NOTE: This was a starred review, indicating a book of exceptional quality or merit.

In the late 1980s, Frank Hauser, former director of the Oxford Playhouse, Oxford, U.K., gave his original "notes on directing" to then-apprentice Russell Reich, now a writer and creative director. This volume collects Hauser's wisdom and experience and is supplemented by Reich's observations of Hauser at work. Sprinkled throughout are highly useful bits of advice from some of the greatest playwrights, directors, and actors of the 20th century, including Alec Guiness [sic], Richard Burton, and Kevin Spacey.* The result is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking look at the directing process, "intended to be used not simply as a 'how to,' but as a tool."

Read straight through, it roughly follows the rehearsal process, "addressing a director's concerns in the general order they are likely to arise." The notes are numbered, and some provide cross references, allowing the reader to pursue a theme from point to point within the process. An index provides references to specific concerns, and appendixes include exercises for actors and an annotated list of suggested readings.

Equally insightful for directors and actors, whether experienced or novice, this slim volume is essential for all performing arts/theater collections -- and it's endorsed by Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen.

*Shortly after this review appeared in LIBRARY JOURNAL, they also published this letter from us, correcting a factual error...

The review (p. 102) states that the book delivers "highly useful bits ofadvice from...Alec Guiness (sic), Richard Burton, and Kevin Spacey."

Actually, while those three actors were all directed by one of the book'sco-authors, they are not among those quoted in the book. Thebook does, however, offer guidance "from some of the greatest playwrights,directors, and actors of the 20th century" -- as your review correctly states --many of whom were also teachers, students, or colleagues of the book'sauthors.

Thanks for the opportunity to point this out.

--Max Farber, RCR Creative Press, New York