Robert Leach : Theatre books

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	Theatre Workshop : Joan Littlewood and the Making of Modern British Theatre University of Exeter Press, 2006; 238pp. * Shortlisted for Theatre Book of the Year, 2006 ‘It is a joy that a great scholar has, in the most accessible way, unearthed the truths that so many of us have sought for so long. An inspiring and compulsive read.’ – Amateur Stage ‘Leach’s book, in particular, is very good indeed on the relation between Theatre Workshop and the history of the time; he also provides a clear, accessible account of the development of the company ... On the way, he also provides very good accounts of MacColl’s work as a playwright; of Joan Littlewood ... ; and of the minutiae of running a theatre company of this type at the time – as in the fascinating chapter on Theatre Workshop’s financial affairs.’ – David Pattie, New Theatre Quarterly
	Stanislavsky and Meyerhold Peter Lang AG, 2003; 255pp. ‘Leach’s archival research conjoins with his own evident enthusiasm for the subject to present illuminating insights and some exercises and ideas, which to date I had not read elsewhere. The result is a book which is not only vastly enjoyable for its clarity and linguistic liveliness, but also informative in its juxtaposition of theories and practices.’ – Bella Merlin, New Theatre Quarterly ‘A unique story of artistic struggle, as well as of personal jealousy and affection.’ – International Theatre Information. ‘ ... Robert Leach’s extremely interesting and informative study ...’ – Nick Worrall, Slavonic and East European Review.
	A History of Russian Theatre edited by Robert Leach and Victor Borovsky Cambridge University Press, 1999; 446pp. ‘One of the most valuable functions of this excellent history is to explode cherished myths ... Two of the most attractive chapters, by Spencer Golub and Robert Leach, evoke productions by audacious directors like Meyerhold ... Leach and Borovsky have constructed an illuminating and extensive survey.’ – Plays International
	Revolutionary Theatre Routledge, 1994; 229pp. ‘Robert Leach’s authoritative and invigorating account of Soviet theatre covers only seven years but focuses on those “absurdly idealistic theatre practitioners” who believed a new world could be invented ... This book concentrates on performance rather than text, and though its pleasure lies chiefly in the detailed recovery of productions, these are thoroughly contextualised and perceptively analysed.’ – Steve Nicholson, Theatre Research International
	Vsevolod Meyerhold Cambridge University Press, 1989; 223pp. ‘Robert Leach’s new monograph provides lucid and essential insight into the magnificent modernist, Vsevolod Meyerhold ... Leach employs a non-chronological approach to highlight the consistency of Meyerhold’s entire career ... a valuable and illuminating book.’ – Gordon McVay, Plays and Players ‘ ... probably the most readily-usable and information-packed work on Meyerhold available ...’ – Patrick Miles, Slavonica ‘Few Meyerhold scholars have contributed as lucid and insightful an understanding of Meyerhold’s theories as Leach manages.’ – James Fisher, Theatre Three
	The Punch and Judy Show : History, Tradition and Meaning B.T.Batsford, 1985; 192pp. ‘We have here a really excellent book on our beloved national puppet show, and moreover one with a superb choice of illustrations.’ – George Speaight, Animations