Braham Murray is a Founding Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre Company. In 1964, his Oxford production of Hang Down Your Head And Die transferred to the West End and Broadway, directed at the tender age of 21. From the Century Theatre, where he was Artistic Director, he became a Founding Director of the 69 Theatre Company. His credits include She Stoops To Conquer and Charley's Aunt (with Tom Courtenay), Mary Rose (with Mia Farrow), Endgame, and the musicals ERB and Catch My Soul, all of which transferred to London. Other credits include Uncle Vanya (Circle in the Square Theatre, New York), the world premiere of Tod Machover's Resurrection (Houston Grand Opera), The Good Companions, The Black Mikado), Andy Capp, The Cabinet Minister and Lady Windermere's Fan, all on the West End.

"There's a great deal of useful, down-to-earth advice in this book - some of Murray's anecdotes are highly entertaining' The Stage 'Witty, anecdotal, informed, informative, intimate and frank - one of the best practical discussions of how to approach a play both as text and performance that one could find today - a passionate, dedicated, lived and lively statement of what can happen when theatre is performing powerfully' Manchester Salon 'An easy and entertaining read that gives an overview of the job of director from the point of view of someone who has been directing for nearly half a century and points out quite a number of traps and pitfalls for an inexperienced director to avoid' British Theatre Guide 'Conversational in style, sometime stream of consciousness, the reader is carried along by Murray's enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of his craft - Murray writes for the professional director but the amateur and student can pick up loads of tips... a rattling good read' Ink Pellet "

• "WARNING 7 MOST OF THEM GET IN YO UR WAY 9 WHY DO YO U DO IT? 13 PRE-REHEARSAL 17 THE REHEARSAL PERIOD 49 MUSICALS 69 OPERA 75 NEW PLAY S 81 FARCE 85 COMEDY 89 SHAKESPEARE 97 GREEK TRAGEDY 115 HOW TO HANDLE DIFFICULT ACTOR S 119 WORKING WITH PRODUCERS 125 ARTISTIC DIRECTION 129 GOOD LUCK, 134"