Acting Wales: Stars of Stage and Screen

Peter Stead

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0708316239 ISBN 13: 9780708316238

Publisher: University of Wales Press, 2002

This work examines the Welsh acting tradition. Although lacking a metropolitan centre, a culture developed in which both chapels and schools encouraged recitations and performances. Each chapter evokes an actor and assesses their work, career and contribution made to film and theatre in general.

Review:

"I can see this book influencing readers’ perambulations about Wales for years to come, [it is] crammed with fascinating information." -- gwales.com

Synopsis:

Much has been written about the sociology of American acting and more recently there has been a discussion of the ways in which the need to rival Hollywood and the coming of television changed the nature of English acting tradition which had been essentially theatrical. We can now talk with confidence of a Welsh acting tradition. Although lacking a metropolitan centre, a culture in which both chapels and schools encouraged recitations and performance allowed an interest in amateur dramatics to develop. Eventually actors graduated from Wales to the glamour of London's West End and to the film studios. What did Welsh actors contribute to English- language theatre and cinema? More recently there have been new professional opportunities in Wales itself and consequently talented new generations of actors have been amphibious, working both at home in Wales as well as internationally. Each chapter will evoke an actor, assess their work and career and identify the social and psychological dimensions explored therein.