Stop The Show! A History Of Insane Incidents And Absurd Accidents In The Theater Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Stop the Show! is the first book to assemble humorous, frightening and bizarre anecdotes about the history of all that went wrong during live theatrical productions in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. It is the publishing equivalent of TV bloopers for the legitimate stage. This book includes stories from top directors, actors, playwrights and technicians from New York, Los Angeles, and points in between, to the United Kingdom, from the 19th century to today. There are stories about missed entrances and exits, onstage unscripted fights between performers, improvised lines, accidental pratfalls, falling scenery, and costume, lighting and makeup screwups. The backstage provides sordid tales of practical jokes, treachery, misplaced props, wild arguments, and generally the kinds of things Michael Frayn created for his farce about a theatrical disaster, Noises Off. This book doesn't leave out the theatergoers either, who snore, fight with each other, talk back to the performers, search for their seats, become suddenly ill, eat, drink, make merry, and are yelled at by the performers — all of which sometimes prompts the show to stop, even though we've always been told it must go on.
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Da Capo Press (September 5, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1560258209
ISBN-13: 978-1560258209
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #359,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #202 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Theater > History & Criticism #5577 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies
The first collection of theater's greatest blunders, from the West End and Broadway to the lowliest amateur theater, Stop the Show! revels in ruined lines, dangerous scenery, rude theatergoers, performers sabotaging each other and more.Among the outrageous and mind-boggling events during live performances:Richard Burton, after an afternoon of drinking with his brothers, accidentally urinates through his tights while swordfighting Michael Redgrave at Stratford-upon-Avon.The Second City Toronto member who took LSD for the first time feels its effects hours later...in the middle of a comedy sketch, posing as a taxi cab driver.A homeless woman climbs onstage during a production of Cats on Broadway, rubs up against stunned, costumed performers and begins singing off-key.In London's intimate Bush Theatre, an actor finds himself onstage with a petrified burglar who sneaked inside the building to rob it, not knowing it was a theatre.An April Fool's Day announcement in a Broadway theatre, claiming that Glenn Close, Richard Dreyfus and Gene Hackman all have understudies going on for them creates a mass exodus from the theatre before the audience can learn it's a joke."Mr. Schreiber's book of anecdotes should be deposited in every dressing room both on and off Broadway." -Eric Bogosian
Bought for our families drama nerd and she LOVED it. Always interesting to read about what happens behind the scenes. She stated it is a guide of tragedies to not do herself and two other family members have requested to read it next. It was a HIT!
Bought as gift for college student studying theater education, as a diversion. Short "stories", easy to read, pick up, put down. Haven't given it to her yet but I expect she will find it amusing. I did when I read a few random pages.
witty, yet succinct -- gets the facts, but makes them funny without embellishing them -- paints the wonderful picture of a stage show and then a hilarious picture not only of the disruptions, but the reactions to same -- all true stuff too!
Wow!!! What a great read for anyone who loves the theater.Brad Schreiber's STOP THE SHOW is a fun filled tome... A surprise on every page... Wonderful insights about the insanity and confusion that takes place backstage on stages around the world... failed entrances, forgotten exits, fights, improvised lines, accidents, costume failures, practical Jokes and hundreds of backstage blunders.This is a well researched assortment of theater scuttlebutt. Chuckles and guffaws abound as Schreiber opens the backstage doors to let us see all the fascinating, funny and hilarious collection of theatrical disasters and calamities.Ever friend who loves theatre should receive a copy. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
Hilarious stories that you'll want to share with others.I absolutely loved this book and am buying some copies for friends. If you're an actor, playwright, director or a dyed-in-the-wool theater fan, you'll really enjoy this book. Brad Schreiber's collected some of the best backstage (and audience) stories ever heard. I can't recommend this more highly and can't wait for the next installation. I want more!
A funny and fascinating look at just how wrong things can go onstage. A must-read for anybody with an interest in theater or acting -- or just having some yuks at the expense of master and not-so-masterful thespians. Should be handed out as required reading for those who dare to tread the boards wearing less than full body armor.
"Stop the Show" is a great read not only for theatre buffs, but for anyone looking for a good laugh and a glimpse behind the curtain. It overflows with Schreiber's wry anecdotes, and the theatrical mishaps he skilfully chronicles leave an indelible impression.
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