Winner of the 2023 STR Theatre Book Prize

The Society for Theatre Research was delighted to award the 2023 Theatre Book Prize to An Actor’s Life in 12 Productions by Oliver Ford Davies, published by The Book Guild.

The awards presentation was made by the society’s president, celebrated actor Timothy West, after the judges had spoken about the shortlisted titles as well as some of the other books that had been entered. The award was made at a reception at …

Often the difference between a successfully marketed book and one that struggles to gain any traction is the author behind the promotion. While it is time-consuming for an author to promote their work, the rewards can be well worth the effort.

In the first of a short series of case studies, we have enlisted some of our most successful authors to discuss how they have promoted their books successfully, including the techniques they used, challenges they encountered and top tips from their trial and error.

First up in …

In 1983 I was part of a cast that performed a play in Parkhurst Prison. The 'dirty protests' were taking part in the adjoining Albany Prison; the officers in Parkhurst said our play, the first live entertainment in the prison for over a decade, had headed off similar protests in their prison. Apparently some of the most high profile and feared inmates, including members of the Kray gang, had constructed the set and were determined that nothing would get in the way of the production. After the successful performance, the grateful prison officers took us for a drink, during which …

Fundraising again this time with a difference , but all together and equely as important.

I will also Launch Path to Success to the Audience

Why is Æthelflæd, King Alfred’s daughter, such an exceptional Anglo-Saxon woman? 

Women played significant roles in Anglo-Saxon society. Females had more power during Æthelflæd’s time than they would enjoy in the later medieval period after the Norman conquest. They were considered to be full members of the state and their rights were protected by law. They were ‘oath worthy’ so they could bear witness to agreements. Even an unmarried girl could conduct business in her own right, and they could refuse to marry someone they disliked. Women were considered to be heads of households and could own land in …