How to Read a Play

by Ronald Hayman

How to Read a Play is an introductory guide to the art of translating the printed page of a play or screenplay into dramatic mental images; it has been a classic among actors, directors, and writers for the past twenty years. Now fully updated and revised, the book devotes a chapter exclusively to screenplays, noting the intrinsic differences between a screenplay and a playscript and thus bringing this invaluable classic up to date.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, Drama

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Ronald Hayman is a critic, dramatist, director and writer best known for his biographies.

Reviews

[Kyle]

An impressive catalogue of impression that a seasoned stage practitioner makes about the act of reading a play. Paying close attention to the silences, pauses, unanswered questions and suggestive stage directions, Hayman most goes with the between-the-lines interpretation of a playwright’s purpose when it is really up to a director and more directly the actors to present what feels right in a given moment on stage. His additional chapter on Photogenic action is as disconnected from cinema as the title of this Chapter 11, but the author’s intention (if I am permitted this much credit) is to point out the differences between stage and screen rather than encouraging the next Akiva Goldsmith or Quentin Tarantino from taking themselves too seriously as a dramatist. Lots of great examples of playwrights from Shakespeare and Chekhov to Brecht and Pinter, to show what is capable with a dramatic range of stagecraft.

[Amaranta]

¿Marqué este libro como leído cuando en realidad sólo me dejaron leer como 11 páginas de las tantas que tiene pero es que estoy desesperada porque voy atrasada 15 libros de mi challenge de este año? así es, pero lo que leí es cierto, muy bien Ronald Hayman aunque un poco conservador para mi gusto.

[Haiden]

A book that somehow feels like an intro to play reading, while also expecting you to be familiar with plays at the same time. Great insights and an interesting approach but definitely feels like a university textbook at times.

[Tom]

Concise introduction to play reading.

[jas♡]

not bad, a bit confusing sometimes and too many references, but it definitely has a lot of good information on the topic!

[Gabriel Weaver]

I appreciated the final summary of points.

Mainly, it made me want to read Ionesco's "The Killer"!

[Anita]

i read this book to fulfill the goal read a play. I had tried to read a couple of actual plays to fulfill this goal, but was having a hard time adjusting to the writing style of the genre. I can't say that this book has helped because I haven't yet tried reading another actual play. I will soon though. It has made me excited to try and apply what i've learned. the biggest thing i learned i think is that plays were meant to be read in one sitting. I am anxious to try. look for a review of a play coming soon.

[Ann Hall]

I do think this book makes a good attempt at helping novices read plays, as well as reminding more experienced readers of drama about some of the basics. Wish there was more Aristotle, but you can't beat the Pinter references and the discussions of Beckett and Shakespeare. It's a good book to use in the classroom.

[Laura Wetsel]

This book gives you a better ear for pauses.