Here's one more Reading the Theatre post from Staircase Wit, about a "charming novel" reminiscent of "one of those frothy drinks I see people ordering at Starbucks – something insubstantial and delicious to savor!" Read the full review here. My month of reading plays and books about the theatre is almost over! Do you have … Continue reading A Snowfall of Silver at Staircase Wit
As part of my month of Reading the Theatre, I wanted to read one or more plays. And when I started reading The Incomparable Rex, about Rex Harrison and the American revival of My Fair Lady in the 1970s, I became curious to read the source material for the musical: George Bernard Shaw's play, Pygmalion. … Continue reading Tales in transformation: Pygmalion
I've been having a wonderful time this month with Reading the Theatre. I've read fiction, nonfiction, and plays ... often one thing leads to another, as seeing a play or film based on a play makes me want to know more about the actor, and reading an actor's account of his performance makes me want … Continue reading Two titans of the theatre
Another Reading the Theatre post over at Staircase Wit, and another mystery: this one being the first of the Tessa Crichton mysteries by Anne Morice, recently republished by Dean Street Press. Check out Constance's review to learn more. I just read it as well, and quite enjoyed it. The theatrical connection is that Tessa is … Continue reading Death in the Grand Manor at Staircase Wit
I always look forward to March Magics, hosted by We Be Reading, a celebration of two favorite fantasy authors -- Diana Wynne Jones and Terry Pratchett. This year I wanted to tie in my reading to my own Reading the Theatre event, so I looked for a book with a theatrical component. Original UK edition … Continue reading Performing magic: The Magicians of Caprona
Here's another post for Reading the Theatre, about a mystery novel centered around a drama group at Cambridge University. It sounds terrific! Check out the review at Bitter Tea and Mystery to find out what makes it so compelling.
Helen of She Reads Novels does a monthly "Historical Musings" post about "all things historical fiction." This always brings up some interesting topic for consideration, making me think about the intersection of history and literature. This month she asks about plays based on historical events (not based on novels, e.g. Les Miserables -- but directly … Continue reading Historical drama at She Reads Novels
When I announced my Reading the Theatre project, Chris of Calmgrove kindly offered to contribute a guest post on Milton's Comus, an oddity of English literature that I've heard of but never read in full. It first came to my attention in the pages of E. Nesbit's Wet Magic, in which the lines beginning "Sabrina … Continue reading A curious piece of theatre (Guest post)
Here's another Reading the Theatre post from Staircase Wit, about the "Gemma" books by Noel Streatfeild. You may not have heard of this series, which is less well known than her "Shoes" books, but it's worth searching out if you can, for another variation on the theme of performing children that Streatfeild did so well. … Continue reading Gemma and company at Staircase Wit
If you enjoy seeing plays in the theatre, it's likely that you can't see as many as you'd like -- especially at the moment, due to pandemic closures. An alternate way to experience a play script is to read it, trying to bring it to life in your mind. It's a different activity than reading … Continue reading Do you read plays?
