100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

πŸŽ‰ Meet Toy Hero - our brand-new toy store, built by the team behind Book Hero

The Tricks of the Trade

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Tricks of the Trade, Dario Fo and Franca Rame distil decades of theatrical expertise into a rich exploration of the actor's craft. Drawing from historical roots like the itinerant jongleur and commedia dell'arte, they demonstrate how performance art thrives on improvisation, mime, mask work, dance, and song. This work encapsulates a unique 'Six Day' workshop, blending lecture with live demonstration, revealing the enduring essence of the comic performer.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$4999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to theatre enthusiasts, actors, students of performance, and readers interested in the history and techniques of comedic and satirical drama.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Throughout the 1980s, Dario Fo, Italy's best known and most provocative satirical playwright, and his wife Franca Rame, conducted a series of performance-seminars around the world on the subject of acting. This book traces the life of the comic performer back to the itinerant jongleur and the skillful improvisations of commedia dell'arte troupes.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Throughout the 1980s, Dario Fo, Italy's best-known and most provocative satirical playwright, and his wife Franca Rame, the celebrated actress and feminist, conducted a series of performance-seminars around the world on the subject of acting.

In places as diverse as London's Riverside Studios, Rome's Teatro Argentina, and Perugia's Free University of Alcatraz, Fo and Rame have revealed to rapt audiences the many facets of the actor's art – his or her Tricks of the Trade. Tracing the life of the comic performer back to the itinerant jongleur and the skilful improvisations of later commedia dell'arte troupes, Fo's genius as both a player and synthesiser of the historical past allows him to resurrect before our eyes and ears a shadow performer upon whom all actors unwittingly base their work.

Using mime, masks, pieces of text, dance, action and snatches from songs, Fo and Franca Rame consolidate many months of their lecture demonstrations into a 'Six Day' workshop, a staged demonstration that is also a Fo-on-Fo one-man show.

It is released to coincide with the paperback release of Dario Fo's autobiography My First Seven Years Plus a Few More.

