The Need for Words: Voice and the Text (Performance Books) - Hardcover

Patsy Rodenburg

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0413675009 ISBN 13: 9780413675002

Publisher: Methuen Drama, 1993

Synopsis

A revised edition of her seminal work on words, from groundbreaking voice coach Patsy Rodenburg. In this bestselling sequel to her classic The Right to Speak, Patsy Rodenburg explores how we speak, what we speak and the impact of the spoken word. As one of the world's leading voice coaches, she describes practical ways to approach language, and uses Shakespeare, Romantic poetry, modern prose and a range of other texts to help each of us discover our own unique need for words. In Part One the author attacks the myth that there is only one correct way to speak by clearing away the blocks than can make language inaccessible. Part Two, a series of language and text exercises, connects the voice to the shape and quality of individual words and phrases. New to this edition: Drawing on the author's time spent coaching in the worlds of business and politics, this new edition reflects on how the way we use words has changed since the book was first published. It brings a renewed focus on the language of power - spoken in the worlds of politicians and company directors - which will give readers an insight into the potency of clear, direct communication. Finally, new language exercises provide readers with unmediated access to this new research, allowing them to practise and master the language and words that drive the modern world.

About this title

About the Author

Patsy Rodenburg is Head of Voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and was formerly at the Royal National Theatre. She trained in Voice Studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama and is recognized as one of the world's leading voice and acting coaches. Previously, Patsy was in residence with the Royal Shakespeare Company for nine years and also worked with the Royal Court Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse and the Almeida Theatre, London. She has worked extensively with many of the great world theatres including the Moscow Art Theatre, Complicite, Cheek by Jowl and Comedie-Francaise. Patsy has worked regularly with some of the best-known actors and biggest names in theatre, film and television including: Nicole Kidman, Rachel Weisz, Emily Watson, Jude Law, Tom Wilkinson, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Kim Cattrall and David Schwimmer.

Review

I know Patsy to be a gifted voice and speech coach. In The Need for Words she provides practical and imaginative means for getting to the heart of the text and making the necessity for the language to be strongly felt by audiences. I do recommend it to anyone who needs to use words with clarity and passion. * Trevor Nunn * Playwrights, a complacent lot, tend to think that their text says it all. Grudgingly conceding the role of the director, they still think the words speak for themselves. They don't, and in this excellent book, Patsy Rodenburg shows why. * Alan Bennett * The Need for Words is an astonishing book. It takes you on an extraordinary voyage of discovery through the worlds of language and texts. Every actor and non-actor should know it and read it. * Declan Donnellan *

Edition details

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0413675009
• ISBN 13: 9780413675002
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 266