Directing: A Miscellany

2014 | Film & TV

Not so much a how-to-direct book but reflections on a long career directing plays. Presented in the form of aphorisms, apercu, questions, maxims, dialogues and miniature essays aimed at the vocational rather than the career director. Usher emphasizes the reality of life as a theatre director. Directing vocationally is a state of mind, an attitude to life, a philosophical adventure. Reflections on Directing: A Miscellany is about survival: how to remain creative in good times and bad; how to remain alive as a director in any circumstance. Commenting extensively on the process of acting, Shakespeare and the classics, working with writers and designers, directing techniques, the trials and tribulations of working with others, the book is an aid to reflection for readers. Includes maxims such as: 'Only direct if you can do nothing else.' 'Directors: People with incurable cases of writer's block.' 'Direct plays whose authors know more than you do.'

Simon Usher (Author)