Series: Performance Books

View all
  • Dance Composition
    A book which has remained seminal in its field as one of the key texts in dance education. Jacqueline Smith-Autard delves into the creative arena of dance with a logic unmatched by any other creative author in this field. Speech and Drama Jacqueline Smith-Autard has made significant contributions to the development of dance in education in the UK and abroad....
    Paperback
    $7699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Improv Handbook
    The Improv Handbook is the most comprehensive, smart, helpful and inspiring guide to improv available today. Applicable to comedians, actors, public speakers, and anyone who needs to think on their toes, it features a range of games, interviews, descriptions, and exercises that illuminate and illustrate the exciting world of improvised performance. First published in 2008, this second edition features a...
    Paperback
    $5299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • An Actor's Handbook
    Stanislavski was the foremost influence on the "Method" school of acting, as developed by Lee Strasberg. Here in concise form is what Stanislavski himself said about acting, aimed at students, experienced theatre people and laymen interested in stagecraft. These collected short statements on a variety of subjects cannot replace the full expression of Stanislavski's ideas and discoveries in his other...
    Paperback
    $4500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Michael Chekhov’s Acting Technique
    Intended for actors, directors, teachers and researchers, this book offers an exceptionally clear and thorough introduction to the renowned acting technique developed by Michael Chekhov. SinΓ©ad Rushe’s book provides a complete overview of the whole method, and includes illuminating explanations of its principles, as well as a wide range of practical exercises that illustrate, step by step, how they can...
    Paperback
    $5399
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Theatre of the Oppressed in Practice Today
    How has the work and legacy of Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed been interpreted and practised around the world? What does it look like in different working contexts? The second edition of this book provides an accessible introduction to the political and artistic principles Boal's techniques are founded on, tracking exemplary practice from around the globe. Using detailed contemporary...
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • A Director’s Guide to the Art of Stand-up
    Stand-up: it’s the ultimate solo art form. Yet, behind the scenes, you will increasingly find the shadowy figure of a director. For comics themselves and for those who support them, this is the first book to give the director’s perspective on creating and performing stand-up comedy. Drawing on his own experience of directing stand-up alongside speaking to comedians and their...
    Paperback
    $4600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Stanislavski And The Actor
    Stanislavski and the Actor offers a clear, modern presentation of Konstantin Stanislavski's methods of actor training and rehearsal. It is based on the course Stanislavski designed and taught with a team of hand-picked assistants in the last three years of his life (1935-38) at the Opera-Dramatic Studio in Moscow. Jean Benedetti now reconstructs that course. Stanislavski and the Actor is...
    Paperback
    $4099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Actor's Business Plan
    The Actor’s Business Plan is a self-directed practical guide for actors graduating from formal training programmes, as well as for those already in the business whose careers need to move ahead more successfully. Using the familiar language of acting training, the book offers a method for the achievement of dreams through a five-year life and career plan, providing positive steps...
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Singer Acts, The Actor Sings
    The Singer Acts, The Actor Sings is a practical workbook for singers and actors of all disciplines, from musical theatre through classical repertory to popular performance styles. This book addresses the needs of both students and professionals, helping them to face the challenges of musical performance undaunted and to achieve the exhilarating feeling of living through song. Paired with online...
    Paperback
    $4099
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Tricks of the Trade
    Throughout the 1980s, Dario Fo, Italy's best-known and most provocative satirical playwright, and his wife Franca Rame, the celebrated actress and feminist, conducted a series of performance-seminars around the world on the subject of acting. In places as diverse as London's Riverside Studios, Rome's Teatro Argentina, and Perugia's Free University of Alcatraz, Fo and Rame have revealed to rapt audiences...
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Encountering Ensemble
    Encountering Ensemble is a text for students, teachers, researchers, and practitioners who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the history, conceptual foundations, and practicalities of the world of ensemble theatre. It is the first book to draw together definitions and practitioner examples, making it a cutting-edge work on the subject. Encountering Ensemble combines historical and contemporary case studies with...
    Paperback
    $12900
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • How To Stop Acting
    Harold Guskin is an Acting Doctor whose clients include David Suchet, Glenn Close, James Gandolfini, Bridget Fonda, and dozens more. In How To Stop Acting, he reveals the insights and techniques that have worked wonders for beginners as well as stars. Instead of yet another 'method', Guskin offers a strategy based on a radically simple and refreshing idea: that the...
    Paperback
    $5499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Observer praises the book as 'a scintillating compendium, erudite and refreshing,' while the Independent finds it 'an angular, uncomfortable, disquieting aid inspirational account' of acting. The Guardian highlights Fo's work for its rich dialect and bar-room wit, capturing his distinctive theatrical style.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780413664402

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 March 1992

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Contributors:

  • Translated by Joseph Farrell

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 124.0mm

Height: 202.0mm

Weight: 262g

Pages: 214

About the Author

For over thrity years Dario Fo, oftern in collaboration with his wife Franca Rame, has led the field in political satire in Europe. Outside Italy, Fo's comedies are often adapted to reflect local political conditions, but the essence remains the same. Capitalism, imperialism and corruption within government are typical targets for hilarious, ideologically-inspired attacks on the establishment. Drawing on all forms of popular theatre, Fo's international reputation as an actor, mime and director equals that of his writing. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1997. Joseph Farrell is Senior Lecturer in Italian StudiesΒ at the University of Strathclyde. He has writtenΒ on and translatedΒ Italian theatre widely. He isΒ theatre reviewer forΒ The Scotsman, as well asΒ the author of Dario Fo and France Rame: Harlequins of the Revolution (Methuen, 2001), and has edited A History of Italian Theatre (CUP, 2006) as well as Methuen Student editions of Six Characters in Search of an Author and Accidental Death of an Anarchist.

