Style for Actors ─ A Handbook for Moving Beyond Realism

"Style is a journey from tourist to native. It is living in the world of the play, not just visiting it." - from Chapter One

Anyone who has ever struggled with capes, fans, swords, doublets and crinolines should make Style for Actors 2^nd Edition their constant companion. Robert Barton has completely updated his award winning handbook for the 21^st century with contemporary references and up-to-date illustrations. This is the definitive guide to roles in historical drama.

The past is a foreign country, and this outstanding book is concerned with exploring it from the actor’s point of view. Specific guides range from Greek, Elizabethan, Restoration and Georgian theatre to more contemporary stylings, including Futurism, Surrealism and Postmodernism.

Barton takes great care to present the actor with the roles and genres that will most commonly confront them. His analysis moves from entire genres to specific scenes and characters. A huge resource of nearly 150 practical exercises helps a newfound understanding of style to make the leap from page to performance.

Robert Barton is Professor Emeritus of acting at the University of Oregon. As well as writing a regular column for The Voice and Speech Review, he is the author of Acting: Onstage and Off, Voice: Onstage and Off, Theatre in Your Life, and Life Themes. The first edition of Style for Actors received the Theatre Association's Best Book award.