Playwriting: A Backstage Guide

by Dan Rebellato

This book is ideal for anyone keen to understand how contemporary plays and playwrights work, particularly those wanting to write for the stage themselves. Drawing heavily on contemporary practice, it considers moments from a range of plays, with a focus on those from the National Theatre's repertoire. The book embraces a range of different dramaturgical structures and styles popular today; plays by a diverse selection of writers; and the current openness of dramatic form. A book of tools, rather than rules, this guide provides suggestions and provocations, exercises and tricks, examples and discussions. An ideal text for playwrights to hone their craft.

Genres: Writing

160 pages, Paperback

Published February 23, 2023

Reviews

[George Laws · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might write a play now

[Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a solid guide to playwriting this is! With exercises, possible pitfalls and suggestions, it puts budding playwrights in the position to nudge that new play into its proper direction. I’ve already tried some tips out and noticed it helped me achieve what I wanted.

[Salli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book full of commonsense and cheer. I found myself laughing in recognition and enjoyed every page. A great summary of what it has taken me many years to learn on my own. Maybe I am not alone.

[Ian Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the theater. There’s something electric and exciting in the air as the lights go down and the curtain rises on live actors performing before you. It’s a medium where anything can happen, where the magic of raw emotion can have a visceral impact on the audience. The immediacy and intimate bond formed between the audience and the actors can’t be replicated with TV or film, which makes live theater a special world to experience.

For writers interested in the craft of playwriting, Dan Rebellato’s book, Playwriting: A Backstage Guide, is an excellent primer on the many aspects of writing for the theater. Despite its short length, the book is packed with valuable insights and tips that can help beginners and advanced writers create stronger scenes, better characters, and a more enjoyable writing experience.

Rebellato states, “Writing a play is always a bit of an experiment, a journey of discovery, something of a risk. The good thing about being a playwright is you take your risks in private” (116). This is a valuable point for all writers to remember. We all experiment and take risks with our work in the privacy of our own personal space.

There’s no need to be self-conscious during the initial outline or drafting phase. It’s a time to see what works, what doesn’t, and to work on developing a stronger story and characters before anyone else sees your project.

Throughout the book, the author provides plenty of contemporary examples of plays an aspiring playwright can seek out, and the back of the book includes references and further reading to expand one’s knowledge of playwriting and the theater.

Rebellato also provides several writing exercises in each chapter to help deepen the reader’s understanding of either their own work or other plays. I found the chapters on characters and scene structure particularly insightful, not just for plays but for novels and screenplays as well.

One of my favorite things about Playwriting: A Backstage Guide is that it was published recently, which means the information and advice provided are relevant for new playwrights as they develop, write, and then attempt to get their work produced.

And while the chapter, Getting it Staged, focuses on U.K. theater, there’s enough universal advice for anyone to apply in their country.

Playwriting: A Backstage Guide by Dan Rebellato is an excellent resource for anyone interested in furthering their writing skills or who’s ever wanted to write a play. It’s a definite recommendation.

[Aiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, and easily digestible book on playwriting. 10/10 would recommend

[Catrin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid and informal guide with some useful exercises and examples throughout. Time to write a play then…

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent as usual

Mr R never let’s you down…. Full of gems and enthusiasm… this needs to be in any writers collection. Devoured it in one sitting and bought too many books that were referenced

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this.