Also by Dario Fo

View all
  • Accidental Death of an Anarchist
    In its first two years of production in Italy, Dario Fo's notorious Accidental Death of an Anarchist was seen by over half a million people. It has since been performed all over the world, and has become a classic of twentieth-century drama. A sharp and hilarious satire on police corruption, it concerns the case of an anarchist railway worker who,...
    Paperback
    $2699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Fo Plays: 1
    Fo Plays: 1 by Dario Fo is a captivating collection that showcases the playwright's unique style and poignant commentary on societal issues. Mistero Buffo, or The Comic Mysteries, is based on research into mediaeval mystery plays. It offers a rich exploration of traditional narratives, revealing their enduring relevance. The Accidental Death of an Anarchist tackles the controversial incident involving the...
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Accidental Death of an Anarchist
    'The quality that makes Fo uniquely powerful [is] the ability to wring wild laughter out of insidious corruption' Guardian 'Simon Nye's witty translation updates and relocates the play suitably close to contemporary England. Fo is that rare thing, a far-left playwright with a popular, comic touch. And his stinging attack upon the black arts of government cover-up, manipulation and mendacity...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Woman Alone' & Other Plays
    Twenty monologues for women Twenty monologues in this volume which range from the deeply serious to the extravagantly comic and accessible to a wide range of audiences. "The pieces are comic, grotesque, on purpose. First of all because we women have been crying for two thousand years. So let's laugh now, even at ourselves" - Franca Rame "Set at the...
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    New Release
    Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    Hardback
    $4499
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    Hardback
    $7299
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • They Bloom Because of You
    Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. β€˜A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank β€˜A book to keep close and...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Leaves of Grass
    A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...
    Hardback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Great Writers and the Cats who Owned Them
    Throughout history, cats and writers have bonded together in a magical combination of comfort, companionship and inspiration. The famous authors featured here range from Samuel Johnson, whose cat Hodge dined on oysters, and Edward Lear, whose charismatic cat Foss was missing half his tail, to Margaret Mitchell, L. M. Montgomery and Dorothy L. Sayers, who rescued her kitten Blitz from...
    Hardback
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Beautiful Chaos
    The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller Selected poems from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'These words awaken the magic of life by celebrating the ordinary.' - Giovanna Fletcher Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, capturing everything...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • To the Women - The New Collection of Wise Words Every Woman Needs
    THE COMPLETELY UPDATED COLLECTION WITH OVER 70 BRAND NEW POEMS, FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WILD HOPE AND WORDS TO LIVE BY 'Amazing . . . Donna's words speak to my heart' Davina McCall To the Women is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and joy of being a woman. A love letter to our deep capacity...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Odyssey
    Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    Backorder
    Ships late August
  • Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour
    The creative journey continues with Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour by Keri Smith, the latest and most vibrant edition of the groundbreaking series that redefined journaling. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this edition brings the playful destructiveness of the original to life in dazzling full colour, adding a dynamic new dimension to the beloved prompts. Whether you're a seasoned Wreck-er,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Did I Ever Tell You This?
    In this unexpected memoir, written in a creative burst of just a few months in 2022, Sam Neill tells the story of how he became one of the world’s most celebrated actors, who has worked with everyone from Meryl Streep to Isabel Adjani, from Jeff Goldblum to Sean Connery, from Steven Spielberg to Jane Campion. By his own account, his...
    Paperback
    $3799
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    Backorder
    Ships 1 Week
  • A Thousand Feasts
    THE INSTANT #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER From award-winning writer Nigel Slater, comes a new and exquisitely written collection of notes, memoir, stories and small moments of joy. 'Nigel Slater’s prose is the rarest delicacy of all: exquisite yet effortless, filled with heart, tenderness, yearning and humour' ELIZABETH DAY For years, Nigel Slater has kept notebooks of curiosities and wonderings, penned...
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.