This manual contains ideas on everything from making masks to designing a lighting plan; from devising a street-theatre to analysing a text.

This book is divided into seven sections covering an extremely wide range of topics. One chapter on 'Finding Work in the Theatre' includes advice on writing a CV and setting up a theatre company, as well as useful information about Equity and actors' agencies. Despite the breadth and scope of the book, some sections are very detailed and, in many ways, this is a useful practical handbook with varied suggestions as to how playtexts and theatrical theory can be actively explored by post-16 students. There are excellent chapters on devising and directing techniques. There is an eclectic selection of play extracts throughout, ranging from Everyman to Ubu Roi, and the interviews with a number of contemporary practitioners give an insight into the modern professional theatre. Commercial mainstream theatre is avoided on the whole and the emphasis is on alternative theatre, with the work of innovative companies like Graeae getting a mention. I like the way the book is highlighted with key points, hot tips and tasks for students along the way, which break up the text and make it particularly user-friendly. There is also a good sprinkling of clear diagrams and photographs. I found it very readable and shall use it as an ideas and source book. Sheila McAnulty, Bury College, in The Lecturer

Devising theatre; acting techniques; movement and voice; directing techniques; production techniques; the history and development of the theatre; finding work in the theatre.