Promotional Information

The only history of English theatre's last true ensemble responsiblefor such theatrical milestones as The Mysteries cycle of plays, firstproduced in the 1980s and revived in 2000Written with intimate recollections from the writer and founding actor behind much of the company's workIn 2005 a highly acclaimed revival of the company's most successful work - Lark Rise to Candleford - was staged in LondonFilled with stories about the people and productions, it is afascinating account of a company that produced a flowering of talent inBritish theatreWill appeal to anyone interested in modern theatre and the history of the National Theatre

About the Author

Keith Dewhust wrote eight of the plays produced by the Cottesloe Company, including Lark Rise to Candleford.Jack Shepherd, a leading actor of his generation, was oneof the founding actors of the Cottesloe Company as well as being aplaywright. In 2005 his play Man Falling Down: A Mask Play was staged at the Globe Theatre, London.

Reviews

'A vivid, nuanced and intimate account of the National Theatre's only true ensemble, Bill Bryden's Cottesloe Theatre company. Playwright Keith Dewhurst and actor Jack Shepherd tell an inspiring story of the company they helped to make. Anyone who cares about popular theatre, Britishness, the alchemy of theatrical space, acting as a group process and performance as a midfield football match, needs this book.' Michael Kustow 'The Cottesloe gang were an extraordinary troupe: a company within a company that created a style of theatre that was vigorous, popular and life-enhancing. The work they did deserves permanent recognition.' Michael Billington, The Guardian 'The Bill Bryden Company produced an extraordinary cannon of highly original innovative work at a time when British theatre was stagnating ensemble at its best and sometimes at its not so best.' Richard Wilson 'Here playwright Keith Dewhurst and actor Jack Shepherd povide an absorbing and entertaining behind-the-scenes account of celebrated productions such as 'The Mysteries' and 'Lark Rise to Candleford', and describe in revealing fashion the company's attempts to create a genuine popular theatre.' StageWrite (Spring 2007) 'A glorious and timely tribute to one of theatre's most innovative companies.' Wrinternet Bulletin (December 2006)