In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series; a leading actor takes us behind the scenes; recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare#8217;s major roles. They discuss their character; working through the play scene by scene; with refreshing candour and in forensic detail. The result is a masterclass on playing the role; invaluable for other actors and directors; as well as students of Shakespeare #150; and fascinating for audiences of the play. In this volume; Derek Jacobi discusses his hilariously poker-faced Malvolio in Michael Grandages 2008 production of Twelfth Night. This interview; together with the others in the series (with actors such as Judi Dench; Ian McKellen and Jude Law); is also available in the collection Shakespeare on Stage: Thirteen Leading Actors on Thirteen Key Roles by Julian Curry; with a foreword by Trevor Nunn. absorbing and original... Currys actors are often thinking and talking as that other professional performer; Shakespeare himself; might have done TLS
#1920643 in eBooks 2013-05-23 2013-05-23File Name: B00CNVQU7G
Review
77 of 79 people found the following review helpful. Enchanting; memorable; romanticBy MeganIf ever there were a book Id love to climb inside; an author through whom I could live vicariously; its Janice MacLeod and PARIS LETTERS.After climbing the metaphorical advertising ladder in Los Angeles; Janice realizes her "dream job" -- and dream life -- arent quite what she imagined. Worn out by her 9-to-5 and dreaming of so much more than a dull commute and another birthday cake for a coworker; she begins to fantasize about a life beyond the square walls of her office. Encouraged to journal her thoughts and think about something more; a question rises to the surface: How much money does it take to change your life?The answer is roughly 60K; actually -- enough to quit her job; sell most of her worldly possessions and leave California for a walkabout in Europe. By scrimping wherever possible; she amasses enough to arrive in Paris and walk sip creamy lattes in the sidewalk cafes just as she imagined. Though she speaks no French; her arrival in the City of Light isnt burdened by language barriers. She soon meets Christophe; a handsome butcher; and begins her French education rather romantically.When she considered her talents back in America; one passion kept returning to her: art. Painting. With the time and freedom to now explore those dreams; she sets to work cultivating and fashioning an entirely new life for herself. And the results are pretty extraordinary.How to describe my love for PARIS LETTERS? Picture me in my pajamas sipping coffee on a snowy day; imagining what it must feel like to step off a plane with only a tiny suitcase in a foreign city -- unburdened; untethered; totally free. Though I love my own work; I know the constraints of a desk job all too well. The idea of abandoning it all to chase your passions -- in Paris! -- holds an allure I cant deny.For Janice; shedding her old skin and finding love in France is revelatory. Who among us cant relate to holding that holy grail of professional accomplishment -- that "I did it!" cup declaring you finally met a longstanding goal -- only to realize . . . youre not happy? It isnt what you wanted after all? If the joy is in the journey; reaching the end of that journey -- job stability; boring routines -- isnt actually so joyous in the end.And thats okay.Janices experiences in Europe are absolutely enchanting -- and Im going to be honest here. Its been a long time since I read a Paris- or London-themed book that didnt make me green and rage-y with jealousy. Usually when I read a memoir about an American/Canadian upending their lives to eat macarons; write and paint abroad with a seemingly unending pile of cash; I think; "Oh; golly -- must be freakin nice."But here? All I felt about Janices story was complete enchantment. Shes down-to-earth; friendly; funny; interesting. Writing honestly about both her feelings on leaving behind her old life and the stress of beginning a new one (and with a new man); I bonded with Janice immediately -- and thats all to say nothing of her actual Paris letters; which she paints; writes and addresses to subscribers through Etsy. When I finished PARIS LETTERS; I made a mad scramble to see if her work is still available online -- and it is! And my delight will continue.Recommended to fans of contemporary memoirs; armchair travelers; francophiles; dreamers . . . anyone who has imagined giving up a life of desk-bound duty for adventure. One Ill be sharing with friends for sure in 2014.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great! Inspiring! But....By puzzle momJanice is sweet; her boyfriend/husband is a dream but the book is a little....boring. I feel terrible saying this. She is a fabulous artist; her story is envy inducing; she is funny and seems like someone you would love to call a friend. Yet. It seemed a little predictable at times and at times I could barely be interested in continuing to read it. I say all of this but yet if she wrote a sequel I would read it in a heartbeat. Did she end up living in France or Canada ? Did she have kids? Move to a bigger apartment in Paris or to the country? Janice I am waiting to find out. And as a fellow Polish (via America) patriot-well DONE on you choice of grooms!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful ReadBy Andrea L. StoeckelThis book is a non-fiction memoir that reads better than a contemporary romance.Janice Macleod ( insert "Highlander" reference here); burnt-out high end LA copywriter; figured out how to leave her job and do what she loves: traveling. After a year of scrimping; saving; downsizing and giving up "stuff"; shes doubled her one year monetary goals; boarded a plane; and off she goes into her dream adventures.And straight into the arms of a French Delicatessian worker. Talk about changing your life! He proposes they share living space; they share lives. And when the money becomes tight; she figures out just how to.live where she loves; with who she loves doing what she loves.And then tells us how she did it