Impossible Plays: Adventures with the Cottesloe Company

by Jack Shepherd, Keith Dewhurst

Bill Bryden's Cottesloe Company, which flourished at Peter Hall'sNational Theatre, was the English theatre's only true ensemble of thelast thirty or so years. "Impossible Plays" tells the story ofthe company and the many actors and musicians connected to it.Co-written by Keith Dewhurst, author of eight plays for the group, andJack Shepherd, a founder-actor, it explains the ideas behind thecompany's work and how the work was staged, and provides anidiosyncratic, lively and deeply personal take on the company. The search was always to find a popular theatre, a form oftheatre that would draw into it people from all backgrounds, not justthe cultured and the educated. Beginning with a Royal Court Theatre Sunday night performance in1970, the story of one company's aim to create a popular theatre formincludes such milestone productions as "The Mystery "cycle of plays and "Lark Rise to Candleford." With photographs by John Haynes, Michael Mayhew and Nobby Clark, "Impossible Plays "is a glorious and timely tribute to one of theatre's most innovative companies.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2006

About the author

Jack Shepherd (born 29 October 1940) is an English actor, playwright, and theatre director.