THE STAGE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 3

THE STAGE

„ P’S following stage handbooks published by Herbert Jenkins will be of considerable use to all who take part in theatricals, both on stage or behmdscenes: STAGE SPEECH (96 pp.) by L Charteris Coffin, LG.S.M., B.Sc. (Econ.) with a Foreword by Donald Wolfit, C.8.E., and a Preface by Diana Churchill. STAGE MOVEMENT (89 PP.) by Marguerite Battye with a Forword by Donald Wolfit 'and a Preface by Margaret Leighton; STAGE COSTUME (96 pp.) by Margot Lister with Foreword by Donald Wolfit and Preface by Jevan Brandon-Thomas: and STAGE LIGHTING (96 pp.) by Geoffrey Ost, Foreword by Donald Wolfit and Preface by L. du Garde Peaeh. The first of these valuable little booklets is designed to help the actor improve his technique. It is too often assumed in amateur circles that sincerity and enthusiasm in an actor are enough, but without the refinements of technique that the good professional actor commands, his sincerity and enthusiasm may not always carry his audience with him. Mr Coffin in his illuminating book, which is full of reference to actual dialogue in well-known plays, will he of great help to the amateur aspiring to improve his techniques, and thus to convey meaning or communicate emotion more effectively. Marguerite Battye discusses the mechanics of stage movement clearly and concisely and provides a series of instructive exercises—accompanied by diagrams—whieh are well designed to help students deliberately to create states pf mind that are reflected in movement. Margot Lister’s handbook on costuming has chapters on every kind of dress from Ancient Egyptian to modern times; she not only describes' a great variety of garments, but shows how they should be worn (again with plenty of illustrations) and for what purpose. Geoffrey Ost on stagelighting—not as mysterious and difficult a subject as it is often thought to be—addresses himgelf largely to the producer.' who should of course always plan his own lighting, and for whom a sound knowledge of the capabilities of the lighting set, as provided in this book, is essential. The series as a whole, which is under the general editorship of Harold Downs, is inexpensive and eminently I