readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSimon Usher\u003c\/b\u003e has staged many productions including those for the RSC, the Royal Court, the National Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre. Credits include \u003ci\u003eMother Teresa is Dead\u003c\/i\u003e (Royal Court); \u003ci\u003eSing Yer Heart Out for the Lads\u003c\/i\u003e (National Theatre); \u003ci\u003eGreat Balls of Fire\u003c\/i\u003e (Cambridge Theatre, West End), \u003ci\u003eIvy and Joan\u003c\/i\u003e (The Print Room) and \u003ci\u003eThe Wolves\u003c\/i\u003e (Paines Plough). Simon is the joint Artistic Director of Presence Theatre.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oberon Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47032625627376,"sku":"9781783190850","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781783190850_p0.jpg?v=1769891961","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781783190850","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}