SKU: 57331865794

A Piece of Work : Playing Shakespeare and Other Stories by Simon Russell Beale

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A Piece of Work : Playing Shakespeare and Other Stories by Simon Russell BealeSimon Russell Beale is one of Britain's most recognisable and well loved actors. He has played many roles on stage, film, television and radio ranging from Winston Churchill to Stalin, George Smiley to King Arthur. But ever since his appearance at school as a glamorous Desdemona, complete with false eyelashes that rendered him half blind, he has been captivated by Shakespeare. In A Piece of Work, Russell Beale tries to get under the skin of the

Simon Russell Beale is one of Britain's most recognisable and well-loved actors. He has played many roles on stage, film, television and radio - ranging from Winston Churchill to Stalin, George Smiley to King Arthur. But ever since his appearance at school as a glamorous Desdemona, complete with false eyelashes that rendered him half-blind, he has been captivated by Shakespeare. In A Piece of Work, Russell Beale tries to get under the skin of the playwright and find out what interested him. Was Shakespeare an instinctive 'conservative' or, rather, gently subversive? How collaborative was he? Did he add a line to Hamlet in order to accommodate his ageing and increasingly chubby principal actor, Richard Burbage? Did he suffer from insomnia and experience sexual jealousy? Russell Beale describes what it is to approach and live with some of Shakespeare's most famous characters. Some of the actor's inspiration comes from surprising sources. Watching Coronation Street gave him an idea for how Richard III might react on hearing of the death of the two Princes in the Tower; a visit to elderly patients in a local hospital gave him insights into King Lear's descent into madness; and the memory of childhood family holidays led him to a spectacular plunge into an ornamental pool in Much Ado About Nothing.

Funny and touching about his family, Russell Beale also writes fascinatingly about some of the supremely creative people he counts as his friends - including Sam Mendes, Nick Hytner, Stephen Sondheim and Lauren Bacall. A Piece of Work is a brilliant account of an actor's life and work - and his relationship with our foremost dramatist.

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Binding: Hardback,
Pagination: 352 pages, Section: 16, b/w
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SKU: 57331865794

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Laurel
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
If you like Dick Grayson, you must read this.
Format: Kindle
The title says it all. Mandatory reading for any Dick fan. And the art by Nguyen is mesmerizingly atmospheric. Really unique feel and brilliant sensitive writing by Lemire. Really great tease with Killer Croc as well. All around fantastic.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2022
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Vu-Uyen Duldulao
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Keeps you entertained!
Excellent story and illustrations! Would recommend to all.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2022
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R.L. Holly
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 2
Why the revisionism?
Format: Paperback
I kinda want to give this a try but I dislike that the artist chose to change Robin's costume. What is this? Dick Grayson Robin always wore the same costume, so why is a "throwback" story using new uniforms? (Batman's is also not quite the original.) I guess modern readers just think the classic togs are "silly," but that's on them. Respect the material, comics creators! Or leave it alone.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
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Wayne E. Evans
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Simply magnificent
Format: Kindle
A new perspective on an old and familiar story. The art is outstanding. The story is compelling. It needs to be a regular ongoing series. DC...please handle this. Thanks.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2021
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Elisa Diehl
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Probably the best thing to come out of the "New 52" reboot
Format: Paperback
In general, I'm not a big fan of the new 52 reboot of the DC universe. On the other hand, it produced this really interesting investigation of the iffy morality and general maladjustment and emotional fallout caused by the "child soldier" issue of the multiple underage vigilantes in the Batman family of comic books. The scripting for this story is excellent, in that it makes clear the broad range of personalities represented by the 4 Robins, Bluebird, Spoiler, and Black Bat (who isn't named as such in this particular story for some reason), and aside from that the art is really gorgeous. I think this may very well be the best thing to come out of the new 52 reboot.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2016

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