Other books that might interest you

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  Gone to Earth (NHB Modern Plays)...

  Helen Edmundson

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  A vivid, emotional stage version of Mary Webb's novel of rural passion, premiered by Shared Experience Theatre Company.
  Incorporating traditional dances and folk songs, Gone to Earth tells the story of Hazel, an innocent and free-spirited seventeen-year-old child of nature living in rural Shropshire. But when both the wicked squire and the altruistic minister fall in love with her, she is drawn into a world of earthly passions which threatens to destroy her – as simply and relentlessly as a Greek tragedy.
  Helen Edmundson's stage adaptation of Mary Webb's 1917 novel Gone to Earth was first staged by Shared Experience on UK tour in 2004, including performances at the Lyric Hammersmith, London, from May 2004.
  'It takes a special kind of company to follow the award-winning success of After Mrs Rochester with a piece as powerful as this. Long may we share in the experience' - Evening Standard
  'Goes right to the heart of the work, capturing its fervid, glowering atmosphere' - Observer
  'Balancing the real and the dreamlike without losing the authenticity of either, Helen Edmundson has distilled the book into an echo chamber of themes... Mary Webb's novel [is] brought brilliantly to life' - Time Out

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  Alys Always (NHB Modern Plays) -...

  Harriet Lane

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  A psychological thriller excavating the fault lines that separate the entitled from the rest, Alys, Always is adapted for the stage by Lucinda Coxon from Harriet Lane's gripping novel.
  Frances works on the books pages of a Sunday newspaper. She's quiet and capable, but nobody takes much notice: her face is pressed to the window, on the outside, looking in.
  One evening, driving back to London after visiting her infuriating parents, she comes across an overturned car crumpled on the side of the road. She waits with the injured driver, Alys Kyte, until the ambulance arrives. Later, when Alys's famous family gets in touch, Frances finds herself ushered for the first time into the world on the other side of the window. And she begins to wonder: what will it take to belong?
  This stage version of Alys, Always was premiered at the Bridge Theatre, London, in February 2019, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Joanne Froggatt and Robert Glenister.
  'Wonderfully observed… a gripping, psychologically complex achievement, whose greatest success is the lingering sense of unease' - Sunday Telegraph on Harriet Lane's novel

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  The Heart of It - Hamlet and...

  Elizabeth McNamer

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  Hamlet and Macbeth are two dramas by William Shakespeare that have been thrilling audiences for centuries. Both have been adapted to radio and film and continue to be taught in high schools and universities. But as with most of Shakespeare'             s works, modern audiences sometimes need some help absorbing elements of both plays. In a series of lectures, literary scholar Elizabeth McNamer provides engaging insights into these two Shakespeare classics. Providing glimpses into each play'             s most compelling moments, Dr. McNamer first focuses on Hamlet, regarded by many as the greatest drama ever written. Because he is given much to philosophizing, the Danish prince fails to act—             and this procrastination becomes Hamlet'             s downfall. McNamer then tackles Shakespeare's most gruesome tragedy. Macbeth, who has murdered his way to the crown, finds there only a murderer's reward—             no peace, no love, no honor, no friends—             only curses. While these lectures are grounded in scholarly research, they are also accessible for contemporary audiences, helping them appreciate more fully these two great works.

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  The Knowledge

  Robert Peake

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  Robert Peake's incredible eye for detail illuminates a collection of stirring and delicately attuned poems that not only roam but actively seek – travelling far and wide to all manner of places but also moving through time, taking leaps of faith or journeys into memory and sensation.
  From postcards to portraits, from ancient and modern wars to cosmopolitan cities, wildlife, and even a tiny ornamental skeleton, Robert Peake finds a sharp focus for the bigger picture both far and wide and closer to home. These carefully-controlled and eloquent poems know the subtle and deep consequences from each small gesture; the ripple-effect across each story, the altering of lives and history; the still, quiet centre from which it all begins.
  Robert Peake is a British-American poet living near London. His newest short collection is The Silence Teacher (Poetry Salzburg, 2013). His previous short collection was Human Shade (Lost Horse Press, 2011).

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  The Poetry Of Thomas Hood

  Thomas Hood

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  Poetry is a fascinating use of language.  With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that these Isles have produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries.  In this series we look at the world through the eyes and minds of our most gifted poets to bring you a unique poetic guide to their lives. Thomas Hood was born in London in 1799.  Leaving school at 14 he began at a counting house but his health being somewhat poor he took work at engraving. Again his health failed him and he was sent to relations in Scotland.  Here, it is thought, began his interest in the outdoors and poetry. In 1821 he became the sub editor of the London Magazine and quickly became part of a wide and varied social scene.  In 1824 he married Jane Reynolds and they had two children. Hood’s work is streaked with humour. In his day some of his poems were translated for sale in Europe, an unusual occurrence but one that shows his reach and influence on the poetical scene.  Many of his works are considered classics and he remains today as a highly regarded poet of the Victorian era. Thomas Hood died at the young age of 45 on the 3rd of May, 1845. A monument, paid for by public subscription was raised at Kensal Green Among our readers are Richard Mitchley and Ghizela Rowe.

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  Legendary Scenes from Shakespeare

  William Shakespeare

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  The Finest Shakespearean Actors including Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Richard Burton perform some of their most wellknown scenes from King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Richard II and A Midsummer Night's Dream

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